I have an idea for a small invention, what do I do next?

Answer 1

It is not possible to protect ideas but rather the representation of that idea.

To protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent

NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

Getting a Patent:
* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Make one and try it out. Check online with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or its equivalent if you're in another country, to see if it's already patented. Be cautious about applying for a patent. It costs a lot of money and very few patents lead to money. Most go down in history's "forgotten" file.

I live near the Patent Office, so I can easily go there and look things up. Once I had an idea. I looked it up and every conceivable variation on it had been patented and forgotten before I was born. Another time I was talking to a guy and he started getting weird. He said "I don't care if you thought of it first. I've got a patent on it and that's just the way it is." I had no idea what he was talking about, so I went and looked his patent up. It was something that was of no interest to me or anybody else except its inventor. Another time I tried to look up a patent online, but they wouldn't let me peek because it was still pending. Shucks, I only wanted to copy the guy's invention without paying. Once when I was young and foolish I looked up the patent for LSD. I even made a photocopy, but I couldn't understand the chemistry.

Answer 3

document everything, and file a patent application.
or just get a patent attorney to handle the paperwork for you.

Answer 4

go here.
http://www.harmon.moneyways.com/