Initially I couldn't afford any kind of protection for my product. I could afford the fee for a copyright. So back in 1989 I illustrated my idea added a description and mailed it to the Library of Congress (Form VA) with a personal check to try to get copyright protection. They sent it back and said something to the effect that it was intellectual property and some other stuff and that it couldn't be copyrighted. I still have that stamped Library of Congress illustration. They stamped it on the back of the document and dated it February 6, 1989.
Simultaneously when I did the copyright submission, I showed the illustrated idea to 5 huge corporations along with a description and informatin on how it fits their product line. That was on the the advice of friends and it was a stupid idea.
Now I'm wondering is submitting an idea to a company considered a "printed publication" and does the one year clock to file the patent start? And will that stamped Library of Congress document be helpful?
Please advise
Full Version: Possible Infringement And Possible Patent Invalidity
If the company developed your idea and published it (on web, press, whitepaper)... then, it's considered as
printed publication.
Here are the proper steps.
0) Do your own search or hire a low cost patent search companies (or use the search service provided by inventnet $250)
1) get a provisional patent ( or filed it yourself $100)
you have one year period to claim it as patent pending.
2) next contact the companies and first have them sign a Non-Disclosure document (NDA).
You may download free sample of NDA from internet
3) files utility patent before the 1 year period expire.
(Have the company funded your patent application as well)
=====================================================
In real life, if you haven't heard from companies most probably your solicitation / patent proposal
was ignored by them. Quite common. I have many friends (who own US issued patents) unable to find
a company to sponsor their invention for years.
If you didn't receive any email / phone call from these companies.
Just go ahead, conduct a search and filed provisional patent.
However, you might not able to secure the date of February 6, 1989.
Initially I couldn't afford any kind of protection for my product. I could afford the fee for a copyright. So back in 1989 I illustrated my idea added a description and mailed it to the Library of Congress (Form VA) with a personal check to try to get copyright protection. They sent it back and said something to the effect that it was intellectual property and some other stuff and that it couldn't be copyrighted. I still have that stamped Library of Congress illustration. They stamped it on the back of the document and dated it February 6, 1989.
Simultaneously when I did the copyright submission, I showed the illustrated idea to 5 huge corporations along with a description and informatin on how it fits their product line. That was on the the advice of friends and it was a stupid idea.
Now I'm wondering is submitting an idea to a company considered a "printed publication" and does the one year clock to file the patent start? And will that stamped Library of Congress document be helpful?
Please advise
printed publication.
Here are the proper steps.
0) Do your own search or hire a low cost patent search companies (or use the search service provided by inventnet $250)
1) get a provisional patent ( or filed it yourself $100)
you have one year period to claim it as patent pending.
2) next contact the companies and first have them sign a Non-Disclosure document (NDA).
You may download free sample of NDA from internet
3) files utility patent before the 1 year period expire.
(Have the company funded your patent application as well)
=====================================================
In real life, if you haven't heard from companies most probably your solicitation / patent proposal
was ignored by them. Quite common. I have many friends (who own US issued patents) unable to find
a company to sponsor their invention for years.
If you didn't receive any email / phone call from these companies.
Just go ahead, conduct a search and filed provisional patent.
However, you might not able to secure the date of February 6, 1989.
QUOTE(tizzyta @ Mar 25 2006, 09:26 AM) 
Initially I couldn't afford any kind of protection for my product. I could afford the fee for a copyright. So back in 1989 I illustrated my idea added a description and mailed it to the Library of Congress (Form VA) with a personal check to try to get copyright protection. They sent it back and said something to the effect that it was intellectual property and some other stuff and that it couldn't be copyrighted. I still have that stamped Library of Congress illustration. They stamped it on the back of the document and dated it February 6, 1989.
Simultaneously when I did the copyright submission, I showed the illustrated idea to 5 huge corporations along with a description and informatin on how it fits their product line. That was on the the advice of friends and it was a stupid idea.
Now I'm wondering is submitting an idea to a company considered a "printed publication" and does the one year clock to file the patent start? And will that stamped Library of Congress document be helpful?
Please advise
Thanks for your input and advice kennethc
If nobody has it filed it already... Just file it at USPTO and enjoy the 20 years licensing opportunity (once the patent is issued).
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