How does one patent an idea? for Questionland Seattle

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How does one patent an idea?

Like if I have this really excellent idea that I think no one has ever had before, and I want to patent this idea, and then sell it to someone who actually has the means to create it?

Grant Brissey asked in Legal about 1 year ago | Report

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Luckier

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A patent cannot be obtained on an idea alone. Generally, you must be able to demonstrate the functioning application of an idea that is novel, useful and nonobvious. So, you need to take your idea and actually make it work, and it has to be an application of that idea that's never been done before, and isn't just the natural extension of an old technology.

So, first thing is to talk to a patent agent or patent attorney. It's very expensive, but they can do a search to see if it is worthwhile to spend the money to go forward with the process. When choosing a patent agent or attorney, look for someone with a background in your technology - if it's a solar-powered flashlight, talk to an electrical engineer, etc.

The University of Washington School of Law has a law clinic for entrepreneurs - they may be your first (inexpensive) stop.

Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
University of Washington School of Law
William H. Gates Hall | Box 353020
Seattle, Washington 98195-3020
Phone: (206) 616-5854
Email: elcinfo@uw.edu

Luckier answered in Legal about 1 year ago | Report

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Last onset

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According to http://howtopatentanidea.net/, if an idea is already published, it can't be patented. And while I'm too lazy to patent my idea, I would be pissed if some douche came along and patented it after I thought of it first.

So here's my idea: You get all the cell phone makers to agree to a protocall for transmitting a bluetooth signal -- or other 3-6 meter range wireless signal -- to all the phones in the vicinity telling them what category of facility they are in. There are only several broad categories: restaurant, theater, meeting, classroom, public transportation, private car, and restricted facility (e.g. hospital). You then put a small box in your facility broadcasting the selected signal to all phones within a short range. You could even broadcast it from a phone equipped with this feature.

Each phone user has the *option* to assign whatever behavior they want in response to this information. Such as vibrate only inside a restaurant, do not ring in a meeting or classroom, and shut down in a restricted facility. The phone user configures this ahead of time and then forgets about it.

The beauty of it is that not only does your phone automatically put itself into the user's desired mode without having to think about it, the phone also puts itself back in normal mode when you move out of range of the signal. That way you are never embarrassed when your phone rings inappropriately, and you don't miss calls because you don't have to remember to turn the ringer back on.

Or you could be a dick and tell your phone to ignore the signals. But since ALL phones are equipped with this feature, the only reason to ignore it is if you are a dick. Not just forgetful. So if your phone rings in a theater or meeting, everyone will know that you thought it over ahead of time and deliberately decided to be a jerk about it. Way worse than simply forgetting to turn your phone off.

In theory, the congress could make a rule saying that restricted facilities will shut your phone down whether you want it to or not, but that's their prerogative. The technology itself would be implemented in an opt-in way with only social pressure to make users cooperate.

What's your idea?

Last onset answered in Legal about 1 year ago | Report

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