Your first task is to find out if your idea is original. This is called market research. Start by simply researching various websites, catalogs and stores to see if you are the first one who has come up with the idea. If you do not find your idea anywhere, the your next task is a patent search. The easiest way to conduct is patent searh is online at the United States Patent Office website:

http://www.uspto.gov

Simply go to the site and enter every keyword that you can think of to describe your invention. It is also very important to do a "classification" search. Many times you will come across inventions listed in the same classifications as yours that you might have missed doing only a keyword search. Be sure to also research your invention by year. Many patents from long ago are still valid. If you have the finances, you you can have the search conducted by either a patent attorney. Check our Helpful Websites link for details.

Confidentiality
Unfortunately, everyone in the world is not honest. You have no doubt heard horror stories of stolen ideas. If you intend to discuss your idea with anyone, be sure to have them sign a "Non-Disclosure Agreement". You can write one up yourself. Simply type a letter that strictly prohibits discussion of your idea with any third party. Be sure to have it signed and notarized.

Protection
The type of invention that you are considering will determine what type of protection you need to establish. A utility patent is for an invention that is utilitarian (it has a use). A trademark is for a product name, logo or slogan that describes a product. A copyright is for written or artistic work. An intellectual property attorney can tell you which kind or kinds of protection would be appropriate for your concept.

Is Your Invention Good Enough?
Two words: Yes, if ...your idea is a good one if it's original, if it improves upon a current product, if it solves a common problem, or if it's a novelty.

The First Step
Here's the good news ...you have already gotten started. The worst mistake any inventor can make is to do nothing. Read. Do research. Gather information. Set Goals. Write everything down. Don't spend all of your money. Keep Dreaming ...and don't give up!

Should You Tell Your Friends and Relatives?
Be careful. Only tell those friends that you trust completely. Until your idea is "protected" it is better to tell as few people as possible. The first person to apply for a patent is usually the one who received it. Never tell anyone your idea unless you are sure that they will not try to take credit for it themselves. The exception is when you use a "Non-Disclosure Agreement". If someone signs an NDA, it is not counted as a "public disclosure" of your invention. The US Patent Office has very strict rules about "public disclosure" of your invention. From your first public disclosure you have exactly one year to file for your patent or lose all rights to ever file for a patent on it.

You Have a Great Idea. Now What?
The first thing to do is to start keeping a journal. In the journal you need to describe and draw your invention the best that you can. Then you need to have two people who are not related to you to read your description and sign and date the page where you described it. This is very important. It is essential that you keep your journal in exactly the right sort of journal book. It must be a book in which the pages are stitched or sewn in. It must not be a book with glued pages. Another important thing about your journal is the way you write in your entries. You must write on every single line all the way across the page. Ignore the margins. Just completely fill it in.

Each new entry into the journal should start immediately following the last entry. It is important to always put the date at the beginning of each entry. Your journal will be a complete record of your progress with your invention. Keep it just like a diary. Tell every detail of your efforts regarding your invention. List the names of people you talk with and new ideas relating to your invention as they come up. Your journal will show when you first had your idea and how you developed it. The journal will serve as legal proof in a court of law when you first came up with the idea for your invention. If two people have the same idea and both have journals, the one with the earliest beginning date will be considered the inventor. This is the reason it is important not to leave any blank spaces as you write in your journal. If you need to show your journal in a court of law and the spaces are all filled in, it will not look as if you came back at a later date and added information.