Patenting an idea.

[andydingdang]

I have an idea for a new product. I don't have a prototype just and idea in my head. Is there anything I can do to stop anyone having the same idea and selling it to another company. My idea is like an additonal range to an exisitng product. I guess what I am saying is could I right down on a peice of paper exactly what the idea is and then get it made legal so if anyone did something simular I could make money from it. Sorry if this make no sense.

[jammiedodger]

yes u can, i do believe u have to get in contact with a patent attorney, just google them in ur area and see what comes up! sorry im not of much help!!

[funnygirl]

Be careful about handing over money though!
I have heard some of them rip you off.
I read Alan Sugar's page in the Mirror on Wednesdays, he is full of useful tips.

[Oneeyedvic]

DO NOT DISCUSS THE IDEA WITH ANYONE.

If you do you will not be able to get a patent on it.

Contact an IP who should be able to help you and give you guidance.

[Gmcd01]

It isn't possible to know on the facts given whether you have a patentable idea. The judicial position on this is that:

'You cannot patent an idea, which you have simply conceived or have suggested no way of carrying out, but the invention consists in thinking of or conceiving something and suggesting a way of doing it'.
(LJ Buckley, per Hicton's Patent Syndicate (1909))

As the above post succinctly surmises, you must not make a prior disclosure of your 'idea' (But note that telling somone about idea X wouldn't matter as neither of you could patent it if you cannot carry it out.)

As you state you have 'only' an idea, it is imperative that you know exactly how it would work! If given the materials right now, you could construct it, then write down how to do it and you're almost there. For example, I cannot patent a time machine if all I do is think 'wouldn't it be great if...'

If you have say, a blueprint, you must still satisfy some quite strict criteria regarding 'inventive step' and 'the state of the art', but I won't go into that unless you repost and you do have the necessary plans.

Good luck!

[C_H_U_B_B]

You need to document everything, to make clear it is an original design/idea. As mentioned above, don't tell anyone!

For more info visit http://www.ipo.gov.uk/patent.htm