First, you can file a provisional patent application (if your invention is patentable). Second, you can use a nondisclosure agreement
How can I protect my invention without a patent?
If you determine that the invention is probably not patentable, the most effective way to protect yourself is to have prospective licensees sign a nondisclosure agreement
Can invention be protected only by patents?
To get trade secret protection for your invention or idea, you don’t have to register it. Instead, you only need to treat it as your trade secret . ... Trade secret protection can be used to protect your invention before the filing of the patent application. The invention is treated as confidential and as a trade secret.
What Cannot be protected by a patent?
a scheme, rule or method for performing a mental act , playing a game or doing business, or a computer program, a presentation of information, a procedure for surgical or therapeutic treatment, or diagnosis, to be practised on humans or animals.
Do I need a patent to protect my product?
Patents are not legally required before you sell your product or profit from your idea. There are many products and services sold in the United States that are not patent-protected. However, a patent is necessary if you want to prevent others from making marketing, selling, or importing your invention.
Can someone steal my idea and patent it?
As soon as you file a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), your invention is “Patent Pending.” Once your application is submitted, nobody can steal, sell, or use your invention without your permission . If this happens, they are infringing on your patent, assuming it gets issued.
Can a manufacturer steal your idea?
Answer: Manufacturers can steal your idea by selling your product to other customers . ... It should also state that the manufacturer cannot sell to other customers. Your best bet to enforce this contract if there is a problem is by having it written in the language of the manufacturer.
Can you patent an idea without a prototype?
Many inventors wonder if they need a prototype prior to patenting an invention. The simple answer is “no’ . A prototype is not required prior to filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office. While prototypes can be valuable in developing your invention, they can also be costly.
How long does a patent last?
A U.S. utility patent, explained above, is generally granted for 20 years from the date the patent application is filed; however, periodic fees are required to maintain the enforceability of the patent.
Can you sell a patent?
A patent is an important document which grants ownership to an invention. However, simply owning a patent won’t generate a dime for the inventor. To profit from your idea, you must sell the patent, license usage rights, or market the product yourself .
Can I sell a product without a patent?
No. You are not required to obtain a patent in order to sell a product or service embodying your invention. Many products and services are sold that are not patented. A U.S. patent provides the right to stop others from making marketing, selling, or importing your invention in the United States.
What is a poor man’s patent?
The theory behind the “poor man’s patent” is that, by describing your invention in writing and mailing that documentation to yourself in a sealed envelope via certified mail (or other proof-of-delivery mail), the sealed envelope and its contents could be used against others to establish the date that the invention was ...
How do you pitch an idea to a company without it being stolen?
If your idea is so unusual that it’s patentable, before you show it off, you’ll want to have that company sign a nondisclosure agreement promising it won’t steal it. Get a lawyer experienced in your industry to help write it.
Can a company steal your patent?
An idea by itself is not protectable. ... Ideas alone are not protected under intellectual property law. There are two primary ways that you would be able to sue the company for stealing your idea. The first is if you did, in fact, reduce the idea to a protectable form before telling the company about it .
Can someone sue you for stealing an idea?
If you believe someone has stolen your idea, you may sue them . A court may grant an injunction to stop them from using or disclosing it or award you compensatory and/or punitive damages. Egregious cases could bring criminal charges.
What happens if someone patents your idea?
If the patent holder is not actively practicing the idea, it may be possible to explore a license to practice the invention . A license can be either exclusive or non-exclusive. Obtaining a non-exclusive license means that the patent owner can give licenses to other entities, such as your competitors.
