I have an awesome idea for an improvement for a product. What now? [more inside]
posted by boo_radley on Dec 16, 2009 - 13 answers

How do I go about proposing a new business service concept to Google? [more inside]
posted by Eltulipan on Dec 4, 2009 - 10 answers

What kind of small toys or devices click when you rotate them forwards and backwards? Seeking mechanism or design... [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Nov 21, 2009 - 13 answers

Does anyone own a patent for the button? As in, the button you press to turn on your tv, or to dial your phone, or to nuke the planet from orbit. not the button on your shirt. [more inside]
posted by shmegegge on Oct 20, 2009 - 8 answers

I want to sell a cologne. How do I do that? [more inside]
posted by defmute on Sep 5, 2009 - 8 answers

I have invented a card game and would like to protect it before I start large-scale game testing. I can't find useful information about the laws surrounding protecting this kind of intellectual property. First, what kind of protections should I be seeking for a card game? Second, any recommendations on reputable, ethical lawyers in Seattle who can help me protect my game?
posted by velvetsmog on Sep 4, 2009 - 9 answers

What company should we order a patent plaque from? [more inside]
posted by Blue Jello Elf on Jul 9, 2009 - 4 answers

USPTO question: Am I the only person who needs to fill out the Certificate of Mailing, or does something need to be filled out/signed/stamped by the post office? Looking at the form, it looks like something that only I need to sign, but when I spoke to a woman at the PTO on the phone, she said that I needed to get the post office to do something. I don't think that's right, reading the reg, and looking at the form, but I was looking for a little advice. Thanks!
posted by mercredi on Apr 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Should I take the patent bar? [more inside]
posted by palmcorder_yajna on Apr 1, 2009 - 10 answers

I have invented a calendar that I think is unique in design and function. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Feb 8, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm a scientist considering taking the USPTO exam. I have a few questions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2009 - 10 answers

Let's assume I have a US patent for a certain software server technology, like better Google or youtube. Would this patent protect me from infringement abroad, where servers would serve requests coming from USA? [more inside]
posted by luntain on Jan 20, 2009 - 8 answers

Is it difficult to get hired by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner? [more inside]
posted by rybreadmed on Oct 12, 2008 - 9 answers

How does one become a patent agent in the United States? [more inside]
posted by universal_qlc on Oct 3, 2008 - 6 answers

DoesorwhydoesntthisexistFilter: A very simple guitar synth. [more inside]
posted by tmcw on Aug 10, 2008 - 19 answers

Can I patent a sandwich? I may have just invented the best sandwich ever, and before I reveal the recipe I want to know it's safe from those would attempt to misuse it's power for evil. [more inside]
posted by Dillonlikescookies on Jun 21, 2008 - 44 answers

I want to do a research study involving someone else's patented idea. What magic powers do patents have on the use of the idea in research? [more inside]
posted by parkerjackson on Jun 3, 2008 - 3 answers

PatentFilter: When das a patent expire? [more inside]
posted by yoyo_nyc on Jan 14, 2008 - 7 answers

I am currently involved in setting up a website, and it is proving to be a Herculean task. However, thanks to an instilled sense of guilt and a desire to feel worthful, for a change, I have decided to give back to those that may not be as lucky, as rich, or as pretty as me, namely New York’s starving (or just struggling) artists. My goal, through this website, is to give them a helping hand for free, but obviously need some sort of funding and business plan to move forwards with. I have no experience with any of this. Please help! My main concerns, not having ever done this before, are worrying about how to get funding/donations, whether I need to turn it into an NPO, and whether I should be worried about business-minded people stealing my idea, commercializing it, and basically shoving me out of the way. The following are a list of problems for the immediate future. I have listed them all here because of AskMetafilter’s one-week policy on posting new threads. [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Jan 6, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm developing an e-commerce project with business processes that are truly unique and might be patentable. I understand there is serious debate about the benefit and/or validity of many patents in this field, but I think my idea stands up to the bullshit test, and I don't think protecting it would be anti-competitive.

So, should I launch and go about protecting the invention later, or should I hire a patent attorney right away? I've searched the patent databases myself and found nothing remotely similar. But I'm not an expert.
posted by subpixel on Dec 28, 2007 - 7 answers

Anyone have any experiences with San Francisco patent attorneys? I want to try to get a utility patent. [more inside]
posted by trevyn on Nov 18, 2007 - 5 answers

I had an idea that, if patentable, would be worth quite a bit. However the chance of it being patentable is low (about 10-20%) and wouldn't be marketable by itself and would most likely require sale to a computer manufacturer. Are there any businesses that handle these kinds of ideas for a % of ownership in the potential patent? [more inside]
posted by JakeLL on Oct 16, 2007 - 19 answers

