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I have designed something to help with re-cycling plastic bags.?

I have designed a cheap way of recycling plastic carrier bags. I am afraid that if i show it to someone in a company, they may copy the idea. Are patents very expensive??? should i just make it myself without a patent.? It is very cheap to assemble and make. can i submit a patent on my own? will i need engineering drawings to submit to the patents office? Thanks for your help.

9 months ago - 9 answers

Best Answer

Chosen by Asker

Only show it to someone if you have a signed NDA from them (not applicable for patent agents/attorneys who are covered by their charter) But at this stage you should be researching it not showing it :- is it new? does it work? - you must answer these two questions. Patenting is expensive. Its affordable in one country but very expensive worldwide. You can write the patent application yourself but in my opinion thats a false economy because its a legal document and will need to stand up under scrutiny if challenged. You don't need engineering drawings as such: just simple, clear line drawings. Initially these can be informal (sketches are ok) but later will have to be tidied up. The problem with manufacturing without a patent is that if you start getting successful people will copy it. They will then have a ready-made item to copy (no development costs) and if they are a bigger player then they can make more and thus more cheaply and you are then put out of business. That is what patents are for : to protect small innovators. Hope that helps (I was going to email you but I see you don't accept emails. So if you want further info, wing me a message).

Source(s)

UK innovations co, est 2000

by Ev-ian

9 months ago

Asker's Rating: 

Other Answers

Phone the patents office - quickly! Don't put ideas like this on line!

by scotbel- 9 months ago

go on dragons den that might help and it would be free advertising .. so its a win win situation

by rusty0010- 9 months ago

www ... All the info you need is at the above link

by richard_beckham2001- 9 months ago

get on to patents fast and make this your idea not the big guns hope you do well

by mick w- 9 months ago

You should try the Intellectual Prperty Office under the following linl:- www.ipo.gov.uk Here you will find out everything on patents abd how to go about registering, etc.

by William Tells- 9 months ago

you're a bit silly putting your main business idea on the internet. you could have just asked "Where do I visit for patenting a product?"

by Crowbar- 9 months ago

Do you really think you'll be able to sell this? It might not be worth a patent.

by Tim- 9 months ago

definitely need something like that so our landfills aren't full of plastic bags ... get your invention patented and made ... peace

by Special K- 9 months ago