Once a patent is applied for, how can you protect it?? Someone told me any company can produce it while it is patent pending!! Sounds nuts to me but what do I know.. my attorney ( he's just doing a search for me)says never tell anyone my patent, yet most companies want to know before hand what it is to even speak to you, how do I handle this?? My idea is an improvement to an existing storage product, the search I completed found no like items, a search company is now completeing a more thorough search for me and I should have it soon. All maket researches I have done have been quite favorable from actual users of the similiar product, actually I have 2 products that tie to the same thing.. anyway 911 gave me the idea and I believe the sky is the limit in sales due to the feasability and desirability of the item in it's new state. Thanks for any info, Martin

Hi -

When you file a patent, you are officially granted "patent pending" status and are afforded protection under the patent laws. I am not an attorney but have been doing this long enough to know that you protected to a degree but always consult an attorney to be sure. You should always be cautious when developing a product but in order to sell your product you must be ready and willing to share some product info with a retail buyer for example. If you are looking to license your product, you need to carefully choose the right potential licensees and consider that you do run the risk of them "taking" your idea. Just be careful but consult an attorney...Jim

Hi.
I was a registered nurse for almost 25 years but have been creative my entire life. I have had ideas that I didn't pursue and later saw them for sale. Currently, I have 2 unique ideas but since I am now disabled, I have zero capital to invest. I am willing to give away one of my ideas as it could save numerous back injuries and help people. I have tried approaching Davison Inventegration and paid several hundred dollars to pursue my idea but the next phase would have cost thousands. I'm unable to do this. At this point, as much as I'd like to benefit from my idea, it is not doing anybody any good in my head. My idea is for a special bed that would help caregivers, such as nurses and even patient's family members, turn a bed-ridden patient more easily and lessen the risk of back injuries. Any ideas where I can go with my idea?

My second idea is a unique jewelry design for diabetic awareness jewelry but the American Diabetic Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research are non-profits and did not help me. I've gone to the Small Business Administration for help and received enthusiasm but realized I am not a business person. Since I am on limited income, my resources are severely limited. I really don't know where to go since I realize this is not something that I can do on my own.

Hi!

Wow...you certainly have a interesting story! I am sorry to hear about your situation. I am not sure I have any specific advice for you because you usually need some money to get an invention developed and off the ground - even if you wind up licensing the idea away to someone. You are in a tough spot for sure.

The only recommendation I can make with the limited info I have is to seek out a licensing agent who may shop your idea around to potential licensees and only take a percentage of the royalties you would receive IF you got a licensing deal which by the way is a long shot to begin with. Some of these agents may not charge you any money up front but they will have certain conditions that allow them to financially benefit should you get a deal and rightfully so.

Good luck! Jim

Hi Jim!
Thank you for the reply. Do you know of any "licensing agents"? I don't even know where to start.

Thanks again.
Chris

Hi Chris -

I do know a few of course! Here is what I would like for you to do. Please email me a detailed de_script_ion of your products so I can share this info with our head of licensing at our company and see if there is any interest. We actually only work with a select few products for licensing opportunities so the chances are small but if there is interest we do not charge for this type of work currently. If you do not hold any patents for these ideas we suggest you sign a non-disclosure with us for your protection. Please email me one and we will review and sign if it seems ok.

Regards...Jim

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the quick reply! What email address should I send it to?
Chris

jimd@slingshotproducts.com

Dear Jim,
I have some doctor's appointments today but I'll email the details later today. I appreciate the help.
Take care,
Chris

Chris,

We also have a Business Directory right here on IdeaTango, and one of the categories we have is for licensing agents. Here is the _link_: http://www.ideatango.com/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,45/Itemid,295/

Or find it yourself by going to the "Directory" tab and click on Licensing Agents. That's what it's there for! Good luck!

Bryan

Thanks Bryan...I should have known better!

Thank you Bryan- I'll check it out. I appreciate the information.

Chris

Dear Jim; Hello. I signed up for IdeaTango about 11 days ago. I have read all of your posts and am personally "very impressed" w/your advice. I do have a question for you. My invention, which is in the beauty field, is ready for licensing. I am in patent pending stage and all my product profiles have been done(designs, engineering, in-use illustrations, market research, patent filed, etc.) I would like to know if maybe your head of licensing at your company, will look at my product to see if there is any interest. I have many companies wanting to help, but they want to charge me an arm & leg and take all the profits. My invention is truly worth looking at. Please let me know and I will e-mail or video conference or submission package is available. Thanks so much!

Best Regards,
L. Clark

Hi!

I will be happy to take a look myself...and give you my honest opinion!