INVENTORS / CHEMICALS

Question

I want to invent a cleaning chemical.... I ran across this using a different chemical for a completely different use. Would it be legal to use this chemical or am I S.O.L.? Are there other ways to get around it? And does anyone know of a place I can trust to help patent my idea?

Answer 1

you can not patent the use of a known chemical for another use.  You could patent a device or system that uses the chemical to clean something in a way that is more efficient.

Answer 2

Unlike the first two answers, I think that you may have a good chance of having a patent issued for your new application of a substance that was patented for a different application, as long as there is no other overlap between the two patents. The only problem is that it will probably cost you a significant amount of money to create and then defend the patent as need be. And, considering the fact that the conditions you described will probably casue a legal battle, the resulting legal fees may be somewhat significant and, therefore, preventative.

Answer 3

The patent process is way too compex unless you have lots of money to get one. Its a can of worms for anyone else if you want to get one. Go to the USPO web site and do a search. Its no help to ask a corporation either. None of them will want anything to do with anything that comes from the outside of their company. Been there done that.