I have a great idea for something that most of us moms could use. Most of my friends says it's a great idea and I should try to patton it (invention)... my hubby kinda snickers and says, "Yeah... you should...".. not sure who to put my trust in. I really feel it's a good idea and I could make money on, though I don't really know how to make my idea become a reality. If any of you have any experience, I would love to hear your words of wisdom......
Try Quirky.com. It's a web site that lets you post an idea (for a small fee) and if is bounced around the inventing community. If it's good enough they will actually build and market it. The idea generator gets the largest percentage of the royalties and they have produced a number of items that are in stores now. But if the isn't enough interest in the idea, it gets dropped.
have you made a "sample" or done a test to your friends who say it's a great idea....test the waters to see just who would buy it?
* Find out how much it would cost to make each item.
* Get your plans - details - on how to make it - down on paper.
* MAIL these plans to yourself - certified mail - I know it sounds funky - but this is your proof (and DO NOT OPEN THE PACKAGE) and store the package somewhere safe (people do this with manuscripts as well).
Contact a patent attorney to get the process going.
Contact a bank once you have an indication on how much it would cost to build one to 100 units, then get the money (if you don't have it already) and produce some units...test the waters...go to a trade show...go to a swap meet and sell your product....if it sells out....take names and start building more and then contacting the people who left their name and number at your booth and let them know it's ready.
If you can go to mass market - go to shark tank - but have your ducks in a row...cost per unit...patent pending...what you have spent so far...how many have sold so far...your list of potential buyers....what you are willing to give up (stake in company) for their help to make your dreams come true...
NEVER GIVE UP!! NEVER SURRENDER!!!
Have you consulted a patent attorney? might be a place to start.
You need a patent attorney.
My daughter's virtual business class project was seen by a holdings company yesterday and they loved her idea. It was suggested she get a patent attorney so her idea will remain her product. She presented a business plan, forecasting, merchandising, etc.
We are in the process of checking this out. I know it will be costly as because we own our own company and use legal and tax counsel.. not cheap but we plan to pursue it because she'd like to.
I would recommend talking to an IP lawyer as soon as possible if you are at all serious. Discussing the idea with friends can impact your intellectual property rights in certain circumstances as can publishing the idea on a blog or in other media. You don't want someone to snag your idea and run with it without meaning to give it away...
Also, Riley, I would really like one of those pink cubes. Sounds bad a--.
Go to Shark Tank!!!
(sorry, that's all I got)
If you think your idea is great do not tell all your friends or anyone. Because your friends will tell their friends and before you know it, someone else... will say it is THEIR idea.
www.mominventors.com
This is a legit site that has helped many Moms.
I subscribe to it.
It has great info and resources.
A patent attorney is not cheap but can help you navigate the complex laws and regulations.
A patent is all that will protect you from copycats and cheap knock-offs. You can also find out if anyone else out there has already applied for a patent - you often see "patent pending" on packages, which means the patent has been applied for but not yet granted. You still cannot copy something if the patent is pending. Before you waste a lot of time and money on a prototype, design, marketing, and so on, be sure it's worth it and there is nothing else out there.
Even if you get a patent, you will need distribution, marketing, advertising, and possibly manufacture/assembly depending on what your idea is. Be sure you have the energy and the funds for this.
The only reason I'm aware of NOT to patent something is that you believe it is so unique and unrepeatable that in the next 70+ years NO ONE will be able to replicate it on their own without your exact specifications.
Which would mean that you and your family can profit from the ongoing use and sale of said item both past the day it would become 'public domain', and to keep anyone else from manufacturing knockoffs based on stolen specifications from the patent office.
Like a time machine that exists as a solid pink cube, that any and all attempts to take it apart to figure out how it works, reveal it to be nothing more than a solid pink cube.
Have you googled how to get a patent? There should be lots of info on the Internet. I suggest you'll first want to know if it's already out there. Try googling a description of your product.
You can go to the website for the U. S. Patton office and see if it has been pattoned or if an application for patton has been filed.
Call a patent attorney!
I am looking at these answers seriously because I, too, have an idea for a product. I have heard upwards of $1500 for the lawyer.
Thanks for asking the question!
go to your local chamber of commerce, they will tell you the steps to patent your invention, and even contact you with engineers if you needed a prototype for your idea.
My husband is a patent agent (different from a patent attorney only in that he doesn't litigate patents - he just writes them). He has a webpage for his (mostly electrical engineering clients) that explains the patent process - it's at: file.ee.patents.com. There's also a Nolo Press book called "Patent It Yourself" which gives you a general outline as to how to write one yourself if you are so inclined :).
