Protecting an idea for a product

[buckbronco]

Does anybody know, if one has an idea for a new product (it's a kind of adaptation of 2 seperate existing products) how to go about protecting one's interest,should a manufacturer be interested in making it? Who is the best person to go with an idea for a product in the first place?
(Have no capital to get the venture off the ground etc etc)

[Lou Knee]

to protect your idea..........the patent office.......asap

about the finance side........unless your idea is to do with printing money , then I assume you do a deal with the manufacturer

[Eve]

Definitely take the appropriate intellectual property advice.

As for your idea, never approach anyone until you've got the relevant protection.

One tip is to get everything logged, all the details of your product, drawings, whatever is relevant and send it to yourself by registered post and keep the packaging so you have a proven date.

Try these links for further advice...

http://www.own-it.org/

http://www.patent.gov.uk/ (Patent Office)

http://www.cipa.org.uk/pages/home (Patent Agents)

http://www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/ findasolicitor.law (finding a solicitor - search under intellectual property law)

[Eve]

As for financing you could try this re venture capital...http://www.bvca.co.uk/

[buckbronco]

Thanks for all this. I've got to get this idea out of my head one way or another as it's driving me mad!