Inventors!!! .... no, seriously

[Robb]

:D

So I actually had a good idea for a little product I wish existed. And it appears it doesn't...

What do people really do next? Somehow the skeptic in me doesn't think ordering the "free invention kit" is the path to success. :shrug:

[Mabus]

1. Check out the USPTO website

The US Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov/) is pretty easy to use. You should check it out before doing anything else.

You can find registered patent attorneys through the website too. There's a guide to let you know the steps you should take (http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/howtopat.htm). You can also do a patent search to see if the item you want has ever been patented.


If nothing else, write your idea down in a notebook. When you're done writing, go back and number the pages 1 of X, 2 of X, etc. and on the last page mark an giant "X" to fill the white space. Go to a notary, sign and date it and get it notarized. You don't have to mail it to yourself.

I know a patent attorney (I do work for him once in a while) and I know he's talked to a few people who haven't had good experiences with the "invention kit" people.

[htuttle]

2. It depends a lot on what sort of thing it is

Is it a Hudsucker type thing? You know, for kids?

Is it a new type of technology? Something patentable?

If it's some sort of consumer widget, there's one thing I've learned from observing global capitalists: Never EVER get stuck with the goods. The merchandise is the hot potato. Keep it up in the air as long as possible. Have it made Just In Time and drop shipped, if you have to.

If you ever end up with a garage full of boxes of the things, you've lost.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Absolutely not...

unless you find out that people actually got their "inventions" produced and made money off of them.

In fact, don't even bother with a patent. Even if you do manage to get a real patent, it will cost a few grand for the process, including the patent lawyer. Then, aomeone will steal it anyway, and you have no money to fight it. Or you will lose because they'll make enough changes to avoid violating your patent. Or, you may even find out it's patented already, or something like it.

Make a working prototype and try to sell it. See if anyone is willing to back the costs of production and/or marketing without stealing the whole idea. It's not easy, but a lot depends on the complexity of producing the product. Is it wood, metal, plastic? A combination, or the materials don't make much difference? Is assembly complex? There are thousands of small businesses like machine shops that actually do make stuff all over the country.

A long shot is the TV shopping channels-- if they think it will sell enough they'll give you a spot, and you're guaranteed sales up the gazoo.

Always remember that it's not the idea or the product, but who gets to market with it first and builds brand identity. A patent won't protect you nearly as much as a good marketing campaign. Put whatever money and energy you have into quality production and marketing.

A trademark, though, is probably a good idea. They WILL try to steal the idea, but don't EVER let them steal the name.