I've got this idea, see?
Published on December 21, 2005 By Spc Nobody Special In Pure Technology
Alright, three articles in an hour, much less a day. That's almost like spamming for me.

I had a brilliant idea the other day, but I don't know how to follow through with it. I think I've figured out the perfect way to put away Christmas lights. Especially icicle lights. No tangle, no knots, no mess, and less chance of breaking. I'd explain, but.....well, this is the frickin' internet. This is the kind of idea that hits ya like once a decade and you go "damn, I could really make some money off of that."

The problem? How to develop my product? The idea's simple, making it's incredibly simple, but let's face it, I don't have the capacity at my house to put out ten thousand units of anything. I could make a prototype easy enough, but I need to find someone who can take it, and for a piece of the action, run with it. Developing and marketing on no budget and no experience are not my forte.

I also know how to do a "poor man's copyright," simply by mailing yourself a copy of whatever it is in a sealed and registered envelope. I used to know guys to do that with music all the time. It was great, because instead of paying a copyright on each one, you were only limited to how much paper you could fit in the envelope at a time. However for something like this, I'd like to do it a little better. Does anybody have the business knowhow to get something like this off the ground?

Comments
on Dec 21, 2005
Get together as much documentation, examples, mockups, whatever, as you can and see a good patent attorney. Most will advise you on the feasability and costs associated with protecting your idea.
If you go that route, after that it is all marketing. In the case you describe, probably marketing to manufacturers of similar or related items.
on Dec 21, 2005
How much do you want?  I'll Pay!
on Dec 22, 2005
Me too... my wife insisted on putting icicle lights on our second-story overhang. That was fun, especially in the cold and snowy conditions we'd been having.
They were such a pain to get out of the box and unbent in the first place... so a gadget to help put them away? Excellent. I'm all for it.
on Dec 23, 2005
Get together as much documentation, examples, mockups, whatever, as you can and see a good patent attorney.


I'll look into it. Thanks.

How much do you want? I'll Pay!


For the whole shebang? Just don't rip me off, and I'll send the idea to you. Double-cross me, and you'd better not leave me alive. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! You will have to make your own though, it's just an idea so far, but it's not that hard. Got an email address?

Me too... my wife insisted on putting icicle lights on our second-story overhang


Drop me a line, you've got my email, same thing.
on Dec 30, 2005
Just don't go with one of those "inventor's" companies you see advertised. They are just a scam, barely even legal. A reputable patent attorney really is good advice.

Once you own the patent, you can then approach companies to either buy the patent from you, (retaining a royalty for yourself) or to partner with you in manufacturing and marketing your product.