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Idea for a product. Where do I start?

19 replies

Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 16:44

I have what I think is a good idea for a product.
It would be for the health/care sector just in case that makes any difference.
Where on earth do I start re getting the idea off the ground?
I wouldn’t want to run a business or anything so is there any way that I can get my idea patented and sell the idea of the product to a company or something? ( in order to eg get the product made and mass distributed if it was thought to be a good idea) Thanks..

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 06/07/2020 16:51

So you want a company to pay you but for you to do none of the work?

parietal · 06/07/2020 16:52

it will cost money to get a patent - you need to hire a patent lawyer etc.

do you know this thing works? do you have a prototype that works?

if you are making health claims, do you have the data to back them up?

[my only knowledge comes from watching Dragon's Den]

Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 16:57

Parietal- it’s quite a simple idea so no problems with knowing how it works etc Depending on how much a patent lawyer costs I could go down that route. Has anyone experience of using a patent lawyer ?

Hollowtalk- surely there are people who have thought of an idea but not been involved in producing the product?

OP posts:
Cuddling57 · 06/07/2020 17:14

How exciting!
You need to watch some episodes of Dragons Den Grin.

prh47bridge · 06/07/2020 19:14

So you want a company to pay you but for you to do none of the work?

The OP has come up with the idea. If it is a patentable idea that is enough work to justify being paid.

@Hellothere2345 - If you don't get a patent your idea will be unprotected. Anyone will be able to copy your idea. You absolutely must get it patented (assuming it is a patentable idea) before talking to anyone about it.

PenOrPencil · 06/07/2020 19:21

You will have to spend some money to talk to a patent lawyer and get your idea patented. Once you have done that you can approach companies to buy your patent from you.

Do not talk to anybody or show anybody your product! Sometimes companies “invent” things they have seen or been presented with in the past... Iirc that happened with the Mercedes single windscreen wiper.

Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 20:20

Thank you all so far... so first step basically is to contact a patent lawyer...
As I said, it’s a very simple idea but hopefully I can still sell the idea even though it’s simple
I guess it would then be a case of approaching companies I think are suitable or who I think would be interested?

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 06/07/2020 20:29

You have to get a patent for every country you wish to be protected in you are looking at 1.5 to 5k for the UK and more for overseas.

Footle · 06/07/2020 20:36

Friend of friend has company that develops people's ideas. Fearsome Engine in Glasgow. This is not an advert, I know nothing else about it.

PawPawNoodle · 06/07/2020 21:15

I would think the very first step would be confirming that the product definitely doesn't already exist

Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 21:31

Polpotnoodle- I’m fairly sure the exact product I’m thinking of doesn’t exist

OP posts:
Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 21:31

Footle- thanks- I’ll look at their website..

OP posts:
Hellothere2345 · 06/07/2020 21:32

Lonecat- yes, it will be an expensive business I guess..

OP posts:
LifeSpectator · 07/07/2020 17:19

Contact CIPA the charted institute of patent attorneys they run clinics where they give free advice around the country as they are currently not running clinics, they may have some online advice they can direct you to, or let you know when there will be clinics back up and running.

Google patent attorneys in your area and contact them enquiring if they provide an introductary session for free, most do. A lot will do this happily over the phone. Just explain that you need more information.

In meantime do not disclose your idea generally to the public, but its fine to discuss it with a patent atttorney.

You can get advice through the goverment website gov.uk how to do searches to find out if the idea isn't already covered. But just becauase you haven't seen something before doesn't mean its a patentable invention. Thats where talking to an expert will help.

Someone above has said it will cost a lot to get a full patent in lots of countries, this is true but you dont need a full patent you just need to get an application on file, and then you will have a certain time period to promote or sell the invention. You can have a clear idea of what you need to put in upfront to assist in approacing third parties who may be interested in buying the idea from you.

This time is good for you to open discussions as they cant see what you have covered by your patent and therefore dont know if they can invent around it , There will come a time when you then have to decide if its worth proceeding with further which would be where major outlay would be.

LifeSpectator · 07/07/2020 17:20

this link may help
www.gov.uk/patent-your-invention

Cuddling57 · 07/07/2020 22:57

Keep us updated OP and good luck!

Hellothere2345 · 07/07/2020 23:00

LifeSpectator- thank you so much for this information, that really helps :)

Cuddling57- thanks!

OP posts:
Bluemoooon · 07/07/2020 23:07

You used to be able to do your own patent. And be able to search patents to see if it's already been done.

You still can www.gov.uk/search-for-patent

prh47bridge · 08/07/2020 00:12

It is still possible to file a patent without legal advice but it is risky. If you get things wrong it may be impossible to correct the error. If your patent is not drafted correctly it may not give you the protection you want. So, although you can do it yourself, I wouldn't recommend it.

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