New Invention Idea
03 July 2003, 04:31 PM
#34
Scooby Regular
I've got a GREAT idea .... its going to make me £millions when I get it working properly!!!!
Honestly, it will take the world by storm ...... if it works!!
Remember, you heard it here first!!
Pete
Honestly, it will take the world by storm ...... if it works!!
Remember, you heard it here first!!
Pete
03 July 2003, 08:38 PM
#35
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am going through exactly the same thing at the moment. I have a very good idea which I think would be of interest to many people. I have made the product at home and would expect it to retail at about the £5.00 mark.
Problem is, you here so many stories about people having there ideas nicked by big companys with lots of money and know how, that it scares you away from actually doing anything about it. I have been to the patent website and confused myself sensless, looked at the BBC inventors page, asked advice from more intelligent people than me and i'm still not sure what to do.
It seems a shame that normal people like us might have an idea that could change peoples lives (and make a few million on the side) but we are too scared and skint to do anything about it. I really think there should be government help on this one.
Same advice needed here.
Problem is, you here so many stories about people having there ideas nicked by big companys with lots of money and know how, that it scares you away from actually doing anything about it. I have been to the patent website and confused myself sensless, looked at the BBC inventors page, asked advice from more intelligent people than me and i'm still not sure what to do.
It seems a shame that normal people like us might have an idea that could change peoples lives (and make a few million on the side) but we are too scared and skint to do anything about it. I really think there should be government help on this one.
Same advice needed here.
03 July 2003, 09:52 PM
#36
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: "Resp ir Ator"
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I once invented the invisible whistle - sent it off to the patent office. Never heard back - When i queried it later, they said they'd never received my letter - must have got lost in the post.
04 July 2003, 07:53 AM
#37
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well, i did offer before...
If you let me know the broad technical area you're working in then I can give you the names of a couple of relevant patent firms. Most firms give you an hour of free advice up front, so you can take your idea there get and get a feel for whether its realistic, in their area and costs.
If you let me know the broad technical area you're working in then I can give you the names of a couple of relevant patent firms. Most firms give you an hour of free advice up front, so you can take your idea there get and get a feel for whether its realistic, in their area and costs.
04 July 2003, 08:42 PM
#39
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There used to be an advert on late night TV, with a big light bulb and a voice-over saying something along the lines of "inventors, got a great idea? tell us and we'll help you get it into production." Sorry, never took down the number, but maybe a UK google search might come up with something!
I also once wrote to Kodak telling them I had a great idea for an invention and they must get loads of letters from people like me because they sent me back a complete 'Kodak inventors pack' with bespoke booklet and details! Never bothered taking it any further....
I also once wrote to Kodak telling them I had a great idea for an invention and they must get loads of letters from people like me because they sent me back a complete 'Kodak inventors pack' with bespoke booklet and details! Never bothered taking it any further....
04 July 2003, 08:47 PM
#40
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 7,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am sure I once read about a case where someone had posted their invention idea to themselves. And because the post mark and date was clearly visible, and the envelope was unopened, they succesfully defended themselves in court against someone who had marketed 'their' invention before them.
Best thing to do is post the question over on 22b.com. Adam is on his way to becoming a patent lawyer.
04 July 2003, 10:02 PM
#41
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Preston, Lancs.
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The idea with posting something to yourself for proof of something like this is that you use the wrong side of the envelope, making sure the stamp is over the edge of the flap of the envelope, so the stamp and the postmark act as a seal.
John.
John.
04 July 2003, 11:40 PM
#42
After you've patented your idea, you'll have to patent it in other target countries as well. Next you'll have to build a prototype and find a manufacturer to build it, or better still find a potential buyer who isn't going to rip you off/copy your idea.
