I have an invention to save fuel in engines (cars and others).  How can I get backing without a patent,?
337815
From the article "How to Protect Your Idea or Intellectual Property" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol81/protect.htm  here are some steps you need to take:\n\n1. Consult a patent lawyer and check if your idea can be patented. \n2. Keep extensive records tracking the development of your idea.\n3. Conduct an extensive research to find out if there are similar patents. \n4. Document where, how and to whom you showed your idea.\n5. Do your own market research if your idea is marketable\n6. Explore the possibility of developing the product yourself, or licensing someone else to make the product for you. \n\nTo bring your idea to market, here are some tips from the article "How to Get Your Consumer Invention to Market" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/012006/invention.htm \n\nGetting Started: \n\n- The Ideabook = Keep a bound ideabook of your invention idea. Date your entries. \n- Get it Notarized = get it officially confirmed that you conceived your invention idea on a particular date, and have your notes notarized. \n- Seek and Search = Do your own patent search to ascertain if your invention is original and prospectively patentable.\n- Create the Initial Prototype = Use simple materials to rig it up, to see if it works. \n- Get Educated = Educate yourself on the inventing process. Go to a bookstore or inventorhelp.com and review the plethora of books written on the subject. \n- The Non-Disclosure Form = Agreement signed between you and anyone you reveal your invention to. \n\nMoving Ahead \n\n- Analyze Costs to Produce = Ascertain what the costs will be. \n- The Evaluation Process = Analyze the benefits and features, strengths and weaknesses of your invention. \n- Get a Professional Prototype = Have professional prototypes made, the quality of which can be shown to potential retail buyers. \n- Protect Your Idea = Apply for a provisional patent yourself. \n- The Non-Provisional Patent = Your patent attorney files your non-provisional patent application.\n\nOptions for Marketing\n\n- Licensing = The inventor has the choice to license the invention to a manufacturer in exchange for a royalty percentage in sales. \n- Manufacturing = Manufacturing and distributing your invention entails higher financial risk but can reap greater profits.\n\nHere are some books that can help you:\n\nFrom Patent to Profit by Bob De Matteis \nProtecting Your #1 Asset : Creating Fortunes from Your Ideas : An Intellectual Property Handbook \nPatents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook \nHow to Register Your Own Trademark : With Forms \nPatent It Yourself \nProtecting Your Ideas : The Inventor's Guide to Patents
900984
Most manufacturers will not even be interested in learning about your invention unless you have first applied for some type of patent application.  In the United States you can file a provisional application for $100 (that is the fee due at filing at the US Patent Office assuming you are an individual inventor or a company with 500 or fewer employees), but in order to ultimately obtain a patent you would need to subsequently file a non-provisional application, or just start by filing a non-provisional application and skip the provisional application process.  In either case, whatever your disclosure contains in the first filing will define the scope of your invention, so you want to make sure it is complete.  You will not be able to update your disclosure later, so the first filing is all important.  This is one of the reasons many inventors hire patent attorneys.\n\nIPWatchdog.com has a a unique process for creating patent applications, a process for which it has its own patent pending. Because this process is more of a team effort the cost is in line with what you would expect to pay an invention submission company, but you get real help and meaningful guidance. This model works because it leverages the energy of the inventor/entrepreneur together with the legal expertise of a patent attorney. Minimizing the involvement of professionals is the way to keep costs down, but you don't want to go it alone without some help, otherwise you risk jeopardizing adequate protection, which would lead to vast amounts of time and energy, not to mention money, being wasted. \n\nThe IPWatchdog process, in a nutshell, requires the inventor to submit answers to a detailed invention questionnaire, with the submitted information being used to create a first draft of the application. A patent attorney then reviews the draft and sends it back to you together with questions, suggestions, explanations and additional information. The inventor then modifies the draft as appropriate and then returns it for a second review. A patent attorney again reviews your application and again returns it to the inventor with comments and suggestions, assuming any additional modifications are warranted. At the time your second review is returned the inventor is provided you with the completed forms necessary for filing at the United States Patent Office.
