OT Anyone here ever patent something?, where to start? Options

[GaroldShaffer]

With all the different products we have here, I am sure someone has got a patent. Got a few ideas that I think I would like to patent. I have been reading some websites but would like to get some first hand input from someone that has done this process before.

Thanks!

[larryp]

I think patents are "evil" is a bit of overstatement. Remember they are founded in the Constitution, since the disclosure of invention fosters development in the useful arts. In return for making disclosure you get the right to exclude others from making, using or selling your invention for a limited period of time.

BTW, that does not include for "personal use", although the prospect of suing for a one-off infringement is ridiculous.

Foreign filings quickly run into serious money but that can be deferred for quite a while by filing a US provisional, then a year later a US nonprovisional together with a PCT. That'll buy you time on your translations, which hopefully you will use to figure out if going ahead is worthwhile in the first place.

As to not making your invention publicly known before filing in the US, the answer is yes, don't, if you plan to file overseas other than Canada. Everywhere else is strict novelty and obtaining an exception to that is a costly PIA. You have one year from making an offer to sell to file in the US.

As promised, if you want to look at some very simple, basic mechanical cases here are a few.

Stereo Cover

Method of Relining Cylinders

Skateboard

Once there, you can click on images and see the thing for real.