Hi I have idea that google, msn, yahoo might be intersted in. What could you advise for begginer inventor I'm from european union, and want to start with US non-provisional patent or patenting first in my country would be more adviseable? I woul'd like to hear especialy from people that patented something and best made a profit form licensing or selling their patent or people that have some experience in licensing other peoples patents.
Long road ahead. First you have to make patent apllication and do one for each country. Next you have to pay for each one to be reviewed. If they are similar to any other patent you have to prove yours is new idea. Hardest things is patent search hire someone to do that. Making patent application is hard because you have to word it so you describe it a little but not so well that you rule out other ways of doing same thing. Your trying to make your patent cover every possible angle of the ideas you can. Hire a good lawyer from real company not some internet company or tv company. Figure $10,000 to start then more if you have to build it. Most companies hate to buy a patent they would rather figure out way to do same thing that patent does not cover. If your going to really get a patent plan on making the product yourself. I have done my own patents and know others who have them. It can be done but is alot of work more than you can ever imagine.
i think i'll go for non-provisional patent first, then use this tool by myself to earn money and then apply for utility patent, i hope i'll make enought to cover utility patent cost so thanks for advise i appreciate it.
Also I would recommend you to timestamp your ideas using services like www.digistamp.com. It will help you to prove that you are the creator and the date when it was created. The charge for a single time stamp is 40 cents (USD $ 0.40). There is a $10 minimum for additions to your account using your credit card. Quote from their site. >>>>> Writers, graphic artists, photographers, and other creative sorts If your file is essentially your product, you know the anxieties of protecting your work. You've mailed disks or print-outs to yourself in sealed envelopes, or recorded your ownership with the copyright office-or just trusted to blind luck. You've shredded early drafts and divided the remains between different garbage cans. You've refused to get help from others for fear someone would steal your ideas. Now, all you have to do is TimeStamp your files. A page, an image, a chapter, a draft-whatever. If it's on the computer, you can TimeStamp it-and never, ever worry again about proving that you're the creator. >>>>>
Well, first off a non-provisional patent is a utility patent. Did you mean a provisional patent? Listen to rcj662 and hire a competent patent attorney or patent agent. The first thing he or she will do is a prior art search. It may turn out that your idea isn't as original as you think, and finding that out at the beginning of the process is best. Also, a poorly written patent is pretty much worthless. Patents are written in a different language that only appears to be English - there are very specific terms you need to use (correctly). Once your patent application is published it's out there in the open for anyone to read, so you need the best protection possible. There is a lot more information on US Patents here: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/utility/utility.htm http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/provapp.htm http://www.uspto.gov/main/definitions.htm
I think you meant a provisional patent. If you are sure that the actual patent is not going to differ substantially from the provisional patent -> go for provisional patent. Try to generate some revenue from your idea, and meanwhile, approach the targetted buyers. If not, you may have to apply for a full utility patent. PM me if you need further information. Cheers, Me.
Like others, I think you are refering to a Provisional Patent Application. The question about whether to file in your country first is impossible to really answer without knowing at least the subject matter of your invention and what country you are in. If you think that Google, Yahoo and MSN might be interested I suspect that your invention might be one that is not likely to be patentable in many European countries. In the US you can patent just about anything, including business methods, software and even living matter. The patent process is not inexpensive, but you can get a provisional patent on file in the US for a reasonable price. Take a look at LegalZoom. I have a working relationship with them and they offer a self-help type service. They can get you a US patent search, professional patent drawings and help you create a draft application. You can also get a patent attorney to review your application twice and provide suggestions/comments. I am the patent attorney that reviews the applications. It is a good service, and based on a system that I have used for years to help inventors. The price is in about the $1000 to $1200 range, which is a great price for what you get. Starting with a provisional application makes sense because it gives you 12 months within which to determine whether spending the money on a non-provisional patent application makes sense. If you have any questions let me know. You can also check out my website at Intellectual Property. Good luck. -Gene Patent Attorney & Founder of IPWatchdog.com
There are a lot of rules with timelines in getting a patent and costs can go above $100K for a full patent. Read about it on the USPTO.gov. Most lawyers give a free initial consultation so you might want to use that. If your idea is based on a REALLY unique concept i know some VC firms in California that might provide you with some seed money and advice.
I would establish a provisional first; only a couple of thousand dollars, and then determine if Microsoft/Google, et alias would be actually interested. Then you can spend the big bucks on further patent work. Hoping that a random idea, no matter how good, will be quickly bought up is very unlikely.