Any inventors out there?

Question

I think I have a good idea for a new product. Not being a wealthy person how does one get a new invention evaluated without having the idea stolen or copied? Are the companies that advertise help for inventors legit and honest?

Answer 1

The best way to have your invention evaluated is to try to sell it. Now that may seem like a lame answer but please bear with me because if you are in the USA you have the option to try to sell your invention and then file for patent protection AFTERWARDS.

Those companies you mentioned, like everyone else, are out to help themselves. It is optional to them about whether or not they help you. Like all things in life you need to look after your own interests yourself.

If you are in the USA then you are lucky because you have two rules (laws) that really help the small inventor. Unfortunately these laws are not available to inventors outside the USA.

The first rule is the first person to invent in the USA has the patent rights in the USA. Outside the USA the rule is that the first person who files their patent application in a patent office gets the rights.

Next in the USA there is a one-year grace period to file for US patent from the day the invention is either first offered for sale or disclosed to the public, that is disclosed to someone who the inventor does not have a confidential relationship with.

So if you are in the USA the first thing you need to do is collect all the information you have about what you invented and when you invented it. You need this evidence to establish that you are the first person to invent the invention in the USA. If you don't have enough information then write it down ASAP and date it.

Next you need $5,000 to hire a patent attorney or patent agent to file a solid patent application. But if you don’t have the $5,000 or so needed to file a solid patent application then I would advise that you continue to perfect your invention and begin to sell your invention or do whatever you can to make $5,000 needed to pay for the patent application within that first year. Or tout your idea to investors if you can not easily turn your invention into a product because the one year grace period should give you plenty of time to determine the true value of your invention if you work hard on perfecting it and promoting it.

Now for those who are not in the USA the answer is pretty automatic: You need to patent it first.

Also as US patent attorney who has successfully represented small inventors in securing multi-million dollar licenses I would seriously advise anyone with a decent invention to find the money to pay a professional to protect their invention.

Others would disagree that opinion and tell you to patent it yourself but I have never come across a case of a successful inventor who made money from an invention they also patented themselves.

Actually I have just posted that (give me an example of a self-patented invention that made money) question here on Yahoo! Answers to see if I get an answer to it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

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.

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

Answer 3

When I was running my own industry I was earning well. When I wanted to save the people from disasters even after I did it nobody came forward to recognize my inventions. Therefore it is very difficult in this world to popularize your invention even if it is really useful.

Answer 4

Depending on your idea, you should try to create business plan for you product. There are lots of venture capitalist always looking for new ideas and product. If they like your idea, they will definitely invest on you.
Thanks