How do I register an invention?

[Speicher]

A thread on this subject earlier this has pointed me to a website for inventions.

I do not want to "bump" that particular thread, in order to retain the anonimity of that poster.

However, when I start to search to see if there is a similar item, I cannot do that without very nearly describing the gadget/invention that I have in mind. Is there someone on this forum who can point me in the right direction how to start this process.

 

[Piemaster]

Its my naan bread pizza isn't it.
I knew I shouldn't have posted it here

 

[Speicher]

Thank you Crock. I know enough science to work out how this invention will work, but not enough to do a technical drawing.

There must be other people who have a good idea, but no skills in Cad.

 

[Speicher]

Its my naan bread pizza isn't it.
I knew I shouldn't have posted it here

Funny you should mention that....

I was planning on trying that for tea on Thursday. Got some Naan, and tomatoes, still need cheese and spicy sausage.

 

[User169]

The IPO is a good place to start. Also, the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents runs clinics (at least it used to) where you can get some initial free advice (www.cipa.org.uk).

 

[Archie_tect]

Thank you Crock. I know enough science to work out how this invention will work, but not enough to do a technical drawing.

There must be other people who have a good idea, but no skills in Cad.

Speicher, I could do your CAD drawing... promise to keep my eyes closed.

 

[mark barker]

Thank you Crock. I know enough science to work out how this invention will work, but not enough to do a technical drawing.

There must be other people who have a good idea, but no skills in Cad.

You don't need any drawings to apply for a patent. I used to work for the IPO and many applications are presented without drawings or just a few hand drawn images. The key is to explain the function of the product, how you believe it will work (an item doesn't actually have to work to get protection!) and what you believe is the unique feature of the invention.

The hardest part of applying is getting the unique feature right. Too vague and the IPO will throw it out, too specific and you'll have very little protection from others copying your idea.

 

[Speicher]

You don't need any drawings to apply for a patent. I used to work for the IPO and many applications are presented without drawings or just a few hand drawn images. The key is to explain the function of the product, how you believe it will work (an item doesn't actually have to work to get protection!) and what you believe is the unique feature of the invention.

The hardest part of applying is getting the unique feature right. Too vague and the IPO will throw it out, too specific and you'll have very little protection from others copying your idea.

That is reassuring Mark. Despite Archie_tect's kind offer of help, I am not sure that doing it with his eyes closed would produce a better drawing than I do could myself.

May I ask a (possibly) silly question then, Mark? If I submit drawings for a patent to be protected, are there protocols in existence to stop someone saying "This will not work/is no good" but then adopting the idea as their own?

On cipa.org.uk there is mention of an office in Worcester. The nearest free clinics are in Newport.

 

[User169]

Here's an Example of a drawing from a US patent (granted I might add):

 

[Speicher]

The mind boggles as to quite what that is supposed to do.

 

[Over The Hill]

I would add that there is quite an art in how the thing is described. You can pick this up fairly well from other patents.

On the good side, it does (or at least used to) cost almost nothing to get a years priority on an idea to then see if it has legs.

Floating around the patent office are three "inventions" in my name. Two turned out to be not as new as I thought so only had a marginal inventive step.

Another time I thought I had invented cats eyes that changed colour when it was icy but soon found about a dozen similar ideas, the first only a few years after the original cats eye patent.

I do still lay claim to being the first person for 2000 years to invent a new type of sundial. But who wants a new type of sundial!

 

[longers]

But who wants a new type of sundial!

Is it free?

I've been working with someone who did counterfeit clothing and have been told that to copy something "legally" you need three physical differences. I'm guessing it's a bit more complicated than that!

 

[Over The Hill]

That is reassuring Mark. Despite Archie_tect's kind offer of help, I am not sure that doing it with his eyes closed would produce a better drawing than I do could myself.

May I ask a (possibly) silly question then, Mark? If I submit drawings for a patent to be protected, are there protocols in existence to stop someone saying "This will not work/is no good" but then adopting the idea as their own?

On cipa.org.uk there is mention of an office in Worcester. The nearest free clinics are in Newport.

In the early stages I do not think there is any scrutiny of the idea. Only later when you go for the full patent as opposed to priority does the thing come under scrutiny - and this is by the Patent Office staff not an outsider.

However if you invented a flying car then there would need to be some way of it getting off the ground!

 

[Speicher]

Thanks people for all the advice so far.

I have had this idea for a few years now. Recently I heard that someone is looking for "inventions" in connection with their existing brand. However, alarm bells immediately rang regarding not "giving away" a good idea. I do not in any way expect to earn millions from this.

 

[Over The Hill]

Is it free?

I've been working with someone who did counterfeit clothing and have been told that to copy something "legally" you need three physical differences. I'm guessing it's a bit more complicated than that!

Sundial is free - no batteries either.

re 3 differences: That sounds like the lawyers advice!

Patents are a bit tricky in that you only need one step but you also have to cover every other way of making that one step!