How to sell and protect an idea?

Psycrow · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:08

I have an idea for a new feature for some of the more functional alarm clocks. I've looked a lot on the net and I'm fairly sure no company has ever used this idea so all is well on that front. I'd like to maybe see if any companys would be interested in my feature but I'm not sure how to go about this while still protecting my intellectual property. I plan to send the circuit diagram and feature description to myself via recorded post as proof that I had the idea first, is this enough? I cant afford to take out a patent or anything.
Has anyone had any experience in trying to sell an idea and if so, how exactly should I go about it?
Advice greatly apreciated!

Energize · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:11

You really need a patent iirc.

6thElement · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:13

There's that useful advert on the TV that says, "If you have an idea, ring this number"

Zip · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:13

Energize said:
You really need a patent iirc.

How do you get one of those?

Raikiri · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:14

Zip said:
How do you get one of those?

Patent office

Energize · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:14

6thElement said:
There's that useful advert on the TV that says, "If you have an idea, ring this number"

Probably so they can steal it.

Psycrow · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:14

How much actually is a patent?

Zip · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:14

Raikiri said:
Patent office

Where do they live?

Borris · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:16

You can't patent ideas, only products (put simplistically).

Zip · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:17

Borris said:
You can't patent ideas, only products (put simplistically).

So you need a working copy before you can patent it?

Psycrow · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:17

Borris said:
You can't patent ideas, only products (put simplistically).

So what should I do? I'm a 4th year Electrical and Electronic engineering student so I *COULD* built a prototype, but I really cant be bothered if I dont have to

Borris · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:18

Zip said:
So you need a working copy before you can patent it?

More a proof of concept.

Zip · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:18

Borris said:
More a proof of concept.

Like a blue print?

Borris · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:18

Psycrow said:
So what should I do? I'm a 4th year Electrical and Electronic engineering student so I *COULD* built a prototype, but I really cant be bothered if I dont have to

With that attitude, I'm surprised you're not already a billionaire.

6thElement · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:19

You patent the specific design. You don't need a physical product afaik.

Borris · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:21

Zip said:
Like a blue print?

Not quite - It needn't be that involved.

Either way, the patent office has guidelines.

I would suggest googling, but I've already claimed that process as my own, and the licensing is not cheap.

Psycrow · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:22

Borris said:
With that attitude, I'm surprised you're not already a billionaire.

Hehe, my idea is actually fairly simple to build so if it has to be done I will make a prototype, but its more the idea thats fairly clever rather than a specific implimentation. Are you very familiar with the ins and outs of this sort of thing?

JonC · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:24

Psycrow said:
So what should I do? I'm a 4th year Electrical and Electronic engineering student so I *COULD* built a prototype, but I really cant be bothered if I dont have to

I'm not sure if you have to actually build one, but you have to come up with plans so that one could be built...

You'll need a patent lawyer as well, so that you actually get an enforceable patent. A patent is only useful if you can successfully defend it.

jonc

Borris · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:24

Psycrow said:
Hehe, my idea is actually fairly simple to build so if it has to be done I will make a prototype, but its more the idea thats fairly clever rather than a specific implimentation. Are you very familiar with the ins and outs of this sort of thing?

Not particularly.

If you're serious, build mockups / prototypes, prove the concept, and find yourself a solicitor that specialises in intellectual property.

Psycrow · 15 Jul 2006 at 02:28

I am serious because I feel its an origonal idea, I dont however have the money for a patent solicitor or anything that sounds like a pretty big initial investment. If there is no other way I might just keep the idea until I graduate and invest in it when I have money