I have a great invention and a working prototype, what's my next step and how much is this going to cost me?

Ok, here we go.

The first step is to see if anyone else in the world has invented it before. Try searching the internet to see if you can buy it. If you find something similar, print it out.

If you don't find it, the next step will be to search the patent databases. Again, the search must be International but start searching yourself at the US Patent Office. This is free.

When you get sick of searching, or if your not sure you've done a good enough job there are people that can do this for you. Of course, if you want it done properly, you'll have to pay - same as if you want someone to fix your tap. For a decent, International patent search your looking between $500 - $1500 depending on the provider and if the Government subsidises their service.

If you do find your idea or one similar (anywhere in the world) you may have a problem securing protection for it.

Whatever you find, next organise a consultation with a registered patent attorney who can advise you on the best protection, if any, to consider. The first consultation is typically free and you should take along pictures and descriptions of anything you found that was similar.

If you would like further help, consider contacting IP Australia who should be able to provide a referral to a trusted adviser.

Couple of extra points before I go:

1. Posting documents to yourself does not offer any where near the legal protection of a granted patent.

2. Inventor's Associations are a great place to gain an education and maybe some friends but such associations are typically a group of people interested in inventing and inventions. Seek proffessional advice where appropriate.

3. There a lots of invention promotion companies in Australia that are fraudulent. If you have doubts, contact your local or State Government for advice.

4. To lodge an Australian provisional patent application through a registered patent attorney should cost you between $1500 - $3000 depending on who you go to and what your invention is. You can write and file your own application for about $80 through IP Australia. If you invention is good, consider the patent attorney route. I've seen many deals fall through because of poor patent drafting.

5. Don't rely solely on advice from Internet forums. Free advice can be the most expensive..... ;)

get a patent so no one can steal it and claim it as their own

Not too much. Now you MUST contact a patent lawyer. Stay way from 'inventors associations' or commercial groups that claim to help inventors. Once your invention is protected start looking for ways to get it into production and/or licensing, look into venture capital, or beg and borrow from friends and relatives to start your business.

To 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

NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what else the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.

Research, research, research â€“ this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

You need to apply for a patent, and I am not sure how much that will cost.

do your own research in a patent library...cheaper than hiring an attorney to do the legwork for you.

some things to consider:

1. a patent if you truly believe it is worth it

2. researching a trade show and possibly attending it. these shows attract large manufactruing decision makers which may be interested in doing business with.

3. DO NOT contact one of those invention submission corporations that advetise on T.V. they are scams and are currently being prosecuted by the gov't. if someone is truely interested in your product they won't ask you for money.

4. try contacting a local inventing group. most cities have one nearby . these clubs contain people with the contacts that may be helpful to you.

5. read books one the subject of inventing... research is very important. (you wouldn't go scuba diving without the gear). if you have more question email me: predatorpio@yahoo.com

The site listed below gives a step-by-step guide on the patenting process. Mailing yourself a sealed envelope does NOT protect your patent rights. Good luck!

You will need to file for a patent. The best thing to do is contact a patent attorney. The cost behind a patent could be as high as $1850 per patent.

Another thing you can do is mail a blue print to the U.S. Patent department along with, a $25 processing fee and they will provide you with a patent pending. This will be only good for one year. After that you will have to have the patent otherwise any other company can take over your idea.

I do not recommend 1800GOTIDEA. They want you to cover all the costs of the patent and then they will take over 75% of any profits that may be generated. I contacted them about five years ago and they would not disclose the information to me. I had to ask my attorney and he found out.

There is a thing called a poor man's patent. It only establishes a date that you created the item. What you do is mail the blue prints to yourself and not open the package. The post office will post mark the package and it establishes a time line for you.

Good luck.

You will have to do a patent search to see if it has already been invented.

Get a patent by all means (there are lawyers who specialize in just patent). A patent may cost you about $1,400 dollars.. Once you have that avoid other people opinions and go forth.

You will have all kind of people send in you stuff. Ask a friend, relative or geek student with expertise on your prototype for recommendation. Try Web search, get some exposure with out giving away you secrets; try local Fairgrounds, Talk shows, TV Interviews, Product demonstration at science fairs. Amateur competitions of best prototype shows. Ask you mother of employer to invest money in your prototype.

take any drawings,sketches or details that you have,photos etc and post them registered mail to yourself.Legally as good as a patent.Then take it to a manufacturer,if it is good enough or it has potential,he will usually bankroll the project.I have several items on sale now,that were once only,inside my head.

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