Got An Idea For An Invention - What Next??
Discussion
Ok so I have an idea for a new invention/product which requires some alterations and adaptions to an existing product which will see it fit for a new purpose and one I think will be quite popular. I believe it will appeal to both private buyers but also potentially be attractive for large scale purchase in a certain sector.
Don't come from this walk of life, have no experience of what to do or where to go and very wary of who I speak to through fear of the idea being taken by someone with more expertise/money.
In regard to what to do next, I could purchase the existing item and go about altering it and adapting it for my idea but don't know how I stand with that in relation to the company that already produce the base if you like?
To do this I would need to enlist the help of engineering/fabrication type firm which again I am nervous about in case the idea is stolen. I dont have loads of money but really believe this product would prove popular and if I can pitch the finished item to the sector of the market I think would adopt it then I estimate I could sell hundreds of thousands of them.
So I am probably a small fish in a very big pond but would really like to give this a shot, whether that be creating the idea and selling it to a manufacturer or creating the physical product and selling it.
Any help or pointers gratefully received!
Si
Don't come from this walk of life, have no experience of what to do or where to go and very wary of who I speak to through fear of the idea being taken by someone with more expertise/money.
In regard to what to do next, I could purchase the existing item and go about altering it and adapting it for my idea but don't know how I stand with that in relation to the company that already produce the base if you like?
To do this I would need to enlist the help of engineering/fabrication type firm which again I am nervous about in case the idea is stolen. I dont have loads of money but really believe this product would prove popular and if I can pitch the finished item to the sector of the market I think would adopt it then I estimate I could sell hundreds of thousands of them.
So I am probably a small fish in a very big pond but would really like to give this a shot, whether that be creating the idea and selling it to a manufacturer or creating the physical product and selling it.
Any help or pointers gratefully received!
Si
I'm an engineer (CNC machinist) that has worked on this type of stuff quite a bit over the years, my bold.
SiT said:
Ok so I have an idea for a new invention/product which requires some alterations and adaptions to an existing product which will see it fit for a new purpose and one I think will be quite popular. I believe it will appeal to both private buyers but also potentially be attractive for large scale purchase in a certain sector.
Don't come from this walk of life, have no experience of what to do or where to go and very wary of who I speak to through fear of the idea being taken by someone with more expertise/money.
In regard to what to do next, I could purchase the existing item and go about altering it and adapting it for my idea but don't know how I stand with that in relation to the company that already produce the base if you like?
Totally normal to do this type of thing to prove the concept/have a play around.
To do this I would need to enlist the help of engineering/fabrication type firm which again I am nervous about in case the idea is stolen. I dont have loads of money but really believe this product would prove popular and if I can pitch the finished item to the sector of the market I think would adopt it then I estimate I could sell hundreds of thousands of them.
The cheapest way is to be certain with your design, so you can send out individual drawings for the parts you need. If you turn up at an engineering shop with an idea it'll get very expensive! If you are really concerned about ideas being stolen you can spread the work out over different companies.
So I am probably a small fish in a very big pond but would really like to give this a shot, whether that be creating the idea and selling it to a manufacturer or creating the physical product and selling it.
Any help or pointers gratefully received!
Si
Don't come from this walk of life, have no experience of what to do or where to go and very wary of who I speak to through fear of the idea being taken by someone with more expertise/money.
In regard to what to do next, I could purchase the existing item and go about altering it and adapting it for my idea but don't know how I stand with that in relation to the company that already produce the base if you like?
Totally normal to do this type of thing to prove the concept/have a play around.
To do this I would need to enlist the help of engineering/fabrication type firm which again I am nervous about in case the idea is stolen. I dont have loads of money but really believe this product would prove popular and if I can pitch the finished item to the sector of the market I think would adopt it then I estimate I could sell hundreds of thousands of them.
The cheapest way is to be certain with your design, so you can send out individual drawings for the parts you need. If you turn up at an engineering shop with an idea it'll get very expensive! If you are really concerned about ideas being stolen you can spread the work out over different companies.
So I am probably a small fish in a very big pond but would really like to give this a shot, whether that be creating the idea and selling it to a manufacturer or creating the physical product and selling it.
Any help or pointers gratefully received!
Si
Edited by DRCAGE on Tuesday 13th November 18:16
The normal way it works is that you get bullied into posting your idea up here, people find every possible reason why it's a non starter and won't work, you give up on the idea and go and hang yourself in the woods.
Whatever it is, don't share details about it on here and remember the hardest part is always taking the first steps. Good luck OP.
Whatever it is, don't share details about it on here and remember the hardest part is always taking the first steps. Good luck OP.
Regarding protection of your IP (Intellectual Property).....
The most basic means of protection would be to write your idea up, include all details, how you come up with the idea, drawings, dates. etc. Print this out and put in an envelop along with a copy of that day's newspaper and send to your self. When arrives, don't open but keep it safe should it ever be needed.