568850
I am unsure where you should look for financinng or assistance, but please make sure that you and your friend don't get taken by some scumbag who tells you he's trying to help, then steals the idea.  I have heard that, that type of thing happens alot with people and patent companies and the like.  Just be careful who you trust, ESPECIALLY if you find them on the internet.\n\nMaybe you should look into the TV Program "American Inventor" website if they have one?  Just a thought though. Sorry I couldn't better assist you.\n\nGood Luck.
480613
The simplest way to apply for a patent is to pay a lot of money for an attorney and have him do it for you.\n\nAlternatively, you could do it yourself, which most probably wouldn't be simple.
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.
185391
Step one would be to come up with an original idea.\n\nAfter that, it just takes money and a lot of paper work to get the patent.\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/ebc/index.html
988121
http://members.aol.com/rtmadaan1/public_html/patents.html\n\nhttp://members.aol.com/rtmadaan1/
616385
First, file a complaint against the company with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. see http://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/2048.pdf\n\nNext, collect all of your materials, including copies of the materials you sent to/received from the invention company, and find a registered patent attorney to advise you.\n\nI wouldn't worry much about the company stealing your idea. They make their money by extracting $700 - $21,000 from solo inventors and aren't geared up to do more than push paper. However, they can compromise your ability to obtain patent protection in other ways, so do consult with a registered patent attorney. You can find one near you with this link: http://des.uspto.gov/OEDCI/GeoRegion.jsp\n\nGood luck.
1023527
if i could answer this question, dont you think i would patent it and get rich myself....heheh
455059
You may start by reading how to go about this process so you won't be blindsided by scammers, ripped off by other companies or your idea stolen from you:\n\n5 Actions You Must Take to Assure a Successful Invention http://www.powerhomebiz.com/122005/invention.htm\nHow to Make Money from Your Inventions  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol121/inventor.htm\nHow To Protect Your Idea http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol81/protectidea.htm \nHow to Get Your Consumer Invention to Market\n http://www.powerhomebiz.com/012006/invention.htm\n\n\nHere are books I recommend:\n\n- Protecting Your #1 Asset : Creating Fortunes from Your Ideas : An Intellectual Property Handbook \n- Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook \n- Patent It Yourself \n- Protecting Your Ideas : The Inventor's Guide to Patents
1097161
There is a company called, "Invention Submission Corporation".  I'm not sure how they help.  Try this site:\n\nhttp://www.inventnet.com/scam.html\n\nGood luck
1051671
A good rule of thumb is if you've seen an ad on tv or heard one on the radio, for invention assistance, it is a ripoff.  You need to document your invention as best as possible, and find a patent lawyer.  Another good idea is to put your invention in writing, as clearly as possible, and then put that description in an envelope and mail it to yourself.  Don't get confused and think you wrote yourself a letter, from the future, when you get it in your mail.  Don't open it, and it will be treated as a legal document once it is postage marked.
310317
1.you can't register in one country and expect the protection around the globe. If you patent in your country,then the protection is only for your country.there is exception for PCT and European country, they can register in the country patent office and get protection in a couples of countries,but still,not the whole world.\n\n2.yes,as long as it didn't give the wrong impression of your product or company\n\n3.don't expect somebody to patent tap water or fire.that is of course not new/novel,plus not even invented. they will patent the water flow system and combustion system which has never been used and include some inventive step
60795
From pantent agents call them up and theyll help you get your items patented heres a list of all of the ones in the US\n\nhttp://yellowpages.superpages.com/listings.jsp?SRC=411&C=patent&R=N&STYPE=S&MC=1&OO=1&F=1&CP=Legal+%26+Financial%5ELegal+Services%5EIntellectual+Property%5EPatent+Services%5EPatent+Agents
222641
Check the U.S. patent website, www.uspto.gov.  They have a link for people to get basic information about patents.  That would be a good first step.
809368
A copywrite attorney will help protect your idea. Unlike an invention, which are governed by patent law, recipes are covered by copywrite law. Then, if all you have is an idea, you should pitch it to a candy company that manufactures gum. If you have an actual recipe, and can produce a batch to distribute as samples, go out and get financing to start your own small plant.\nFind some people who like your product and sell them a portion of your company. Always maintain at least 51% of the responsibility for the company, so you will have the final say in all decisions. Find a mentor who can advise you and get started.
609729
For patents in the US go to:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html