How do you patent an idea?

Question

I have a good idea for an invention, how would you go about this process?

Answer 1

It is rather difficult to patent a mechanical device because of the 250 years of development of mechanical devices. A Chemical Process is somewhat easier to obtain a Patent. Contact a Patent Attorney with

your idea. Have in hand drawings of your idea and a written explaination of your idea and how it works.

Good  Luck, RLO

Answer 2

you can't patent an idea.  You can patent a model or plans or something physical, but words cannot.  Words can have a copyright.

Answer 3

The very first thing to do when you have a good idea is probably to do a good business plan, so that you know whether it really makes sense or not.    There is no reason to pay money / lawyers to submit a patent if you aren't going to be able to do anything with it.

I was just reading about this - about how many entrepreneurs end up heading down the path of hard-core intellectual property protection rather than solid business development.

For now, just make sure that you don't share your idea with anyone unless you have a non-disclosure agreement in place.   That will provide you with quite a bit of legal protection while you get your idea off the ground.