How do you buy a patent? + Business tips.?

Question

I am quite young and I really want to start a business, with an idea I have got. I don't have any experience in doing so. How do I patent a product and does it cost a lot? Also, any addition business tips for me? I will be very grateful for any responses.

Answer 1

Well you can patent a product or invention through the US Patents Office.  You can find the application and basic information here:

http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm

Also keep in mind, that you can not patent an idea.  You can only patent something of matter.  That is an actual product or invention or design of something of matter.  

So if you have say an internet idea, then that can not be patented.  

If you have an idea then you have to develop a beta or proto-type in order to protect it.  

Starting a business is not easy, it takes a lot of money to get something on the ground.  Since you are quite young, I imagine that starting costs will be a problem.  If it's something that won't take much money to get off the ground, then you'll be fine to do this on your own.  

If you need help with money you can look for private investors or look at Venture Capitalists to help you get started.  Microsoft used a Venture Capitalist to get started.  Just to give you an idea of how successful businesses got started.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Depending on what the product is, it can be very expensive or not expensive at all to patent something.  The most expensive part is submitting a working prototype or drawing of the item you want patented - if you can build the prototype your self, it is obviously cheaper then getting someone to build it for you.

Check with the Patent Trademark Office (PTO) for the steps to patenting your idea.