how do you find out if a patant already exists without giving up your idea and not spending a million dollars?
103441
Well, it doesn't cost a million dollars, but a patent search is the only surefire way. That'll hit you back anywhere from twenty five to fifty grand.\n\nYou can forego all that if you're prepared to set some of your  profits aside in an IP fund - so that if you get sued by a patent holder, some of your money is stored away to give them. If you genuinely did not know about their patent, they can't shut you down (as NTP is trying to do with RIM), but you will be liable for the appropriate amount of revenue associated with the patent.
257811
Write the studio and ask if one is available.  You may need to pay a fee.
113666
You can type in a good description of the coin, it's likely that someone out there has another one just like it.  Otherwise, take it to a coin shop.
1012165
no but the internet can\n\nstart by doing city searches white and yellow pages in the city where you think the company might be
530539
first, you need to do a search in case your technology is already patented by someone else, note that the fact that there is no similar product in the market doesn't prove it has not been patented yet.\ngo to www.uspto.gov (us patent and trademark office). click on patents, and then click on search patents and publications, there you can search for your key word, artifitial kidney or whatever it is and compare the results to make sure there is no match. after that you can go to a patent attorney and apply for a patent.\nyou can read the patent section of the uspto.gov, it has a lot of good information about patents.
972367
go to westerunion.com to get an idea.
197752
search for them.  Or make your own, that won't cost any money.
670688
that is not possible. if something has not been invented yet per so does not exist...\nso that way no one will be able to provide you with one.
968477
If its unauthorised or otherwise,Hijack this would be your best bet.Download it,scan,post your results in the same website and you will know everything thats on your start up list,including advice on whether it is legitimate or necessary.You ll be surprised at how well it works.You can get it here-\nhttp://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/
1149015
Two ways that I know of and have used are 1) searching them out on the BBB (Better Business Bureu) and 2) look on their site for what city they are based out of and go to that city's official website and look them up in the registered business listings.\n\nIf the business can't be found in either of those two places that doesn't immediately mean they are not valid, but if they are in atleast one fo those places you can rest assured that they are. :)\n\nHope that helps. :)
1094266
Go to an electronics store during regular business hours and ask to speak to the general manager. Run your well prepared idea across them and see what happens. It will either be yes or no. Keep going until you hit an interested party as not all will be receptive to your proposal. But one is all you need and eventually you will hit paydirt. The only way to fail is to give up! And those who are not receptive one day may be in the mood on another day.
308190
You might contact those stores. If the idea can make $$$, get a patent or copyright before you approach them-- otherwise they will steal your idea.
312393
The first step is to evaluate your business concept and to determine to the best extent you can whether the concept will actually work in the real world. Many people have brilliant concepts, but many of these concepts fail. By doing preliminary research beforehand, you can minimize your risk and increase your chances for success.\n\nFrom the article "Evaluating Business Ideas and Products" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol13/evaluate.htm here are 12 questions to ask to help you identify a winning business idea:\n\n1. Does it satisfy or create a market need?\n2. Will the product maintain market appeal?\n3. How unique is your product?\n4. How useful is your product? \n5. How much competition exists?\n6. Have you priced your product competitively? \n7. What is the level of difficulty in the creation or implementation of the product?\n8. What are the growth possibilities?\n9. Can I get backend sales?\n10. Is the product safe?\n11. Can my product be promoted with strong advertising copy? \n12. Will you be left with an inventory?\n\nThen you can:\n\n1. Prepare your business plan to help you flesh out the concept more. Part of the process includes making estimates of the startup expenses you will need, cashflow you will need, and other resources you need to make your concept come to life.\n\n2. Line up your funding. Once your plan is complete you can start seeking funding for your business (if you do not have the resources to start it). Decide on the best route for you, whether you will get a bank loan, an SBA- guaranteed loan, find partners and investors, equity financing, etc. Here are articles that can help you decide on where to get financing for your business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/Index/financing.htm\n\n3. Create your business structure. Decide on the best legal structure for your business. The article "Choosing Your Legal Structure" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol3/legalstructure.htm gives the advantages and disadvantages of each legal structure.\n\n4. Begin the process of getting permits, licenses, EIN, and other government regulatory approval. Go to your Secretary of State website or visit your county clerk office and ask the requirements you need to start your business. If you are looking to patent your product, be sure to do it before you pitch your business to other investors.\n\n5. Operational process - whether you will create a storefront on Main street or a website, now is the time to do it.\n\nThere's a lot more things to do when starting a business.  I recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed
240506
find enlightnment, \nyou have already taken the first step, seek and you will find.
188583
Put it on eBay and find out
183192
You say you've done it before - what did you do then?\n\nFrom a professional stand point you need to draw up a prospective, outline the expenses and probable gains.  Present it to him and let him look over your ideas and theory.
293203
The quickets and most accurate way of finding out if a company exists is by visiting Hoover's Business Database:\n\nhttp://www.hoovers.com/free/\n\nSimply type in the company's name in the box at the top of the screen. If the company is real, it will be listed.