 |
| Question: How do investors or manufactures contact me? |
|
| Answer: They will use the click 'to e-mail' button. That produces a Form on which they must enter their details and the inventor they want to contact. We forward their details to you, so that you can contact them only if you are interested.
|
|
| Question: How do I find out if my idea is patentable - or maybe already patented? |
|
| Answer: The easy way is
through a (your) patent agent. the harder way is to use the
search facilities of your National Patent Offices. Start
with their 'enquiries' ( eg.on-line search is usually available
for a fee). |
|
| Question: How do I find a patent agent? |
|
| Answer: Go to the National
Association of patent agents, see useful addresses. We advise
you to ask for and choose an agent who mainly works in the field
of your invention. |
|
| Question: how should I describe my invention? |
|
| Answer: Generally you will do best to give a clear and well thought out preliminary description that your Mother could follow. Say, 60 to 100 words, but get Mother or any other reader/ hearer to sign a Confidentiality Agreement first! (we assume that you would not yet have made a patent application) |
|
| Question: How do I respond to an inquiry if I have not yet applied for a Patent? |
|
Answer: Be very careful not to give anything away about your invention. Keep to the simple fields and categories in the Directory. You can expand upon information in your short page such as your skills and experience, and why you need assistance.
Read our Guidance document and Intellectual Property.
|
|
| Question: What rights do I gain by making a patent application? |
|
| Answer: . It's date gives you priority over any virtually similar invention applied for afterwards. It enables you to get all kinds of assistance without the need for keeping it out of the Public Domaine, see Intellectual Property. |
|
| Question: How does the label 'patent no.xxxxxx' differ from the label 'Patent Applied for'? |
|
| Answer: The first is patented
(or claims to be), for the second see above. |
|
| Question: How does Design Copyright differ from Registered Design? |
|
| Answer: If you had designed something (apparently unique) in the past, or just yesterday, you have design copyright, provided you have documents or the actual product, and evidence of the date. Fine but enforcement is naturally tricky. Someone whose virtually identical product has been Registered is in a much stronger position. See Intellectual Property. |
|
| Question: How is a patent better than a registered design? |
|
| Answer: Design Protection essentially protects only appearance and not any functional ingenuity. On the other hand it's life is very much longer than a patent. See Intellectual Property. |
|
| Question: How can I have a prototype of my design made before making a patent application? |
|
| Answer: First find the maker, Get them to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. |
|
| Question: Can I send hard copies of photo and drawing? |
|
| Answer: Yes, see Illustrations but of course the postal system can be much slower. |
|
| Question: How
much does it cost me to advertise on Eseli? |
|
Answer: See
Table Below:
| Full page with 2
illustrations |
£ 100 |
€ 143.50 |
$ 160 |
| Short page (prior
to patent application) |
£ 60 |
€ 86 |
$ 96 |
| Conversion of short
to full page |
£ 80 |
€ 115 |
$ 128 |
| Renewal of existing
full page |
£ 50 |
€ 71 |
$ 79 |
| Renewal of short
page |
£ 30 |
€ 42 |
$ 47 |
| Second display page |
£ 50 |
€ 71 |
$ 79 |
| Renewal of second
page |
£ 50 |
€ 71 |
$ 79 |
|
|
