Methodology
This is our methodology for turning an idea into a reality:
First check that your idea is novel and has no prior art.
You can search for prior art via the internet using a search engine like google.
What is prior art?
Any information that is already in existence, similar or the same as your idea!
If you do not find anything then search the UK Patent website at: www.ipo.gov.uk
Click on “patents” then click on “other people’s patents” then click on “monitoring patent applications” then click on the word “esp@cenet”.
Click on “Advanced Search”
Box 1: “KEY WORDS IN TITLE”.
Only enter words that best describe your idea. For example “Pen”
Box 2: “KEY WORDS IN TITLE OR ABSTRACT”
Enter the most important keywords, to be searched within the abstract.
For example “Radio”
By compiling the above search, you will be able to establish if a patent has been granted for a “Radio Pen”. (Please note this search is only a preliminary guide)
The keywords that you choose are very important, as you will obtain different results with different keywords. For example, if you enter “Writing Instrument” instead of “Pen”, different patents results could be found!
The search results are only as accurate as the user’s input details.
The public website search is not as substantial as the search carried out by the patent office examiner.
The public only have access to search fully granted patents from the Patent web-site. However, patent agents have additional access to search applications etc. This includes file dates and failed patent applications etc.
Search for worldwide patents here: http://www.FreePatentsOnline.com and here: http://www.SumoBrain.com
Don’t forget not all patents are written in English, so you should also search in other languages like German or Chinese etc….
If you can not find any evidence of prior art, you should now apply for your Patent file date, which is free.
A full UK patent application costs £230 – £280 if you carry out all the work yourself.
Note: There are some discounts available for online filing (filing by post costs £280 and filing online costs £230)
You can phone the patent office on: 0845 9 500 505 and ask for the form 1/77 or down-load it direct from the IPO web-site.
Once you have submitted this form along with your invention description via post, the patent office will issue you a patent number and file date. This normally takes around 1-2 working days. However you can now file on-line and receive an instant email from the IPO with a patent application number.
To receive your free file date, you are only required to send, form 1/77 and your patent description. The sooner you submit all the documents i.e. descriptions, abstracts, claims, drawings & all payments, the quicker your patent can be processed.
What are the advantages of submitting forms 9A/77 + 10/77 and paying both fees of £180 & £100 together?
Your application will be completed sooner.
What are the disadvantages of paying both fees together?
If the patent office finds any prior art that already exists, instead of losing £180, you will lose £280.
From your file date you have a maximum of 12 months to submit:
Form 9A/77 (search and application fee of £180.00) and Fee Sheet (FS2)
If you find this process daunting, you could instruct a patent agent to deal with your patent application but this will be costly.
Alternatively
For free professional advice you can contact the CIPA (The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents) to arrange an appointment.
The CIPA run a FREE clinic once a week, every Tuesday evening.
Individuals can obtain half-an-hour free basic advice, from a Chartered Patent Agent on patents, trade marks, designs, etc. All Patent Agents are volunteers.
We found this very helpful.
The CIPA can be contacted on 020 7405 9450 or www.cipa.org.uk
3rd Floor, 95 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1DT.
You can contact the patent office and they will give you free advice over the phone and send you an information/starter pack, free of charge.
My personal advice, for a minimal outlay and low risk, is to test the market by:
Checking that your invention can meet any necessary British Standards, CE or any other regulations required (you can buy copies of BS documents but they are very expensive or you can visit you library and they will allow you the read the BS document for free).
Obtain a FREE patent file date.
Commissioning 3D CAD drawings, of your product to show potential clients / buyers and or develop a fully working prototype to prove and demonstrate the concept.
Contact potential product buyers.
If you intend to license your invention you may not require a fully working prototype and a 3D CAD drawing should be sufficient, to illustrate and present your product.
A proof of concept may be required but not for the first meeting.
Use the internet to your advantage by networking on forums like: www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk and www.4networking.biz
Plus finding key contacts via websites such as: www.linkedin.com or www.ecademy.com
The best way to test and demonstrate your invention is to make a fully working prototype.
It is safer to first develop a prototype and gauge interest from buyers than jump in at the deep end and spend large amounts of money on mould tools and stock, only to find that you have no market.
Depending on the complexity of your invention you may be able to make your own prototype.
If your prototype requires professional development it is best to pay for a company to produce this for you.
You can have your prototype produced in England but I have found that the most cost effective country is probably China.
A factory that offers an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) service, usually also offers a product / prototype development service. OEM indicates that a manufacturer offers the service of manufacturing products to be marketed under another company’s brand.
Finding a Chinese company to produce your prototype and not steal your idea!
You can use a global searching website, such as: www.alibaba.com
The single most important and safest action, when using Alibaba, is to only contact gold suppliers:
Gold Suppliers are an online community of premium export-oriented suppliers from China.
Only members that have completed an authentication and verification procedure conducted by a third-party credit agency can be a Gold Supplier.
Authentication
A third party credit agency confirms that a member registered with Alibaba.com is legally registered and that its business address is correct.
Verification
A third party credit agency confirms that the contact person of a member registered with Alibaba.com is employed or associated with the member.
All “Gold Suppliers” have satisfied the payment requirements for “Gold Suppliers” membership.
Just because a manufacturer is a Gold Supplier, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are Snow White! You need to build trust and talk with them through emails, MSN Messenger and Trade Manager. When you first contact the company, before giving any vital details of your invention, ask if they are able to produce a prototype! If they are unable to provide this service, move on to the next company and this way you haven’t given away any of your invention details.
When you are considering a company to produce your prototype, you also need to look ahead long term for the prospect of them eventually producing the mould tools and your product in mass production…..
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