Has anyone ever registered a patent/copyright?

[Ducklakeview]

Have had an idea, which I think would be of interest to the car manufacturers, TBH it just came to me in a flash as I overtook a Renault on the motorway earlier.

So, before I speak about it to anyone, I want to "protect my interests" so to speak..

Anyone done it and familiar with the procedure?

Mike

 

[David]

There's always the old fashioned way:

Writing the idea down in as much detail as possible, sealing it in an envelope and post it to yourself, recorded delivery. Make sure the post office stamp across the seals.

Copyright isn't a physical thing, more a concept. It is something that exists as soon as an original idea is thought up. Proving copyright is the important part.

 

[David]

I should add that you need to leave the envelope unopened. This proves that you had the idea on/before the time you posted it.
@Ducklakeview

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Must be somewhere you can register bright ideas, surely. A while back I registered a trademark, all on-line and no hassle. It was only afterwards when I started getting scam letters from people claiming to be from Europe-wide agencies insisting that I sent them money to register my TM that it caused me any problems, and that consisted of filing the letters with the TM stuff. Seems the TM people publish your full name and address in case anyone wishes to contest it. Something to beware of if you find somewhere official to make your claim for intellectual property sort of stuff.

 

[gookah]

Got loads of ideas,
I have thought about making a camera, that you can also use for phone calls and text messages..
A dipstick for a milk bottle so you know how much is left in it,
A 1 foot longer van for carpet fitters...

why has no one thought of these before?

 

[t-tony]

Got loads of ideas,
I have thought about making a camera, that you can also use for phone calls and text messages..
A dipstick for a milk bottle so you know how much is left in it,
A 1 foot longer van for carpet fitters...

why has no one thought of these before?

There has to be more Pete , but a little OT from Mike's original (serious) post maybe.

Tony.

 

[Cooper]

A lawyer can assist. There is a proper process which involves a search. There are also jurisdictions so you have to search far and wide. I remember reading about this somewhere a long time ago but can't recall the details. You might have to pay for someone with the skills to do the search as it is complex.

 

[Ianmc]

Have had an idea, which I think would be of interest to the car manufacturers, TBH it just came to me in a flash as I overtook a Renault on the motorway earlier.

So, before I speak about it to anyone, I want to "protect my interests" so to speak..

Anyone done it and familiar with the procedure?

Mike

I think Q has already nicked my ideas for the JB DB5.

 

[pgunter]

I would suggest firstly getting advise from a Patent Lawyer. It is a specialist field as the wording as well as sketches need to be correct. Now the bad bit...

For every country you have to apply for the patent. Yes every country you wish to get protection in. So consider your market and be prepared for some very large invoices from the said countries. You thought the EU was one.. think again, and they want it in the local language too.

So you have to consider this..

Market
Cost
Manufacture as you will not sell an idea without proving it works.
How much time it will take.

Never share the information in the public domain and always use a disclosure agreement that states this is your idea and can not be copied or modified without agreement prior to any such work. Etc etc.

Oh and yes I am part way through three patents and two are worldwide backed by a very large US company. As to date, six years in it is just starting to make a return. So be warned. If it's worth it go with it ... if in doubt.. top shelf.

 

[5harp3y]

great advice!