Posted: 9/23/2010 7:30:25 PM EDT
| What is the process to file a patent on a product. How can I search and confirm that the idea for my product does not already exist? |
| You can go to the USPTO website and start searching there...Google even has a patent search feature....eventually you may need to have one professionally done..If you plan to file a patent then expect to use a patent attorney..I have a buddy that was an engineer for NASA and he still uses an attorney for every patent He wouldn't dare try one on his own .You may want to look up the option of doing a provisional patent application (sort of like a place holder until you become sure that the product will make money)..Make sure you use a non-disclosure form if you talk to anyone regarding your idea. |
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The above is good advice. Get a good patent lawyer. Make sure to make drawings of everything, and write down the dates and times you do things. When you thought of things, etc. If you have two people that you could share the idea with, its good to write it down, that on such and such a date, I had this idea, and told these two witnesses about it. Sign, date, etc. Keep that in a safe place. Get a good patent lawyer. www.googlepatent.com is a pretty good place to start. Easy to use, and is pretty good as far as a search goes. If you think it is something that can make money, then by all means, look into getting a patent. But they are expensive. Last one I did ran about $13,500. Good lawyers are expensive, but you really should be paying someone who knows what they are doing. Some ideas aren't really worth getting a patent on. Might be worth more to make it, run with it, sell as many as you can for a couple of years, and just be done with it. But I have no idea what it is you are dealing with.
*I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night, but I do have seven patents. 
Did I mention to get a good patent lawyer??? |
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Quoted:
The above is good advice. Get a good patent lawyer. Make sure to make drawings of everything, and write down the dates and times you do things. When you thought of things, etc. If you have two people that you could share the idea with, its good to write it down, that on such and such a date, I had this idea, and told these two witnesses about it. Sign, date, etc. Keep that in a safe place. Get a good patent lawyer. www.googlepatent.com is a pretty good place to start. Easy to use, and is pretty good as far as a search goes. If you think it is something that can make money, then by all means, look into getting a patent. But they are expensive. Last one I did ran about $13,500. Good lawyers are expensive, but you really should be paying someone who knows what they are doing. Some ideas aren't really worth getting a patent on. Might be worth more to make it, run with it, sell as many as you can for a couple of years, and just be done with it. But I have no idea what it is you are dealing with. *I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night, but I do have seven patents.
Did I mention to get a good patent lawyer??? Yes, very sound advice. I would also reccomend mailing yourself documentation on the idea for ip protection. |