Any of you guys ever invent something?

[envy me]

I have a great idea for a telecommunication device (I will not be specific) but I can tell you that people WILL want it, and as far as I know the idea still hasn't been taken. I just wanted to know some information from anyone that has been in a similar situation. Should I get a patent, should I sell my idea, what should I do? .... If I could only tell you it would be soo much simpler

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

I won't reveal my invention that will make me an absolute gazillionaire because then people would steal it. DUH!

 

[envy me]

not much help you are.

 

[Train]

google for some standard non-disclosure agreements. Then find people that might be able to give you some good input, but of course, have them sign the non-disclosure agreement before telling them.

First order of business is seeing if someone already has a similar product, and if so is it patented, or even patentable.
Next would be to get a good idea of what type of demand this product would generate, and what price would best fit the demand.
Then of course you'll have to get a working prototype together and secure someone to do the manufacturing, then marketing, distribution, etc etc.
Step 4... profit!

its a lot of work, but if you believe in it and are willing to put a lot of time and money into getting it started, it could pay off if its truly a good idea.

 

[AmdEmAll]

I actually have a couple of inventions but I don't have the money to get patents

 

[envy me]

Originally posted by: Train
google for some standard non-disclosure agreements. Then find people that might be able to give you some good input, but of course, have them sign the non-disclosure agreement before telling them.

First order of business is seeing if someone already has a similar product, and if so is it patented, or even patentable.
Next would be to get a good idea of what type of demand this product would generate, and what price would best fit the demand.
Then of course you'll have to get a working prototype together and secure someone to do the manufacturing, then marketing, distribution, etc etc.
Step 4... profit!

its a lot of work, but if you believe in it and are willing to put a lot of time and money into getting it started, it could pay off if its truly a good idea.

AFAIK there is no patent for this invention. Put it simply, think of voice-mail, it would be a hardware device (but the thing that this device does, could be rendered a service from phone companies [although I'm not sure that it is at the moment]) Also.. how much money would I need to get a patent?

I would rather mass-produce this device itself rather than sell the idea because I beleive I can make a lot more money (unless I can charge a % of sales of the unit). And I absoloutely KNOW 100% that this device will be sought after.. I just don't trust anyone so I want to get some advice before I pursue anything.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

getting a patent is EXPENSIVE. A patent attorney once spoke to a civic group I am in, and he basically said if you come up with an idea, there is a 99% chance someone already has an outright patent on the idea, or a materially-related patent. He recommended that if the situation arose, that you pay a patent attorney a few hunder bucks to do a search to see if your idea has been patented before expending much money on developing the idea further. He said people have patented things you can not even imagine.

 

[envy me]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
getting a patent is EXPENSIVE. A patent attorney once spoke to a civic group I am in, and he basically said if you come up with an idea, there is a 99% chance someone already has an outright patent on the idea, or a materially-related patent. He recommended that if the situation arose, that you pay a patent attorney a few hunder bucks to do a search to see if your idea has been patented before expending much money on developing the idea further. He said people have patented things you can not even imagine.

I have searched the US patent website (forgot the address right now) and I haven't found anything like it. My idea is a very basic idea, but it's not been implemented, and people would benefit soo much from it (at least more then the other stupid stuff they sell on infomercials at 4am).

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
getting a patent is EXPENSIVE. A patent attorney once spoke to a civic group I am in, and he basically said if you come up with an idea, there is a 99% chance someone already has an outright patent on the idea, or a materially-related patent. He recommended that if the situation arose, that you pay a patent attorney a few hunder bucks to do a search to see if your idea has been patented before expending much money on developing the idea further. He said people have patented things you can not even imagine.

I have searched the US patent website (forgot the address right now) and I haven't found anything like it. My idea is a very basic idea, but it's not been implemented, and people would benefit soo much from it (at least more then the other stupid stuff they sell on infomercials at 4am).

It is not that simple. A patent search can take weeks.

 

[envy me]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
getting a patent is EXPENSIVE. A patent attorney once spoke to a civic group I am in, and he basically said if you come up with an idea, there is a 99% chance someone already has an outright patent on the idea, or a materially-related patent. He recommended that if the situation arose, that you pay a patent attorney a few hunder bucks to do a search to see if your idea has been patented before expending much money on developing the idea further. He said people have patented things you can not even imagine.

I have searched the US patent website (forgot the address right now) and I haven't found anything like it. My idea is a very basic idea, but it's not been implemented, and people would benefit soo much from it (at least more then the other stupid stuff they sell on infomercials at 4am).

It is not that simple. A patent search can take weeks.

Well put it this way. If it was patented... It would have been invented. There is a large market for something like this. I know for a fact that I would use this myself, along with a lot of people I know. And I can't see producing such an item would cost very much (probably under $30). Oh well... I guess I'm on my own here.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
getting a patent is EXPENSIVE. A patent attorney once spoke to a civic group I am in, and he basically said if you come up with an idea, there is a 99% chance someone already has an outright patent on the idea, or a materially-related patent. He recommended that if the situation arose, that you pay a patent attorney a few hunder bucks to do a search to see if your idea has been patented before expending much money on developing the idea further. He said people have patented things you can not even imagine.

I have searched the US patent website (forgot the address right now) and I haven't found anything like it. My idea is a very basic idea, but it's not been implemented, and people would benefit soo much from it (at least more then the other stupid stuff they sell on infomercials at 4am).

It is not that simple. A patent search can take weeks.

Well put it this way. If it was patented... It would have been invented. There is a large market for something like this. I know for a fact that I would use this myself, along with a lot of people I know. And I can't see producing such an item would cost very much (probably under $30). Oh well... I guess I'm on my own here.

you will always be alone if you don't take the advice you ask for.

 

[JS80]

Patent costs $25k. You are better off spending that money on a pitchbook and try to sell the idea.

 

[Yossarian]

my name is on a couple patents for work. the company graciously gives us $1

 

[ni4ni]

When I was in elementary school, my gifted and talented class participated in Invent America. My invention was called "Fish Flush." It was a fish tank that had a flushing device (like a toilet.) Worked okay. I don't see a market on it though.

 

[BrianH1]

had an engineering teacher in high school that worked for General Electric and he did a lot of work on the MRI medical machines and got some patents for it through GE. i found it on the internet a few years ago. really smart guy, but couldn't tie his shoes (true).

 

[mobobuff]

If it's what I think it is, it's already been patented.

 

[compnovice]

I have filed for a patent, but my company paid for the legal fees and my company gets to keep any royalties....