Posted by Chris on December 07, 2004 at 13:15:54:
In Reply to: Patenting diving inventions posted by Eric S on December 06, 2004 at 22:08:04:
I have 2 patents and have researched several others.
You need to establish a date of invention. Write down a description of your idea with pictures and diagrams. Sign and date it. Then have two witnesses read, sign (with the notation "read and understood") and date your invention descrition. Then file this somewhere where it will not be lost.
You then have to research prior art. This includes both patents and non-patented items. Some of this you can do online, but the best way is spend a few days in the Patent Office in Cystal City, Virgina.
If your invention is not covered by prior patents and you think you can make enough money off of it to proceed, you should then work with a patent lawyer and file it.