If you have a little bit of money, you can get the document signed by a Notary which is an officially recognised confirmation that the document and date is genuine. This will cost around £150.
But...... both are a 'better than nothing' option and in truth, neither will afford much in the way of protection compared to a patent but having them may help in some situations.
NDA (Non Disclosure Agreements) are common practice when dealing with third parties on matters of commercial sensitivities. Plenty of free / cheap templates on line. But again, only treat these on a 'better than nothing' basis.
A lot of it really comes down to trust, You can't go through business life never telling anything to anyone ever. There does come a point when you have to reveal ideas. Most companies are honest. Most business people are more inclined to help you rather than screw you. Finding this is a process of experience and the organic development of a 'sixth sense' for such.
Have you thought about approaching one of the manufactures of the 'base' product?
The most basic means of protection would be to write your idea up, include all details, how you come up with the idea, drawings, dates. etc. Print this out and put in an envelop along with a copy of that day's newspaper and send to your self. When arrives, don't open but keep it safe should it ever be needed.
If you have a little bit of money, you can get the document signed by a Notary which is an officially recognised confirmation that the document and date is genuine. This will cost around £150.
But...... both are a 'better than nothing' option and in truth, neither will afford much in the way of protection compared to a patent but having them may help in some situations.
NDA (Non Disclosure Agreements) are common practice when dealing with third parties on matters of commercial sensitivities. Plenty of free / cheap templates on line. But again, only treat these on a 'better than nothing' basis.
A lot of it really comes down to trust, You can't go through business life never telling anything to anyone ever. There does come a point when you have to reveal ideas. Most companies are honest. Most business people are more inclined to help you rather than screw you. Finding this is a process of experience and the organic development of a 'sixth sense' for such.
Have you thought about approaching one of the manufactures of the 'base' product?
cashmax said:
The normal way it works is that you get bullied into posting your idea up here, people find every possible reason why it's a non starter and won't work, you give up on the idea and go and hang yourself in the woods.
Whatever it is, don't share details about it on here and remember the hardest part is always taking the first steps. Good luck OP.
That is harsh but true Whatever it is, don't share details about it on here and remember the hardest part is always taking the first steps. Good luck OP.
I'm a Product Design Engineer and we get those sorts of walk in customers every so often, the biggest hurdle is often the customer themselves and thinking they have a get rich quick scheme and it'll be trouble free and an easy process. We had a client who assured us he would save the NHS several billions a year (he won't) and would be selling millions of units (he won't) and wouldn't be told otherwise. Be your own worst critic, make sure you know what the market is and the potential of it.
If you're wanting to discuss it with someone the first step would be to get both parties to sign an NDA which should cover your back against any stealing of ideas.
The next step would be funding, there are lots of UK funding sources which you can apply to as well as European (not long until that golden goose is shafted naturally) so have a google about.
Designing products isn't cheap nor is it quick so finding the funding is important.
Regarding IP - the patenting process is a long and expensive one which needs patent lawyers and even if you do get one granted there is more than one way to get around the patent. If someone does infringe on your patent have you got the capital to defend it? Again, the only winners in this case will be the lawyers. (Unless China steals it then you're SOL)
Feel free to get in touch if you have any queries.
If you're wanting to discuss it with someone the first step would be to get both parties to sign an NDA which should cover your back against any stealing of ideas.
The next step would be funding, there are lots of UK funding sources which you can apply to as well as European (not long until that golden goose is shafted naturally) so have a google about.
Designing products isn't cheap nor is it quick so finding the funding is important.
Regarding IP - the patenting process is a long and expensive one which needs patent lawyers and even if you do get one granted there is more than one way to get around the patent. If someone does infringe on your patent have you got the capital to defend it? Again, the only winners in this case will be the lawyers. (Unless China steals it then you're SOL)
Feel free to get in touch if you have any queries.
I don’t think you need to be quite so dismissive of patent attorneys or the patenting process.
OP, there are loads of us attorneys on PH, however I have no interest in hawking for business.
I suggest you go to www.cipa.org.uk and find an attorney local to you, most will give you 30-60mins foc, which may be enough to point you in the right direction as to what protection may be available, as not everything is patentable, and other forms of protection exist that may better suit what you have done (or are thinking of).
The UKIPO website has some very useful guides and explainers, which are also worth a look.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ip-basi...
OP, there are loads of us attorneys on PH, however I have no interest in hawking for business.
I suggest you go to www.cipa.org.uk and find an attorney local to you, most will give you 30-60mins foc, which may be enough to point you in the right direction as to what protection may be available, as not everything is patentable, and other forms of protection exist that may better suit what you have done (or are thinking of).
The UKIPO website has some very useful guides and explainers, which are also worth a look.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ip-basi...
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