Product idea - Who to contact?

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Product idea - Who to contact?

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2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 9:54 am Post subject: Product idea - Who to contact?
If I have an idea for a product but cannot atcually create it myself does anyone know who I need to get in contact with and how to protect my idea? thanks

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 9:57 am Post subject:

It will all depend on what the idea is, different manufacturing/market sectors will have different ways of being approached and most will want to know its a big viable idea before even entertaining the idea.

As for protecting it, write it out, post it to yourself recorded delivery and do not open the envelope when it arrives. The postal stamp will show when it was sent in case of any argument later on. Its not totally foolproof but its a very cheap way of demonstrating when you first exerted your right to be identifed as the copyright holder of the design.

Another way apparently is to get your bank to stamp and date a copy of your design, to show it existed in your name on a given date.

Also do a check at the patents office website to see if there is anything similar- just in case

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28234
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 10:03 am Post subject:
Last time I came up with an idea I thought had a sporting chance at a patent, I figured I was not much cop at the process, so I told a friend who was we would go 50/50 thinking half of something is a lot more than 100% of nothing.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 10:07 am Post subject:
Without giving away any critical details of course, roughly what market is this idea aimed at? Might help people suggest lines of enquiry that are relevant as well as the more general thoughts

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 10:49 am Post subject:
Your solicitor may make certified copies (although they might charge) I vaguely remember my mum sending things to a solicitor for copywright (which might be different) in exactly the way Sally described, only the solicitor files it. I wonder if any 'notary' would do. If you just need a professional (like with your passport) then I'll be happy to do it for you.

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 12:25 pm Post subject:
Its an idea based on something that already exsists that would make supermarket shopping tons easier for parents with pushchairs. I could design the item myself but have no way of producing one. Could I contact the people who make what is already avaliable and very simular?

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 12:35 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a good move, how exactly you get them to agree to pay you if they like the idea is a trickier one though, but in the first instance contacting them to say 'I can improve on this' might work. Or even, just possibly, pick a supermarket that you don't mind too much and approach them, they'd end up with an 'improved for parents, by a mum, exclusive to us' design trolley and may be more open to the idea as they could using at a marketing hook

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Sat May 05, 07 11:37 pm Post subject:

2steps, its a difficult one. If the idea is sufficiently different to what has been done before then it may be patentable, but that ain't a cheap route. The 'signed and dated' thing that Sally suggests is fine for establishing when you did something in some countries, but in others its whoever got to patent office first, so your very best protection is simply not to tell anyone till you're sure.

If you're convinced that your idea is good then the idea of talking to a trolley manufacturer is one that is potentially good, but fraught with problems too; even a two-way mutual non-disclosure agreement may not fully protect you should you later decide to patent.

How sure are you of this idea? Do you need to make a prototype to test it out?

Blacksmith

Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 5025
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Sun May 06, 07 1:51 pm Post subject:
Could make you a prototype if you like ?

Beckyess

Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 1076
Location: Worcestershire

Posted: Sun May 06, 07 1:54 pm Post subject:
Try British Inventors Society they should be able to point you in the right direction, help with patents etc. Becky

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Sun May 06, 07 3:05 pm Post subject:

Blacksmith wrote:

Could make you a prototype if you like ?

I don't think so as it all metal. I could possibily 'aqquire' a trolley and adapt it

have bookmarked that becky, thank you

Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Mon May 07, 07 6:43 am Post subject:
Hi 2steps - came across this don't know if it is of any use. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3698356.stm

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