The product will then have to be CE marked, which will involve you applying appropriate european directives. The directives could detail certain standards to which the product should comply with. This would mean that the product needs to be tested. The testing may be mandatory in some directives or by self declaration. An electronic widget would need EMC testing, possible safety testing and if it's medical then medical specific testing. You will also need a manual with the correct format and instructions, this will need to be in all languages of destination countries and must have the correct safety or standard specific wording. The packaging must be labelled correctly too to avoid import/customs problems. You may have to pay attention to green/recycling directives as well. The components that you use may well have to be approved eg the plug must be of the correct standard and the lead correct too. You'll need a technical construction file and all component certificates as well as the test reports/approvals. This would need £k's to do, if you don't then trading standards may fine you or worse you'll end up in prison for placing an illegal product on the market.
The above is why a company that takes your idea on board, will want the lions share of the profits from it. They should have the inhouse expertise to get the above right where a novice will flounder. I'd take what ever percentage that you can get away with, because the manufacturer that you've shown it to may make you idea anyway...
F
The product will then have to be CE marked, which will involve you applying appropriate european directives. The directives could detail certain standards to which the product should comply with. This would mean that the product needs to be tested. The testing may be mandatory in some directives or by self declaration. An electronic widget would need EMC testing, possible safety testing and if it's medical then medical specific testing. You will also need a manual with the correct format and instructions, this will need to be in all languages of destination countries and must have the correct safety or standard specific wording. The packaging must be labelled correctly too to avoid import/customs problems. You may have to pay attention to green/recycling directives as well. The components that you use may well have to be approved eg the plug must be of the correct standard and the lead correct too. You'll need a technical construction file and all component certificates as well as the test reports/approvals. This would need £k's to do, if you don't then trading standards may fine you or worse you'll end up in prison for placing an illegal product on the market.
The above is why a company that takes your idea on board, will want the lions share of the profits from it. They should have the inhouse expertise to get the above right where a novice will flounder. I'd take what ever percentage that you can get away with, because the manufacturer that you've shown it to may make you idea anyway...
F
05 July 2003, 02:27 AM
#43
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
am about to go away on holiday for 11 days so am not in a position to help after this post, but if you need advice feel free to email my company in enquiries@messulam.co.uk, am sure someone will provide what you need. There are some pre prepared sheets with basic advice covering most questions.
what has been said above is true in part but there are some falsehoods there.
sending yourself something in a registered envelope and leaving it sealed gives you a valid way of proving copyright. copy right is your right not to be copied and does not protect an idea, only the way in which it is written down. ie. the message that the document teaches you is not protected, only the text on the page. for example, the same idea could be described using entirely different english and the copyright in the document would not be infringed, nor would the copyright in the idea. this is because there is no copyright in an idea.
to protect ideas you needs patents.
some of the above is true but some is about 54 years out of date.
there are slightly differnt requirements for patentability in the uk and europe but in general the differences are moot points.
you need novelty, inventive step, and for it to be an invention, and for it not to be expressly excluded.
there are some things which are expressly excluded from being defined as inventions. to give you an example, computer programs (can sneakily get round this) methods of medical treatment/surgery/diagnosis, mathematical methods, discoveries, methods of doing business and a few more.
specifically excluded things which would otherwise be patentable include animal and plant varieties and inventions likely to result in public dissaproval.
a few points to note, patents are expensive and as stated above you need deep pockets to enforce them. most people rely on them to scare people away and often it works. You cannot simply threaten people though, you have to be careful what you do with your patent, the safest thing being to simply inform others that it exists rather than threaten anyone with court action.
they need to be maintained. annually per country they apply to.
best thing to do is get the cheapest start possible and attempt to market your invention, normally done by a national application in your own country doing your best to defer costs. in uk it is free to file, you then have a filing date which is all you need before you can disclose the invention to others. best bet is to get a patent agent to draft it, otherwise it wont be worth a brass farthing. Its a nasty skill to master and is why I have to train for around 5 to 7 years after gettng my degree.
you can defer costs such as search fee £135 in this country for roughly a year from filing. Your application is entitled to the protection afforded by your filing date. Anything you think of at a later date can be added to the application by refiling at a alter date, but the new matter will only be entitled to the later date, so make sure you include any possible idea which might be considered inventive as you could rely on this later for a valid patent.
once you have a filing date in the uk, you have a year to file in any other country claiming the filing date of your initial uk application as your priority date. After a year if you havent filed abroad you dont get the benefit of the earlier date. You can still file so long as nothing has been publically disclosed, otherwise the disclosure will count against the novelty of your foreigh applications.
