Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

What does a person do when they have built a working prototype but have no money for an attorney or a patent?

My fiancée and I are, like so many others these days, barely scraping by and we have sacrificed everything we could to build the initial prototype with the intention of doing nothing more than proving a theory. Now that they theory has been proven, we are spending what little we have to improve the prototype to make it "presentable"... Luckily, this won`t actually take much. Unfortunately, we don`t have the extra money to pay attorney`s fees, patent fees or anything else...

We have considered getting an NDA and talking to potential investors, but with our limited knowledge of NDA`s, we`re afraid of moving forward without solid protection... Thus the desire for an attorney...

What are our options?

Keep the information and prototype secret until you can hire a lawyer to file a patent application.  The NDA is just about worthless in your situation.  Keep the information and prototype secret until you can hire a lawyer to file a patent application. 

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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

Thanx for the advice... I guess that`s what we`ll do... :)

Dear CarpeNocto

The library is free and you can educate yourself about patents and licenses.

I recommend "License Your Invention" by Richard Stim.

When you are ready to hire a lawyer you will be an educated consumer and get better service.

Remember 98% of patents don`t make enough many to pay the lawyers.

Knowledge is power.



 



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Massive success to you.

Terry Cantwell

http://www.protect-new-idea.com