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How do I finance and protect my invention?

Postby josh » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:09 am

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I have an idea for a invention that everyonr likes and I want to do something with. You see, I don't have the knowledge of how to make a working proto type or even explain the workings. So I figured if can raise the money some how to pay an engineer to make a proto type for me. So what I'm asking is how do I get the financing to pay an engineer and file a patent but also protect my idea? As far as protection, I was thinking a Non-Disclosure agreement between the engineer and until I can get a patent? I really need feedback on this, thank you.

Postby Scrupulous » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:57 pm

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Josh, when you say everyone likes it, do you mean that you have explained it to a lot of people and they like it, or do you just mean in general?

If a bunch of people like it, maybe a few of them can point you in the right direction on how to build one. On the other hand, if they all do already like it, then what makes you think you need a prototype at this point?

By the way, if its in the electronics industry, I would do some research first, to see if it has already been done.

everyone likes it.

Postby josh » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:58 am

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Scrupulous wrote:Josh, when you say everyone likes it, do you mean that you have explained it to a lot of people and they like it, or do you just mean in general?

If a bunch of people like it, maybe a few of them can point you in the right direction on how to build one. On the other hand, if they all do already like it, then what makes you think you need a prototype at this point?

By the way, if its in the electronics industry, I would do some research first, to see if it has already been done.


Everyone in my family that is. And they gave me unbiest oppinions, knowing my family thier honest with there views and have a good sense about when it comes to things like this.
There are simular things to my invention but as far as and all the people that I trusted enough to share my idea with, there isn't anything near simular enough.
What I wanted to know is how can I raise the money to pay an engineer to build a proto type a get a patent? And what can I do to protect my idea before I can get a patent? I was thinking a non-disclosure agreement? thank you.

Re: everyone likes it.

Postby CriterionD » Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:51 am

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josh wrote:Everyone in my family that is. And they gave me unbiest oppinions, knowing my family thier honest with there views and have a good sense about when it comes to things like this.


Just to chime in here....many inventors say stuff like this. Generally it doesn't mean much.

I am not trying to be discouraging, nor am I inferring that your family's input is useless or that their opinions are probably dishonest or off-base. I am just getting at, if you are talking to a community of inventors, or talking to someone who deals with inventors and what not, they hear stuff like that all the time. You can't give them the "everyone who has seen it loves it" line and expect them to care about that. They won't necessarily assume that you got bad feedback, but stuff like that is taken with a grain of salt and if you say it like its supposed to mean much it can put you in a bit of a naive/inexperienced light.

Financing? How badly do you want it and whats your credit rating? Or, put together a full scale business plan and try to get funding. Really, there is no easy answer to such a general question.

If you do end up hiring an engineer, or find someone to help, do realize that in order to patent what you have you do need to be able to explain how it works, i.e. be able to instruct others in terms of building it themselves.

Postby Scrupulous » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:49 pm

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Yeah.

Josh, it sounds like your best bet is to do a USPTO website search...

Patent Searching 101

That might give you the best information you can find, before you spend any money.

Either way, don't worry about NDA's so much, because they are practically meaningless. What matters more is whether or not the person you disclose your idea to is willing and able to jack you. Believe me, it happens. Having a signed NDA makes almost no difference.

I would say most licensed engineers can be trusted. Just remember, without doing any research, you might be paying them for work that winds up being wasted.

Just do the search. You'll probably enjoy it...

cron