Doc Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 I have an idea for an invention that is something I'd like to use, and also something I think I could market. I have enough money to see it through (and can get more to fund it if needed). I realize that I can't build it myself and need to take it to someone who can, and I'm thinking someone local (haven't chosen anyone yet, but I have a neighbor who I'm sure could point me in the right direction). My question is, even though I came up with the idea but the other person will build it, do they have any stake in ownership of it? I'm thinking "no," as long as I have him/her sign confidentiality/non-compete forms, but I just want to cover my bases. Maybe videotape the encounters (with the person's permission)? Thanks in advance, and I'll post an update if/when I have a prototype built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Generally no, but there's no reason to not make sure of it by having the person sign a consulting/employment agreement that clearly states (among other things) that anything they produce or learn about while being paid by you is the property of you (or your company, which hopefully you've already created). It's a pretty standard clause. No reason to get creepy with videotape, unless you're hiring a hot chick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Generally no, but there's no reason to not make sure of it by having the person sign a consulting/employment agreement that clearly states (among other things) that anything they produce or learn about while being paid by you is the property of you (or your company, which hopefully you've already created). It's a pretty standard clause. No reason to get creepy with videotape, unless you're hiring a hot chick. I was going to wait until the prototype was built and see if it worked the way I thought, before I created a company. Is doing it beforehand a must, i.e. is there a higher chance of getting ripped off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Well, before you even go about building it you might want to check on any patents that might exist for it. I have been told you pretty much have to have a patent attorney look this up for you. It'd suck to get the business started, get it built, get it started...and find out Chris Knight or Mitch Taylor already invented it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Well, before you even go about building it you might want to check on any patents that might exist for it. I have been told you pretty much have to have a patent attorney look this up for you. It'd suck to get the business started, get it built, get it started...and find out Chris Knight or Mitch Taylor already invented it. I'll be doing that as well. I just want to get it built first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Check out and make sure no one else has something very close to what you want to build. See a lawyer. Get the Patent first. Just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofiba Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Tell me the idea and I'll let you know if it's worth pursuing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladiebla Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Over here there are business specialised in just that, helping you protect it and helping you on the right path or more depending on what you want. links in dutch use google translate or something; The guy behind vacuvin is basicly a big partner in these: http://www.hetbesteideevan.nl/1359/Partners_Stichting.html http://www.agentschapnl.nl/nl/organisatie/divisies/divisie/NL%20Octrooicentrum Also Dyson has a similar institue in the uk:http://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zona Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Well, before you even go about building it you might want to check on any patents that might exist for it. I have been told you pretty much have to have a patent attorney look this up for you. It'd suck to get the business started, get it built, get it started...and find out Chris Knight or Mitch Taylor already invented it. huge kudos for the Real Genius reference. Very impressive! How many years have you been waiting to trot that out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 huge kudos for the Real Genius reference. Very impressive! Holy crap, how did I miss that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 I have an idea for an invention that is something I'd like to use, and also something I think I could market. I have enough money to see it through (and can get more to fund it if needed). I realize that I can't build it myself and need to take it to someone who can, and I'm thinking someone local (haven't chosen anyone yet, but I have a neighbor who I'm sure could point me in the right direction). My question is, even though I came up with the idea but the other person will build it, do they have any stake in ownership of it? I'm thinking "no," as long as I have him/her sign confidentiality/non-compete forms, but I just want to cover my bases. Maybe videotape the encounters (with the person's permission)? Thanks in advance, and I'll post an update if/when I have a prototype built. The vacuum penis enlargement thing is old news. Find something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 These sites might be of some use: http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/iac/index.jsp http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search/index.jsp https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/GeoRegion.jsp Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 The vacuum penis enlargement thing is old news. Find something else. What if I invented one that could help even you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBud Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Doc - Here is what I was trained to do working for a major technology company headquarted in Dallas TX. Ever engineer was given a lab notebook that was serialized. We were told that any time we conducted / observed a test, has any kind of thought concerning a new process / concept / the like to write it down in the notebook. The entry was to be dated, signed by you, and co-signed by another engineer. When the notebook was full, we were issued another one. We did not do any pre or post research to determine if the entry was previously patented. Of course, the idea / observation was the property of the employer. I would think that in your case that if you could draw out and briefly explain what your concept / invention would be then you should be good. Make sure that you date, sign, and get some other form of co-signature. You could also photograph the entry - just in case. At least this way you have documented your idea and you can then to the research. Just a point of note - you can't patent something that already exists. You can patent something if you make significant changes to the original. This might help as well - Linky Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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