When do i file for a patent? · shard-db HN Explorer

> When do i file for a patent?

As soon as possible. A basic change in patent law has recently gone into effect, which (at risk of oversimplification) grants a patent to the first person to file, rather than the first person to invent (the old standard).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_to_file_and_first_to_inve...

> As far as I know, the idea is unique but I don't know if I have to make it first to patent it or just patent the idea, or is the idea all that matters?

* Ideas can now be patented, so don't wait until you have a working embodiment -- by then, someone else may have patented the idea.

* You need to consult a competent patent attorney, not a public forum.

mrt0mat0 12y ago ↗

thanks! Do you recommend a google search for an attorney or a site that might help me along the way?

lutusp 12y ago ↗

Because of the complexity of these issues, you should try to get an attorney that's both competent and local. So a simple Web search won't be that conclusive.

By the way, this sort of thing is very expensive.

mrt0mat0 12y ago ↗

Yes. I looked up a few in my area, and... yeah. expensive. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I mean, I can pay that high amount of money and hope my product is a success, but that's a lot of money for a giant maybe. My odds may be better with some scratch offs

mchannon 12y ago ↗

Two tests- 1) Is your idea so great that not only you'll be making money with it, but someone else would want to knock it off so they could make money with it? If not, don't patent.

2) Are you prepared to seek funding for, develop, test, prototype, produce, and market it with full gusto? If not, don't patent it until you are. You lose control of the clock as soon as you start the process, so you better be ready to ride the wave.