Anyone patent an idea?

[FeetDown]

You want to do the provisional first.

They don't cost much and it will save your place in line buying you a year to get the full patent application filed and
offer you protection while you develop the app and you do your market research to determine business viability.

I'd seriously consider spending the roughly $1,000-$2,000 to have a I.P attorney prepare the provisional. It doesn't have to be as fleshed out as the full patent but the better it is the better your chance to get the full patent approved and stronger language for defending it.

I don't know anything about coding or apps so I wouldn't be much more help.

good luck

This. Provisional will also give you more freedom to discuss the invention with others. If you disclose to others before you file, you run the risk of having your patent invalidated down the road.

A lot of folks will also use the one-year provisional period to seek investment. Many investors will cover the costs of having a patent attorney convert the provisional to a non-provisional and handle prosecution at the USPTO. Ballpark this will run you $20K-$25K with competent patent attorney.

Also note that many apps are not considered patentable subject matter - as in, no matter how new and non-obvious the idea is, you're simply not allowed to patent it. Software is an extremely tricky area in the patent world right now and the courts (and USPTO) are still trying to figure it out. This is not to say your app is not patentable, but rather just a heads up that this is something you should look into (read: talk to a competent patent attorney) before sinking a bunch of money into the process.

[Dusty Britches]

If it is a multi million dollar idea, like you say, invest in a good patent attorney. They can help you navigate the system better and protect your idea for decades. There's a firm in Houston, but I can't remember the name.

[DeadEyeB]

Its actually an app. I've looked around and have not found one like my idea. It makes sense to me to patent an idea, or at least have a "patent pending" before producing a product in which anyone can copy it without any reprocussions.

It will cost you about $20,000 to get the patent, but when you do the idea is public information. In fact before you are even given the patent it becomes public knowledge. So if your idea is really good you might want to actually come up with a product first.

You can't patent a phone app if that's what you are trying to do.

You can patent new technology.. but not just software that you think people will like.

[tps7742]

Depending on who you work for some of the companies may have first shot or rights in some cases to a product depending on the circumstances. Good luck!

[splitfinger]

Best of luck to ya. Can't help with ideas but by all means get your idea patented. Back in the mid 80's I had a Jeep CJ7 and the Wife, Son and I were going to take it on a trip to Colorado. I had a buddy build me a rack for the back of the Jeep that would hold 2 x 48 quart Igloo coolers. While on our trip we had at least 5 guys in Colorado stop me to look at my "invention" My wife said I should patent the idea but I never looked into it. Now, the Hitch Haul and many others are out there and I believe it was my original idea. Oh well, I was born poor and most likely will stay that way.

Doug Key

[hammer63]

I used Legal Zoom for a provisional patent application and have regretted it every since. Yes, it was quick and easy but they are not a full service "get to know you" kind of outfit. They read from a script and go through a checklist. That's all. They make no attempt to understand the product you're trying to patent nor do they care about making the language "bullet proof". They can and will set you up to fail. Fortunately, I have an atty that is working to "un-screw" the situation for me. Just my $.02.

[TexasHunter83]

I used Legal Zoom for a provisional patent application and have regretted it every since. Yes, it was quick and easy but they are not a full service "get to know you" kind of outfit. They read from a script and go through a checklist. That's all. They make no attempt to understand the product you're trying to patent nor do they care about making the language "bullet proof". They can and will set you up to fail. Fortunately, I have an atty that is working to "un-screw" the situation for me. Just my $.02.

You're correct. I used them for my business trademark and you really have to make sure the correct stuff gets put in there; without actually talking to one of their attorneys, you're kind of letting them take the wheel. For my basic trademark, they actually worked out ok, but I couldn't imagine anything more complicated. The caseworker on my trademark actually called me and was able to make a necessary change as an amendment to my application; one that would be absolutely necessary for my trademark to even be published/registered.

If I had a multi-million dollar idea, I'd just invest the money in a good attorney.

[Efren]

Thanks guys. Guess I'll start to look for an attorney. It's an app that will make work in the healthcare industry a whole lot easier. Hopefully I can get it patented. Anyone know how much it cost to start an app?

[Beargrasstx]

Check out DeadEyeB post above, he says that you cant patent a phone app. I have no idea if that is true, but thought you might want to check that out before spending money