pending "patent pending"

[crisgal]

is there a way of finding ideas for inventions that are still at the idea stage?

I have got a couple of (I think) great ideas for products, but i know even to patent an idea is very expensive.

I wonder if there is some way of seeing if anyone else is on the way to producing the same things. Anyone know what I'm trying to say?

p.s. betcha dyin' to know what they are!

[Hamish]

Patent law varies slightly from country to country but in general a patent cannot be files on something that is considered to be in the public domain - ie and idea that has already been expressed. Therefore a public list of things which are going to be patented would invalidate the patent they were filing for.

Filing a patent isn;t as expensive as you might think, however keeping the patent can get v expensive after a few years. Try talking to a patent agent - they will do all the checks both on patened stuff and suff in the public domain.

[MargeB]

I'm a patent agent. Tell me your idea, and I'll let you know. In strictest confidence, of course.

[crisgal]

haha yeah, right!

[twiglet4frog]

can u cheapely patent an item by writing your idea in full detail on a piece of paper, then putting it into an envelope and mailing it recorded delivery to yourself as the idea will be in a sealed time stamped envelope that is time stamped by a very reputable company (Royal Mail). And with recorded delivery there will be records of it then before u place it in a bank with their records of u submitting it at whatever time and date, and should anyone try to claim u have stolen an idea or takes over your idea then u can ask a court to open the envelope as proof or wont this work?? i mean i know it isnt doing a proper patent but at least it is overwhelming evidence should someone nick your idea that it wasnt there idea first?

[OBonio]

I think what twiglet is getting at is proving prior art. Sounds like a good idea to me. Anyway, I don't think there's any way of finding out what patents are pending, only those that are approved.

[Hamish]

In the US twiglet might be right, but in the UK first filing is the key. ie. if we both come up with the same way to make a fire proof cigerette and I file first I get the patent. However, if Jo Bloggs has already made one but not patented it it will come down to where the novelty is. If this cannot be proved then neither of us can patent. Doesnt stop you makeing and selling them though!

[Bigpub]

I applied for a patent for an idea. It cost �2000. And nothing ever came of it. Unfortunately, in this country there is no support for people with good ideas. Have a read of a book by Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the wind up radio. This will give you a few pointers. And by the way agents are a rip off. They may even steal you idea. Read the book to find out.

Best of luck

[crisgal]

great answers everyone, thanks!