Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have an idea concerning something that I don`t believe exsist yet, or at least I have never encountered one yet. It may exsist but I don`t think so. How would I go about researching the Idea without letting the cat out of the bag so to speak? I have invented before only to have it stolen from me. Please help !

Start with a Google search, as well as MSN and Yahoo!, to see if the thing exists, or something similar.

If it really doesn`t, then put together a prototype, to prove it can be made and how it works. After that, you can speak with an attorney to see about patenting, copyrighting, or trademarking issues. At that point, you should have a business plan as to what you intend to do with the thing.

It`s quite possible a product doesn`t exist yet, but that doesn`t mean it should.

The most important Q is whether it solves a big problem at an affordable price.

A minimum to protect yourself is to document the date of your invention and have it witnessed by 1-2 trustworthy non-relative persons.  It takes a lot more than just a good idea to make any money from it: prototyping, manufacturing, marketing etc...All that cost money, a lot of it, before one sees a profit, if ever.

Browse inventnet.com archive to get smart about inventing/patenting etc...




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As I`ve said in other posts, an analogy is the "idea" of going fishing. Not everyone likes to fish, so not everyone has the idea they would like to go out and fish.

Of those who do like the activity, only some people have the capability or the knowledge of how to fish. Then, of that percentage, there comes the desire to actually get in the car, pile in the gear, find a body of water, and go.

Having arrived, some of that remaining group will choose a boat, others to fish from the shore. Some will have the right lures or bait, others won`t. Some will arrive on a day when the fish are active, others on days when the fish aren`t active at all.

So to get from, "Hey! I`ve got an idea! Let`s go fishing!" to actually casting a line into the water takes some real actions. Then, there isn`t any guarantee at all that anyone will catch fish. Excepting Crocodile Dundee, who uses explosives in the waters. :-D

1. speak to a patent attorney

2.  stay away from invention promotion firms or "developers"

 

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

Thanks for the advice.....

Great analogy or comparison... Loved it!

Yes I agree with your words on the matter. There are no garentee`s ever.

I will continue my research on the idea and proceed carefully.

Agree.... Thanks for the info and advice..