I almost let the cat out of the bag

[sb47]

I had typed up something and almost posted it, then, I thought. Wait just a min. This may be too good to just give away.
I started doing something this year and discovered I may have a great idea.
How do you pitch an idea and protect that idea?
A patent came to mind but there expensive and take time and you still have to tell someone about your idea.
We've all heard it before, but I think it's a very strong idea and if marketed properly, could be worth a lot of money.
The problem is, you have to reveal the idea in order to get feed back on if it will sell.
I have a prototype that works and I have been testing it with great success.
Where do I start?

 

[Streblerm]

Write it up and mail it to yourself but don’t open it. A postmark is a legal time stamp. It isn’t the same as a patent but it will hold up in court should you find yourself there defending the idea as yours in the future.

 

[sirbuildalot]

First make sure there isn't a patent for it already. If not make a prototype and go from there

 

[dave_dj1]

trademark it.

 

[Little Al]

Whatever you do you will be ripped off if your "invention "is any good. I designed a tool for doing an aircraft servicing job I registered with a trade mark & marketed it. 20 days later a rival tool identical in every way but the size of the bolts used for pulling the component was launched cheaper than mine to cut the long & expensive tale short my claim of copyright infringement was dismissed as the bolts were not the same as on mine so it was NOT a copy I ended up losing a lot of time ,thought & money & if the Chinese nick your idea even if the authorities find in your favor & fine & order them to cease production the fine is never paid & the product keeps on being made & marketed

 

[echomeister]

You have to file a provisional patent before disclosing anything. You then have one year to apply for a true patent. The prov will cost around 1000 if you find a decent pat attorney.

 

[unclemoustache]

Write it up and mail it to yourself but don’t open it. A postmark is a legal time stamp. It isn’t the same as a patent but it will hold up in court should you find yourself there defending the idea as yours in the future.

Yes, but make sure it is certified or registered mail that requires a signature. Use a USPS mailer envelope (not easy to fake) and maybe also have a notary sign the document before you send.