Re: Selling an idea...
 

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right, but he also said he can't manufacture it... if he can't create/manufacture his product, he won't be able to patent it as far as I can tell.

Seems doubtful that he'll be able to sell just his idea to any company. But, it'd be cool if he could.

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Frink, a patent application is a document... not a physical product review [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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Sure, a patent application is a document. I'm not exaclty sure what you're getting at here.

At any rate, I am still maintaining that the OP cannot patent an idea that he has in his head. He will need some sort of physical expression of his idea.

Source: http://www.ipwatchdog.com/protect_idea.html
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Unfortunately, despite what you may have heard, there is absolutely no way to protect an idea through intellectual property law. Copyright protects expression and patent law protects inventions, and neither protect ideas. In both cases the idea is the first critical step, but without an embodiement there can be no intellectual property protection.

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My poking around the internets has indicated that you pretty much need a working prototype of the "product" before it can be patented. Or, at the very least, OP will need detailed designs/specifications.

Also, OP mentioned that his product is adapting an existing technology for a different purpose. As another poster has pointed out, this will may make patenting his product impossible. Although we are given no specifics about the idea so who's to say for sure?

This is also a good read: article
However, the article is quite pessimistic towards OP's chances of selling his product patent to a company.

Re: Selling an idea...
 

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The technology behind it has been out for several years....its basically just putting it into a different type of casing/packaging and marketing it for a completely different purpose.

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I'm certainly no expert on patents, but it doesn't sound to me like your idea will be patentable. But, without specifics it's tough to say for sure. I'd suggest you talk to a patent lawyer and ask him/her about the patentability of your product. If it's possible to patent your idea/product, he can also tell you what you need to do in order to get your idea into a state that is patentable.

Re: Selling an idea...
 

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The technology behind it has been out for several years....its basically just putting it into a different type of casing/packaging and marketing it for a completely different purpose.

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I'm certainly no expert on patents, but it doesn't sound to me like your idea will be patentable. But, without specifics it's tough to say for sure. I'd suggest you talk to a patent lawyer and ask him/her about the patentability of your product. If it's possible to patent your idea/product, he can also tell you what you need to do in order to get your idea into a state that is patentable.

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Im confused....for example:
Ive seen hundreds of different companies that make those small, buisness card-sized calculators...how do they all manufacture the same product with a different name on them?
Same with office supplies, blank CD's ...ect.

Re: Selling an idea...
 

That's a good question... I don't know the answer to that.

Re: Selling an idea...
 

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Im confused....for example:
Ive seen hundreds of different companies that make those small, buisness card-sized calculators...how do they all manufacture the same product with a different name on them?
Same with office supplies, blank CD's ...ect.

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In some cases, the product is actually manufactured by the same company, but "white labeled" with the different Marketing companies brands... in this case the marketers may even provide the option for the buying company to have their name on the product (you see alot of giveaways that work this way).

The process from Idea -> Market is generally complex with alot of middlemen, each taking their piece of the pie.

Re: Selling an idea...
 

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My poking around the internets has indicated that you pretty much need a working prototype of the "product" before it can be patented. Or, at the very least, OP will need detailed designs/specifications.

Also, OP mentioned that his product is adapting an existing technology for a different purpose. As another poster has pointed out, this will may make patenting his product impossible. Although we are given no specifics about the idea so who's to say for sure?

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The key is the design specs... however, I agree with you that the patent process is complicated and a lawyer familar with the process is absolutely essential.

As for the product, if you look at the patent I posted... you will see that it is basically for a pen (or more specifically, a specific way for a pen to work) [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Selling an idea...
 

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My poking around the internets has indicated that you pretty much need a working prototype of the "product" before it can be patented. Or, at the very least, OP will need detailed designs/specifications.

Also, OP mentioned that his product is adapting an existing technology for a different purpose. As another poster has pointed out, this will may make patenting his product impossible. Although we are given no specifics about the idea so who's to say for sure?

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The key is the design specs... however, I agree with you that the patent process is complicated and a lawyer familar with the process is absolutely essential.

As for the product, if you look at the patent I posted... you will see that it is basically for a pen (or more specifically, a specific way for a pen to work) [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

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Has my ticket number come up on the Sniper PM line yet? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Selling an idea...
 

I think I have a pretty sound product. I gaurantee it would cost next to nothing to manufacture. 75% of the world could and probably "should" use a product like this. It could be huge if marketed right....but....I dont have the experience, knowledge, money or honestly the time to make this a full time endevour.
I guess what Im saying is....I need a partner....or at least some way to ask direct questions about my ideas without running the risk of divulging too much about my product idea to the public.

Any ideas?