Patenting an Idea

& afterwards !

[ideavirus]

Hello,

How exactly can i patent an idea? Are are any specific requirements to patent an idea? how does it differ from patenting an Idea or a design?

Can someone help me with some info and web pointers where i can get more info on the same.

Later :
One the patent is awarded, and then someone else is found of doing the same thing, whats the basis on they they are expected to compensate? any fair ideas.

Thanks for your time.
Cheers

[BlobFisk]

I'm not too sure about the process, but I remember once bring told that if you have an idea/process/invention etc. document everything and post a number of copies of this documentation to yourself by registered mail.

Thus, if there is ever a query about who got there first, you can produce one of these (unopened) registered letter from you to you as evidence.

[ideavirus]

These ideas i am talking about are Internet Related.

In that case what kind o evidence would work?
Any web links?
Thanks

[globay]

BlobFisk, great idea.

Of course this would work also for ideas that are internet related.

[Red_Eye]

One of the best ways to Patent an Idea is to find a Patent Lawyer. It then depends upon which countries you want to protect your idea in. I should warn you though that getting a patent written and lodged can be an expensive process. Once you have a patent you will need to pay renewal fees every year the cost of this will vary depending upon which countries the patent is lodged in.
Another route may be to find an organisation that help independent inventors protect their ideas.
Have you done a patent search yet?

[buckworks]

Can you get a patent on an idea? Or is it the *execution* of the idea that's patentable?

Here's some reading to get you started:

[uspto.gov...]

<<Thus, if there is ever a query about who got there first, you can produce one of these (unopened) registered letter from you to you as evidence.>>

If you do this, be aware that the message must be opened to see the evidence, but once it's opened it's not good as evidence anymore. Don't allow your envelope(s) to be opened anywhere except in a context where the opening will be witnessed and documented by qualified legal authorities.