How can one possibly contact the powers that be of MSN/AOL type companies?

[Syringer]

So my friend has a breakthrough idea that he believes will revolutionize the world and bring him in millions of dollars, and given that he's a rather capable thinker..at the very least he has my attention. His idea just ends up confusing me however.

Is there any way then for him, as a Berkeley student to try to present his idea to someone with the powers that control the internet world?

And no, I don't want Al Gore's contact

 

[TommyVercetti]

Email the idea to res1foem@verizon.net and i will forward to the right people.

 

[DanJ]

So you're saying he has a great idea and he wants AOL/MSN/Some other huge comglomerate to ruin it?

Business by one's self is far more profitable. Look at Google.

 

[DaveSimmons]

He needs to apply for a patent before contacting anyone, to be able to prove later it was really his idea and when he developed it.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
He needs to apply for a patent before contacting anyone, to be able to prove later it was really his idea and when he developed it.

ditto, patent it first

 

[Yax]

Originally posted by: Bassyhead

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
He needs to apply for a patent before contacting anyone, to be able to prove later it was really his idea and when he developed it.

ditto, patent it first

Right, or Bill Gates will just take the idea and call it his own.

Edit: BTW, patents can cost up to 20K. Tell him to save up.

 

[Syringer]

Yeah, the cost of patents can be a bit prohibitive here..

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Yeah, the cost of patents can be a bit prohibitive here..

Well if it's really worth "millions" what is 20K? Step one might be to do some googling to see whether this revolutionary idea is a reinvention, such as a rotating circular attachment that reduces the force needed to move an object.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: Syringer
Yeah, the cost of patents can be a bit prohibitive here..

Well if it's really worth "millions" what is 20K? Step one might be to do some googling to see whether this revolutionary idea is a reinvention, such as a rotating circular attachment that reduces the force needed to move an object.

If the idea is that good, consider the cost of patent(s) as an investment.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Patents not only cost thousands of dollars but take years to get processed and approved... odds are what ever idea this guy has might be taken by someone else who risks doing it without a patent. He needs to talk to a VC.

 

[slick230]

In response to the topic title, I believe many have been succesful by using Quija boards.

 

[Turkish]

i dunno what his idea is, but i can guarentee he will get nothing if he doesnt pattent the idea before talking to the big guys.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Xiety
i dunno what his idea is, but i can guarentee he will get nothing if he doesnt pattent the idea before talking to the big guys.

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: Gnote
Patents not only cost thousands of dollars but take years to get processed and approved... odds are what ever idea this guy has might be taken by someone else who risks doing it without a patent. He needs to talk to a VC.

Agreed, as well as consult with an attorney who specializes in patents/copyrights to see what intellectual property rights he has currently and what steps he can take now to help create some levels of protection for his idea even without a full patent.

 

[Syringer]

Yeah, so how does one get to talk to a VC?