how to secure an idea for an invention? is a patent necessary, and where do you get one, how much does it cost

Question

thank you all so much!
also, what about a license? to become a licensor, how do you get one of those?

thank you again amillionfold

Answer 1

In theory, you can file for a patent for a few hundred dollars on your own. In fact, it is impractical to do it without a patent lawyer and a few thousand. If you have a reasonably good idea that would be of use to a particular industry, then you could ask them to look at it under a non-disclosure agreement and they might patent it after.
The idea must be new - never having been patented before and not following on common practice. It must be in a specific format and normally includes the most obvious competing patents with arguements as to why they don't apply.
The patent office is considering requiring applicants to do a search of previous patents and prove it, having gotten so far behind on their searches.

Answer 2

a simple way to prove date line of an invention is to mail yourself the idea, and remember not to open the letter. the date mark will help. patents are esscential otherwise you will be ripped off and copied. remember Philips forgot to patent the CD disc and the inventors of the web never patented it either!
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ is the site to go to. good luck