How do I patent a product?  Do I need a lawyer?
108113
go to http://www.uspto.gov\n\nThey have guides on how to do a patent, the forms needed, the costs, etc.  However, their best recommendation is to use a lawyer
8951
You can protect your idea by filing a provisional claim with the USPTO. This is kind of like a "patent lite" and allows you to protect the product for up to a year.  The cost is US$200 and should be done straight away. Visit the PTO website for information on filing applications electronically. \n\nAfter that, prepare yourself for a tremendous uphill battle. If this is a design patent (i.e. a new form of an existing product), you will find it difficult to locate interested buyers. If this is a utility patent (a new product or process), you will need to find companies within the industry and see if they are interested. \n\nYou will want to get a hold of a standard NDA/NC (Non-Disclosure Agreement / Non-Compete). These are fairly boilerplate and should be easy to locate on the 'net. Requiring NDA's is STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE when shopping around an idea and manufacturers are generally comfortable signing them. If a manufacturer refuses to sign, WALK AWAY. There is something wrong. An NDA is no guarantee that a company won't steal your idea, but at least it provides evidence of due dilligence during any potential infringement lawsuit.\n\nSearch the various government department websites for grant applications. The government is always looking to foster the development of new ideas that can potentially benefit the nation. There are grants for both non-profit and for-profit company's available and some even include grants for "concept development and R&D". \n\nBarring that, you may want to consider some form of rapid prototyping. Depending on the invention idea, this could be a short production run of the product, some kind of stereo lithography or other RP, or a "proof of concept" 3-D model, engineering analysis, etc. Having a physical, working prototype that a potential buyer can see, touch and interact with is FAR more impressive than a napkin sketch. Be prepared to spend $1-10K on a prototype. Well worth the investment, because if a picture is worth 1,000 words, a prototype is worth 1,000,000.\n\nGood Luck!
314187
You need a patent and trademark.  Copyrights are for ideas, not "things."  You'll have to do some searches through the U.S.P.T.O (u.s paten/trademark office) and then register.  once that's done, you can use the ® .  there are plenty of resources out there.  go to www.uspto.gov\n\n©
965861
You cannot gaurantee anything without a patent. If you have faith in your idea then you should be confident in paying for the patent.
985691
Would suggest approach an agent of the office of patents. You can get the list of agents from this site:\nhttp://www.patentoffice.nic.in/ipr/patent/patent_agent_2006.pdf
25077
Your new product should fall into one of these categories...\n\nThere are three types of patents: \n\n1) Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof; \n\n2) Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and \n\n3) Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. \n\nDefinitely contact an intellectual property attorney. Also, read more about patents at the USPTO site & at Nolo. I listed the links.\n\nI also listed some handy marketing links.\n\nDo you have a name in mind for your product? Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available. \n\nThis entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark. \n\nResearch is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!\n\nThere are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million). \n\n\nHope that helps!
116023
I would recommend you first hire a pentent lawyer and patent the product or idea.  I think that your lack of a college degree is an advantage.  I don't have one either and am very glad I don't.
1018226
Try the US Patent Office.  Perhaps the FAQ's can help a little.
53131
Your new product should fall into one of these categories...\n\nThere are three types of patents: \n\n1) Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof; \n\n2) Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and \n\n3) Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. \n\nDefinitely contact an intellectual property attorney, as the other poster said. Also, read more about patents at the USPTO site & at Nolo. I listed the links.\n\nHope that helps!
479617
Your best bet is to sell your idea to a company that already develops new products.  You definately need to get a patent for it from the U.S. Patent office ( http://www.uspto.gov/ ).  This will protect any potentional buyers of your idea from outright stealing it.  Other than this, I think you would be hardpressed to find people who will invest in your idea.
355917
Get a patent lawyer.  No other way to go.  Don't contact the "invention submission" groups, they only seek to use others ideas for their own profit.  If you belive your invention has profit value, get a patent lawyer and get your idea protected the right way.
843093
If you are in the US, you go to the US Patent and Trademark Office to get a patent. http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/howtopat.htm UPTO has a page on the Basic Facts of Patents that you may want to read http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html\n\nNote though that getting a patent is a complicated and costly process. It is best to work with a patent lawyer to help you navigate the process. The cost of filing a patent can go anywhere from $10K to $35K depending on the cost of your lawyer and what it is you are trying to patent
512428
You can obtain a patent from the US patent office. It can take months to years, depending. You can use "patent pending" in the interim once you have actually applied.\n\nHere's where you start:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/\n\nThat's the US patent office's website.\n\nHeop this helps, and good luck with your idea!\n--J.
965959
i'd be careful who you told go here for info on getting a patent http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-subCat-m-4-sc-25-legal_patent_trade_law-i
321867
3-steps:\n\n1) Patent you idea (after searching for other similar patents and making sure your idea is original).  This is not too expensive to do.\n\n2) Contact a major corporation who plays in the area of your idea/invention, to partner with them (they will typically (caveat) not steal your idea like some smaller companies may).\n\n3) Have the major corporation make the investment in product development by negotiating a contract for royalties on any sales of the final product, plus prohibition on selling the idea to any third party.\n\nYou're in business!!  Cheers!
790565
It is not possible to protect ideas but rather the representation of that idea. \n\nTo protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent \n\nNOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nGetting a Patent:\n* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman\n* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce\n* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo\n* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
254935
You can either do this by having a patent lawyer check it out for you , or you can do it yourself with the Fed. govt.\n\nDamn! Someone beat me to it!!   ;-)