Anyone here ever patent anything?

[yengese]

I came up with a unique idea for my senior project at LTU, and I am being told by people in that industry that I should patent it.
I have heard many things, but has anyone here ever went through it, and if so, can you give me the rundown ( $, time, requirements. etc) I would really appreciate it.

[Jim Simmons]

You really want a patent attorney to assist you with patenting it. Contact your county's bar association for a referral, or look in your yellow pages under listings for Attorneys -- Intellectual Property.

Or PM me and I'll give you a referral.

Jim Simmons
jtsimmons@jtsimmons.com

[yengese]

pm is on its way. Thanks for the reply

[ccw4all]

i have two patents with the u.s. patent and trade office - http://www.uspto.gov/

[jmoser]

Jim is right - get a patent attorney involved. You can expect to spend several thousand dollars by the time a good, thorough application is prepared and filed though. Then you have other maintenance fees over the life of the patent, extra if you want overseas coverage, etc. etc. The real b*tch is enforcing your patent when and if you get it granted. Not to mention the 1 - 3 year wait for the US Patent Office to grant or deny your application.

I am not trying to discourage you, just letting you know the stark reality. And yes, I do have a patent in my name. Work with intellectual property on a regular basis as part of my job.

In the meantime keep rigorous records of all of your work, document everything you do and everyone you have discussed this with to date. Don't forget that your school may lay claim to any intellectual property you develop while a student there, especially if it is part of your official curriculum and you use school facilities, resources, materials, or money for your work.

Good Luck!