S1rst

As above, does anyone know the procedure and the rough costs involved of getting a patent?

I know you can do these searches but is they a definate way of finding out if something has (or has not) been patented before?

Of course i dont mind shelling out decent money if the patent is going to stick and im the only person with the idea, but i dont want to spending loads only to find out its already been done or patented.

Any info or advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated.

RANJ

patent lawyer mate

dojj

iTrader: (3)

i was tempted as i had a good idea years ago about something

then i called the patent peoles and they wanted a big lump of money and a cut of any profits i would make BEFORE they were going to look into it

my brother was cursing me last year when we spotted something that looked the same on the telly but we were kids with an idea and nothing else, must have been a good 20 odd years ago too

Diamonds.

iTrader: (2)

ive got a couple idea's for some bits but havent a clue where to start

S1rst

Do you know any good ones mate? Is it just a case of telling them of the idea/product and then doing a search to see if anything already exists? Do i have to secure the idea before i give them the information?

S1rst

Yeah i think thats the case, but never heard of these patent people wanting cuts of the profits.

I dont mind shelling out as im confident in the idea/product as long as its guarenteed that no one can copy it.

S1rst

Same here mate, and thats the problem. Im very suspicious when it comes to things like this and dont want to give info to the wrong people. I know theres loads of info on the net, but its all very confusing and alot of it contradicts each other.

Surely theres a few people on here that have gone through the process?

dojj

iTrader: (3)

£250 was a lot of money 20 years ago when i was barely 16 and there was a big long contract and after we'd called up to enquire they kept sending letters asking where the product was and they needed to see it and then see if it was patentable in their eyes and all sorts

it was soemthing to do with suspensino but i can't remember if it was bike or car related but they advertised on the discovery channel a hell of a lot

Diamonds.

iTrader: (2)

yes exactly or spend a shitload of money on something that is going no where or has been done

dojj

iTrader: (3)

you need to find them dragons from the den mate

cfoster

Went through the process last year and its a pain in the ass!!!! Best to deal with lawyers / patenters (whatever they are called!) in the USA. Ended up costing us about £1500. I'll dig some contacts out if you like!

Chris