How do you patent an idea?

[scooterscot]

I'm no coder. More research is needed on my part. I've identified an area of the marketplace that's ripe for change. And I'm fairly certain users will wonder what they've done without it. What steps can I take to protect my idea?

[vetran]

I'm no coder. More research is needed on my part. I've identified an area of the marketplace that's ripe for change. And I'm fairly certain users will wonder what they've done without it. What steps can I take to protect my idea?

wait. That way the idea will learn patience.

[TheFaQQer]

Start here - Intellectual Property Office - Welcome to the Intellectual Property Office

You will need a specialist lawyer, but make sure you are on the right path before you do that because they are expensive.

Many years back, someone came up with a new way to calculate square roots, and tried to patent that method, without discussing it with a lawyer first. That resulted in him publicly disclosing the method (because you have to publish it in your application), and then learning the expensive way that you can't patent a method. And that he'd just given his method away for free when he could have sold the idea to a company.

[MarillionFan]

I'm no coder. More research is needed on my part. I've identified an area of the marketplace that's ripe for change. And I'm fairly certain users will wonder what they've done without it. What steps can I take to protect my idea?

Go to the patent office and ask for a long weight.

[scooterscot]

Go to the patent office and ask for a long weight.

I'l already picked me up some long wave bands.

[xoggoth]

you patient an idea

Odd how when people "mistype" they nearly always put a similar word.

[tractor]

..

I'm no coder. More research is needed on my part. I've identified an area of the marketplace that's ripe for change. And I'm fairly certain users will wonder what they've done without it. What steps can I take to protect my idea?

Firstly, check to see it it's already been 'patiented'

You would be surprised what Xerox and the other big players were patenting in the 70's just on the offchance that the technology was developed that would make the idea feasible. Especially around human/device interfaces.

[tomtomagain]

Personally I wouldn't worry about someone stealing your idea.

If they are going to nick it, then there is very little you can do about it unless of course you have access to very expensive legal counsel. And deep pockets.

Just get on with it and turn the idea into reality.

[DodgyAgent]

How do you patient an idea?

Put it into a hospital

[scooterscot]

Odd how when people "mistype" they nearly always put a similar word.

odd indeed. I call it laziness