The uk application will be published by the patent office after 18 months, regardless, unless you withdraw it and request they dont publish it.
You can save money on multiple country filings by filing a PCT application for the world or an epc application for europe. all this does is group together the common bits of the application procedure to one body to reduce costs. Once the pct matures to the regional phase (30 months after priority date in general) you still end up with multiple natinal patents, each with their own costs and renewal fees.
thats all for now, ut if you can wait until after the 16th of july I will answer what i can when I get back.
In the meantime, you can search for patents yourself very effectively for free using the us patent office website.
what has been said above is true in part but there are some falsehoods there.
sending yourself something in a registered envelope and leaving it sealed gives you a valid way of proving copyright. copy right is your right not to be copied and does not protect an idea, only the way in which it is written down. ie. the message that the document teaches you is not protected, only the text on the page. for example, the same idea could be described using entirely different english and the copyright in the document would not be infringed, nor would the copyright in the idea. this is because there is no copyright in an idea.
to protect ideas you needs patents.
some of the above is true but some is about 54 years out of date.
there are slightly differnt requirements for patentability in the uk and europe but in general the differences are moot points.
you need novelty, inventive step, and for it to be an invention, and for it not to be expressly excluded.
there are some things which are expressly excluded from being defined as inventions. to give you an example, computer programs (can sneakily get round this) methods of medical treatment/surgery/diagnosis, mathematical methods, discoveries, methods of doing business and a few more.
specifically excluded things which would otherwise be patentable include animal and plant varieties and inventions likely to result in public dissaproval.
a few points to note, patents are expensive and as stated above you need deep pockets to enforce them. most people rely on them to scare people away and often it works. You cannot simply threaten people though, you have to be careful what you do with your patent, the safest thing being to simply inform others that it exists rather than threaten anyone with court action.
they need to be maintained. annually per country they apply to.
best thing to do is get the cheapest start possible and attempt to market your invention, normally done by a national application in your own country doing your best to defer costs. in uk it is free to file, you then have a filing date which is all you need before you can disclose the invention to others. best bet is to get a patent agent to draft it, otherwise it wont be worth a brass farthing. Its a nasty skill to master and is why I have to train for around 5 to 7 years after gettng my degree.
you can defer costs such as search fee £135 in this country for roughly a year from filing. Your application is entitled to the protection afforded by your filing date. Anything you think of at a later date can be added to the application by refiling at a alter date, but the new matter will only be entitled to the later date, so make sure you include any possible idea which might be considered inventive as you could rely on this later for a valid patent.
once you have a filing date in the uk, you have a year to file in any other country claiming the filing date of your initial uk application as your priority date. After a year if you havent filed abroad you dont get the benefit of the earlier date. You can still file so long as nothing has been publically disclosed, otherwise the disclosure will count against the novelty of your foreigh applications.
The uk application will be published by the patent office after 18 months, regardless, unless you withdraw it and request they dont publish it.
You can save money on multiple country filings by filing a PCT application for the world or an epc application for europe. all this does is group together the common bits of the application procedure to one body to reduce costs. Once the pct matures to the regional phase (30 months after priority date in general) you still end up with multiple natinal patents, each with their own costs and renewal fees.
thats all for now, ut if you can wait until after the 16th of july I will answer what i can when I get back.
In the meantime, you can search for patents yourself very effectively for free using the us patent office website.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sam Witwicky
Engine Management and ECU Remapping
17
13 November 2015 10:49 AM
MightyArsenal
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
6
25 September 2015 08:31 PM