PatentFilter: If a company has a patent in its non-US home country, can it sill after some years apply for a US-Patent? [more inside]
posted by yoyo_nyc on Oct 13, 2007 - 5 answers

ISP, OpenSource options that can forward emails to your phone/alternate-address, so that when you reply, the replies are sent from your email address (and not from your phone's email address), and threats of patenting said idea. [more inside]
posted by lundman on Aug 28, 2007 - 4 answers

How do I apply a new technology to old products when I have access to neither, and make money doing it? [more inside]
posted by UnclePlayground on Aug 3, 2007 - 12 answers

I'm looking for an outline/timeline of the steps/stages of patent litigation in the US. Can anyone help? [more inside]
posted by loquax on Jul 20, 2007 - 9 answers

Is there a way to market a toy to a company, get royalties from it and never file for a patent? [more inside]
posted by spacefire on Jul 12, 2007 - 10 answers

I want to take a patent bar exam review course. There are quite a few around. Can anyone help my choose? Maybe list some pros and cons of the course you took if you cannot compare courses. Saving money is not an issue - passing is!!!
posted by fritzkers on Apr 19, 2007 - 5 answers

I want to make internal parts for someone else's electronic item, please help me determine the legal direction I should take. [more inside]
posted by luckyshirl on Feb 20, 2007 - 7 answers

I need help finding the patent for David and Dania's quick change act effect. [more inside]
posted by schnee on Feb 1, 2007 - 2 answers

I own the Brazilian patent to a popular US toy that has sold over 100 million dollars. What now? [more inside]
posted by AnyGuelmann on Jan 15, 2007 - 17 answers

1) Why does Adobe (and others) include patent numbers when its programs start (ex. Acrobat)? 2) What is the specific term that refers to the notion of swaying an opinion of something by describing it in certain terms? (Ex. These are absolutely stunning wildlife photos!) [more inside]
posted by Clementines4ever on Nov 28, 2006 - 5 answers

I have an idea for an improvement on a current product. How do I materialize it? [more inside]
posted by h2 on Nov 18, 2006 - 11 answers

If I purchase something, but it violates a patent, does liability transfer to me? Do I have to cease use of something I purchased because its original creator didn't manage the IP correctly? Might I, in fact, need to pay damages or sacrifice profits due to their tainted acquisition path? What law is specifically involved here?
posted by effugas on Nov 17, 2006 - 5 answers

How can I learn about intellectual property law before I go to law school? [more inside]
posted by brett on Oct 10, 2006 - 13 answers

How do I patent a product that I know can be made but can't do it myself? [more inside]
posted by special-k on Jun 16, 2006 - 13 answers

Hypothetically, what would happen if an inventor (one of several) did not sign a patent application? [more inside]
posted by forforf on May 24, 2006 - 9 answers

Help me track down and understand the owner of mutation's patent. [more inside]
posted by Sara Anne on Apr 13, 2006 - 13 answers

Inventionfilter: Lets say I've come up with a brilliant idea that will change the world as we know it. How do I go about making this idea a reality? [more inside]
posted by ZackTM on Mar 20, 2006 - 15 answers

Is it possible to anonymize my business somewhat to make it a more slippery target for frivolous B2B lawsuits? [more inside]
posted by chef_boyardee on Mar 5, 2006 - 11 answers

I'm looking for an old (pre-1900) patent and the USPTO site only allows patent number and classification searches for pre-1975 patents. [more inside]
posted by tommasz on Feb 27, 2006 - 16 answers

Has anyone here ever created their own computer game? I don't play computer games that often but my sister and I just came up with the most brilliant idea for one [more inside]
posted by bluehermit on Feb 4, 2006 - 23 answers

Defensive patents for free and open source software: can I bind a specific type of license with a patent ? [more inside]
posted by a007r on Jan 11, 2006 - 5 answers

My company engages in immoral, and borderline illegal behavior; how can I do something about it and still keep my job? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 20, 2005 - 42 answers

How should I protect an idea which requires collaboration and may be patentable? [more inside]
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium on Nov 25, 2005 - 6 answers

Remember the VW Microbus from 70's? I have question about the expanding roof... [more inside]
posted by curiousleo on Sep 23, 2005 - 10 answers

Looking for manufacturer, patent info of electronic display signs. [more inside]
posted by miniape on Sep 22, 2005 - 6 answers

I have a question with research scientists. They do research for universities and such. Do they reap any reward (monetary) when they're original research develops into a patentable discovery? Or are they just salaried employees?
posted by erd0c on Aug 29, 2005 - 18 answers

MetaLegalFilter: So, how foolish/wise is it to patent something yourself? [read the fine print inside] [more inside]
posted by weston on Jul 30, 2004 - 9 answers