Anyone ever registered a patent?

Well, depending on what it is, it may actually be better to get a patent for the "thing" instead of just the design of it.

Is it something which you think may generate a lot of money?

Without giving it away, the 'thing' could be used worldwide, is a household thing and also commerical, wouldn't be a high priced item, but could be offered as stages or sets selling for umm $20 maybe more. Is very basic really. I just made it to make my life easier and everyone I've mentioned it to have all said along the lines of "wow thats so simple I wonder why it's never been done before" type thing.

I wouldn't mind getting a backer for it, problem is you have to tell x amount of people before you'd find one that would, in the meantime one of the others could go ahead and patent it, would cost me $300 to oppose their patent.

I'm in two minds, one I'd like everyone to know about it and use it, but don't want others to make money off it, two I wouldn't mind making some money off it.

talk with a legal person, dont tell him the actual product, find some dummy product or idea, tell him is there anychance he can protect that item from being copied, and if copied you can take legal action, lawyers would do their jobs, you do yours...

I would suggest getting a worldwide patent if it's going to be that good.

If you don't do it now, some sneaky business minded person will just come along and make millions off your product.

A legal person is an option but I hate them with passion *money grabbing lieing lowlifes mumble grumble* I know I shouldn't tarnish them all with the same brush but everyone i doubt with in my life has had dollar signs in their eyes and no care in the world.
This goes back 20 years when the lawyer said dont waste your time defending it, you wont win ... So I defended myself and got off it, I couldn't see how I could not as I had proof, physical proof. thats just one case.

It's good but not everyone would use it, some people in the world wear hats, some have facial hair (its not a fashion item or anything related).
It's not something I could market directly as such. It's not a standalone item (although with some work possibly could be) so would be made then distrubuted to the stores that sell the related stuff

Well, your idea actually sounds marketable so I would actually take the risk and go with the worldwide patent.

You don't want to find out that you didn't file the patent because you thought it won't sell and then some business person markets it and makes a killing.

Just about anything will sell these days.

Dont you have some friends in the legal field, just for consultation? If You feel strongly about your "thing", then go and spend that much for a world patent, take it as an investment to your idea, it might pay-off quite well, and lastly... dont forget about us if it does pay off, LOL!

looking into it more, it seems it's not a quick process, a world wide (not full) patent takes about 31 months and the forms page has 36 forms, all patent related.
No wonder they have patent lawyers.

One interesting thing I did learn is a patent only lasts 20 years, where as a copyright is 50.

Thanks for the insights guys, I'll probably proceed with it and once I get it underway will disclose what it is (don't wait up lol it's not that exciting).
If it pays off I'll buy me some new jeans (re another thread about buying second hand clothes)

Good luck with your patent of the toaster oh... err... um... sorry... your "thing"

Yeah good luck with that, and tell us the whole story, maybe Ill patent my thingamajig...

It's .......

a belly button warmer

not

That long gestation period is why so many products are made that say "Patent Pending."

I'm not even going to look into making it until patent is done, getting it produced will cost a fortune and having someone come in underneath and find a loop hole or something just isn't worth the risk.

Busy,
Here it is in a nut shell. I have a packet some where around the house for an electronic tester I built. There is a form that you can right up your self or have it written. The name of this form has escaped me for the moment but it is worded something like this... Agreement of Confidenuality

I (UNDERSIGNED) On Ths Date 4 April, 2006 Do Promise not to devulge to anybody nor try to sell Patten, Copyright or produce in any form of (Invented Name or Product) belonging to the indvidual (Your Name). I understand (Your Name) is only to show me (Name Of Product) for the purpose of discussion of marketing, patening and or Copyright. I Do understand Under Severe Penalty of law any devulgence by myself or my company Without the written concent of (Your Name)

Signed: Date:
Your Name: Date:
Witness: Date:

And it is better to have at least 2 witnesses...

Good Luck
The Woodsman From Wisconsin
PS My little invention is locked away The people I went to were looking for a down payment of $4,000.00 just to start the patent search.... as I said I have it locked away...

Thanks Woodsman, although I wouldn't trust people enough to keep to it. It's like having a copyright symbol on your webpage, people still steal images, text and stuff from it and most of the time not for profit, just a case of wanting to use it cause it's cool

I hate to bring up this old thread but have you done anything about it, busy? I'm curious to know how it went or is going.

why dont you try to register with godaddy. they have a service regarding with this. try godaddy.com

oh i c now. i try it to help you out. i know that godaddy has this service.

and I appreciate your input, is all new to me, am learning as I go