Need advice: idea for an invention

[JoeP]

I've been thinking of an invention, and believe it would be something that could interest every household. I'm at the point now where I want to begin prototyping and going through several iterations, possibly up to a couple years, and want to know what the next steps would be. We have an attorney who is also a CPA, so I imagine he could file the patent (if it is patent-able, not sure here), but I have no idea what would be involved to transform this into an actual money-making prospect.

Anyone have experience with doing this, or can point me to good references?

Thanks.

[jIM_Ohio]

I've been thinking of an invention, and believe it would be something that could interest every household. I'm at the point now where I want to begin prototyping and going through several iterations, possibly up to a couple years, and want to know what the next steps would be. We have an attorney who is also a CPA, so I imagine he could file the patent (if it is patent-able, not sure here), but I have no idea what would be involved to transform this into an actual money-making prospect.

Anyone have experience with doing this, or can point me to good references?

Thanks.

Most cities have think tanks and small business incubators. Find one in your city and meet people.

Not all attorneys can file patents, the same way not all doctors could remove the fungus from your foot.

I would form an LLC (cheap to do) and run all finances through LLC for write offs (Your CPA should know how to do this).

[creditcardfree]

Don't know if it work for your situation, but look into Quirky.com.

[Drake3287]

Shark Tank!

[Green43]

I had a pretty good idea a while back, I was told back then to make my diagrams and description and mail it to myself (thought being the postmark would be my date of inception). Next I sent it into one of those "we will help you get a patent" web sites.. yeah basically until you sent them hundreds of dollars up front all they will do for you (or at least for me) is look it up on the internet and say "I dont see anything on the market that is like it so far".. My scam radar went off at that point and I did not follow it further, from what I have researched so far basically you have to find a good patent lawyer (only a patent lawyer) and have him file for a patent on your design, this could cost anywhere from 6-15K unless you have a company (usually one you work for) willing to pay for the patent costs, even then for a sizeable portion of the profits. I wish you good luck in your patent journey. If you find something that works for you, let us know, I still have an old envelope in my safe..
Good luck!

[jeromanomic]

I'd get that patent filed first and foremost... otherwise you shouldn't be discussing the details with anyone you don't fully trust

[GrimJack]

A woman I worked for had a process for applying labels to just about anything (this was back in 1978), she never patented her process because she had an advantage over everyone in the same business; if she had patented her process, it could have been reverse engineered and re-configured to go around the patent. They would have known where to look - what to look at. There are people who troll patents looking for a good idea they can steal and use for their own - not necessarily what you need to worry about but it is something to keep in mind.