Product inventions

[threadhead25]

I have an idea for a product invention. I was wondering how I go about approaching manufacturers for it. IT is a prodcut that is already in exsistence, but my idea is how to add more to it to improve it for customers. Would i approach manufacturers and say I have an idea? do i have to copyright the idea or get a patent?the end result will be a new product, but it is based on an exsisting one.Im young and would appreciate any advice on how to get my ideas into production and how to protect my idea so I can make the money from it.

[Octavius]

You might find some useful hints on this link:

http://www.nesta.org.uk/howtoapply/inventorshandbook/ii_handbook1.html

[banjowizard]

Dont tell ANYONE about your idea until you have looked at coverning the item with a patent of some kind. The British patents office will give a basic patent for free but in the long term they are not strong enough to stop a large company from using part of you idea if it is any good. Remember these comapnies pay tens of thousands of pounds a year just to patent lawyers who specialise in this kind of thing.

I did an Engineering Product Design degree many years ago and have heard many stories of people getting ideas stolen. Some colleagues of mine have had good ideas under their belts for ten years or more but are waiting until they can afford a solid patent through a patent lawyer.

Be careful.

ask at the patents office, im sure they will help.