Anyone ever invent anything for market?

[Texastaxi]

First step is talking to a patent attorney, they will charge you about 10k to make sure there isn't anything else out there like it. After that if you have something that you can patent and can find a company to make it you could be the next inventor millionaire.

My brother had a patent search done for a medical device he's working on.
It cost him about $2,000, to have the search done by a patent attorney.

[clov]

I had an ideal for a product and it cost me $650 for a patent search and there was nothing that did what my product was to do BUT there were other products that worked in the same manner that mine did so I was denied because they said it would be of normal practice for the other products to come up with the same use for their product as I did

[Extremebowman]

I had an ideal for a product and it cost me $650 for a patent search and there was nothing that did what my product was to do BUT there were other products that worked in the same manner that mine did so I was denied because they said it would be of normal practice for the other products to come up with the same use for their product as I did

That makes sense. I guess that could be said about most things.

I guess maybe a patent wouldn't be in order for "my" product. As an example, Although Marauder is the best hog light out there (sponsor plug), they are not the only hog light out there. Say I had an idea for another design that would make the Marauder fit another purpose using the same basic pieces. What would be the best way to approach a company with the idea, without them just saying thanks and making a boatload of money off of your idea? Is there a way to protect your idea? Or does that get into the "intelectual property" thing?

[Snacks]

I don't know what it is but I will take three

[nck]

looking for an investor? maybe get me closer to owning a ranch eh?

[Extremebowman]

looking for an investor? maybe get me closer to owning a ranch eh?

Actually your investment would get me closer to owning a ranch, how much ya got?

[txdukklr]

you can look at legal zoom for cheaper help on a patent.

[outdoordaddy]

IF it's hunting related I will go ahead and take 6...and 6 of the new model you come up with after the original!

[White Falcon]

Make a drawing and a working model. Take several pictures at all angles, date everything. Then Mail it to your self registered. This way your idea is safe till you decide what you want to do.

[Extremebowman]

Make a drawing and a working model. Take several pictures at all angles, date everything. Then Mail it to your self registered. This way your idea is safe till you decide what you want to do.

Eh? I guess by mailing it to myself via registered mail and not opening it, it somehow becomes a "sealed time capsule"? Never thought of that, if that is what you mean? But with it not being "registered" somehow does all of that matter? I like the way you think, just trying to figure out what it all means.

[Grayson]

I would consult a patent attorney, who has a legal and ethical obligation to me through the attorney-client relationship, before I had a machine shop or other third party, with no legal obligation to keep my product a secret, make me a prototype.

[nck]

Actually your investment would get me closer to owning a ranch, how much ya got?

alot if your ranch will only have a few acres

[Chuey]

have you considered an investor ?

[nck]

Eh? I guess by mailing it to myself via registered mail and not opening it, it somehow becomes a "sealed time capsule"? Never thought of that, if that is what you mean? But with it not being "registered" somehow does all of that matter? I like the way you think, just trying to figure out what it all means.

this doesn't prevent anyone else from making the same invention and making cash.

it could prove you had an idea

[Extremebowman]

have you considered an investor ?

I have, and I have one that would be in to help get started. Although this product could be a "stand alone" product, I think it would actually fit better into a line of products, does that make sense? So it seems to me that if I can find a manufacturer already producing the products that this could fit into, that would be the most efficient way go? I just need to figure out how to approach the manufacturer so "my" product is protected. I guess it all boils down to trust without a patent, which may be my only ave since other products could be converted to do the same purpose as Clov said. But they haven't made the conversion, that is what I have come up with.

I have come up with many ideas over the years that have gotten the "that's cool" comment from people. This one I think could actually sell, but once again, I'm biased ...