How do I patent my invention?

[roliath]

I heard about this idea over a beer.

"Its called toilet buddy. Its a net that goes into the toilet to catch all the things your drop, like your keys, wallet, cellphone, while going to the bathroom."

well he stole that idea from michael scott @ dunder mifflin (the office)
Michael Scott: You are? Good ideas, huh? Hey did you come up with Toilet Buddy? It's a net, a circular net you put inside the toilet to catch all of your change and your wallet from falling into the toilet? Formerly known as Toilet Guard?

[Cannon88]

"I had this great idea once. It was a Jump to Conclusions Mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor... and would have different conclusions written on it that you could jump to."

[GhostTX]

Mail yourself an envelope with the design.

I'm willing to bet the Patent Office's website would be a good start.

Mailing to yourself is a good idea, as it time stamps envelope (just don't open it). Or notary public the document.

I used to illustrate patents as my jobs. so heres my 2 cents

review most of this:

http://www.uspto.gov/patents/index.jsp

Search for your item here:

http://www.google.com/patents

If its a simple item you can patent it yourself, but if its complex or you want to market it you probably want to get a patent attorney. Just a warning they arent cheap. You can also avoid the whole patent thing by having a company buy the idea outright it will still involve a lawyer but it wont be as expensive

I like this link for quick searching:

http://patft.uspto.gov/

You can pay NERAC, too, to run a thorough search:

http://www.nerac.com/

[Blame Canada]

"I had this great idea once. It was a Jump to Conclusions Mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor... and would have different conclusions written on it that you could jump to."

What about the Pluggie???

[jdgregory84]

Fail. It would work in urinals.

How in the world would somebody drop something in a urinal?

[Blame Canada]

How in the world would somebody drop something in a urinal?

You ever try texting while pissing with a boner?

[cde21]

You ever try texting while pissing with a boner?

hahahaha wtf

[Cannon88]

You ever try texting while pissing with a boner?

LMAO! Wtf!!

[Mike]

You ever try texting while pissing with a boner?

Yes, but only while on drugs.

[John -- '02 HAWK]

Mailing to yourself is a good idea, as it time stamps envelope (just don't open it). Or notary public the document.

Mailing to yourself is a pretty weak defense for patents. If inventor B invented the same idea with out knowledge of inventor A and patents it before Inventor A does. Then Inventor B will win any violation suits as B was the first to file even if A invented the years before.

Mailing to yourself for copyright, hold more ground

[OldGuysRule]

If it is so brilliant it will make you Oprah rich then I'd get to an attorney. But as some one pointed out they aren't cheap. Two times I went through the patent process (both with lawyers) it ended up being a 2 year process and about 20K each.

[jdgregory84]

You ever try texting while pissing with a boner?

I can't say I've ever had a boner in the mens bathroom.

[Blame Canada]

I can say I always have a boner in the mens bathroom.

Thats just wrong man!!!

[Cannon88]

I can't say I've ever had a boner in the mens bathroom.

Can't say because it was in your mouf!

[HarrisonTX]

well he stole that idea from michael scott @ dunder mifflin (the office)
Michael Scott: You are? Good ideas, huh? Hey did you come up with Toilet Buddy? It's a net, a circular net you put inside the toilet to catch all of your change and your wallet from falling into the toilet? Formerly known as Toilet Guard?

LMAO YES!

Fail. It would also catch your shit (literally).

You fail at picking up on the joke..

I'm sorry for turning this thread so shitty...
God I crack myself up