Inventors and mad professors..

Jamie · 18th October 2007, 17:39

This no joke....have any of you good folks ever had to Patent/ register an invention before? help/advice welcome.

I find myself in the slightly unusual situation of needing some good advice....and maybe a little moral support...anyone in the freemasons?

stocktake · 18th October 2007, 19:41

Early bump, but I am hooked, surely not the magnetic underpants

GreyGhost · 18th October 2007, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

Early bump, but I am hooked, surely not the magnetic underpants

Not a good idea to broadcast details of an un-patented / registered invention. Or even to discuss it with any but your closest.

I'll have a pair Jamie.

rover · 18th October 2007, 22:00

A good starting point,with regard to the process,is the Intellectual Property Office Website."ipo.gov.uk" & download the document PATENTS - BASIC FACTS.
To pursue a Patent single handed is a time consuming process but you can put a toe in the water with a Preliminary Examination Application for £30.
The IPO Website also lays out a series of questions to apply to your idea to determine if it would qualify for Patent Protection.

JohnFol · 19th October 2007, 08:35

I looked into it some time ago as I had no desire to manufacture or sell as I want my ideas to earn money whilst I was sitting on a beach.

Apparently it is a straight forward process, but the skill is describing the design so that there can't be 99% identical products. For example at the time there were over 30 separate patents for DVD boxes!

I seem to recall that you could also get Europe wide patents to stop your average Portugese pesant nicking your idea.

One last thing, which has already been mentioned. The idea has to be new / original / your idea. By virtue of telling someone you fail in one of the categories

Best of luck.

Jamie · 19th October 2007, 14:25

Thanks Guys...sadly its not the magnetic underpants...although, Hmm.

I have had great difficulty getting impartial advice..two organisations I contacted asked for a description of my idea/invention....yeh right... as if I am going to tell them!

The Carbon trust were very helpfull and I have contacted NESTA..who support inventors and artists. its difficult to know where to look first.... but I have managed to establish that there is up to 250k worth of backing if your idea is a winner.

A former colleague actually set up a 'self help group' a couple of years back...it is an inspired idea...much like the freemasons...if you need help someone in the group will give it...likewise if someone needs help that you are able to give...then you recipricate...has anyone ever come across this kind of group? This NOT the idea I want to patent by the way!!

nisfo · 19th October 2007, 20:11

Poor mans patent is the cheapest option. Pop all you plans in an envelope making sure it is well sealed.
Address it to yourself, stick a stamp on. The send it through recorded delivery with Royal Mail, OK maybe not the quickest option at the moment. But when the letters run through the system they are date stamped.

Right I'll shut up now!!!!

GreyGhost · 19th October 2007, 20:17

Don't open the package when it arrives.

ColinB · 19th October 2007, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie-Biker in a suit

A former colleague actually set up a 'self help group' a couple of years back...it is an inspired idea...much like the freemasons...if you need help someone in the group will give it...likewise if someone needs help that you are able to give...then you recipricate...has anyone ever come across this kind of group?

Sounds a lot like this forum.

Keith · 19th October 2007, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB

Sounds a lot like this forum.

My thoughts exactly

18th October 2007, 17:39	#1
Jamie Posted a thing or two In Limbo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Inventors and mad professors.. This no joke....have any of you good folks ever had to Patent/ register an invention before? help/advice welcome. I find myself in the slightly unusual situation of needing some good advice....and maybe a little moral support...anyone in the freemasons? __________________ Finally given up trying to buy the last new rover V8 from Bristol, 2 years of haggling got me nowhere!

18th October 2007, 19:41	#2
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,593 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Early bump, but I am hooked, surely not the magnetic underpants __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

19th October 2007, 14:25	#6
Jamie Posted a thing or two In Limbo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks Guys...sadly its not the magnetic underpants...although, Hmm. I have had great difficulty getting impartial advice..two organisations I contacted asked for a description of my idea/invention....yeh right... as if I am going to tell them! The Carbon trust were very helpfull and I have contacted NESTA..who support inventors and artists. its difficult to know where to look first.... but I have managed to establish that there is up to 250k worth of backing if your idea is a winner. A former colleague actually set up a 'self help group' a couple of years back...it is an inspired idea...much like the freemasons...if you need help someone in the group will give it...likewise if someone needs help that you are able to give...then you recipricate...has anyone ever come across this kind of group? This NOT the idea I want to patent by the way!! __________________ Finally given up trying to buy the last new rover V8 from Bristol, 2 years of haggling got me nowhere!

18th October 2007, 22:00	#4
rover Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Staffs/Derbyshire Border Posts: 285 Thanks: 19 Thanked 29 Times in 14 Posts	A good starting point,with regard to the process,is the Intellectual Property Office Website."ipo.gov.uk" & download the document PATENTS - BASIC FACTS. To pursue a Patent single handed is a time consuming process but you can put a toe in the water with a Preliminary Examination Application for £30. The IPO Website also lays out a series of questions to apply to your idea to determine if it would qualify for Patent Protection.

19th October 2007, 08:35	#5
JohnFol Gets stuck in 75 Conn SE - XVWY* Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Reading Posts: 564 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I looked into it some time ago as I had no desire to manufacture or sell as I want my ideas to earn money whilst I was sitting on a beach. Apparently it is a straight forward process, but the skill is describing the design so that there can't be 99% identical products. For example at the time there were over 30 separate patents for DVD boxes! I seem to recall that you could also get Europe wide patents to stop your average Portugese pesant nicking your idea. One last thing, which has already been mentioned. The idea has to be new / original / your idea. By virtue of telling someone you fail in one of the categories Best of luck.

19th October 2007, 20:11	#7
nisfo Gets stuck in 75 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - Posts: 868 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Poor mans patent is the cheapest option. Pop all you plans in an envelope making sure it is well sealed. Address it to yourself, stick a stamp on. The send it through recorded delivery with Royal Mail, OK maybe not the quickest option at the moment. But when the letters run through the system they are date stamped. Right I'll shut up now!!!!

19th October 2007, 20:17	#8
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Don't open the package when it arrives.