The predominant message at present is

“If you have an idea, keep it secret and go to a Patent Agent”

This is WRONG - NO – NO - NO.

 

Patent Agents are commercial profit-making BUSINESSES.

Going first to a Patent Agent will risk spending a lot of time and money on an idea which has little chance of success.

The agent is unlikely to criticise the idea, even if they are able, and they have no incentive to do so. 

It is in the agent's interest to set the originator on an expensive path whatever the value of the idea.

If they told you your Invention was “no good, go away” they would make little or NO money!


“You would not believe them anyway and may well go elsewhere and waste EVEN more money”

If you satisfy yourself you need a patent it MUST be that last thing you do.

THE PATENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS ALSO A BUSINESS.

( FOR an explanation of what a patent can and cannot do. Responsibility for enforcement etc.  Advice on avoiding VP's)

A lot more good advice at www.InveningToday.co.uk

 

 

The very best protection is a secret.

It can cost nothing.

It could last forever.

It is difficult or impossible to copy.

NO PAPERWORK

 

 TIF Advice to lone inventors:
    Join a TIF inventors club before disclosing an idea to PatenAgents or anyone else.

    A TIF inventors club will give an opportunity for the idea to be evaluated
confidentially by a group of informed people as opposed to a single person
who may not have sufficient expertise. 

Ill conceived ideas can be identified and explained.

Good ideas can be improved whilst still remaining the property of the originator.

The originator can be given a guide to the amount of work needed to take the idea to fruition.

Contacts for prototype manufacture etc can be given.

    The club will be able to point out the strengths and weaknesses of the
patent system and the problems of taking the idea forward.