Have an Idea for a new product

[melsreturn]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee

I have an idea for a product. It already exists, but does not provide the needs and I believe I have some great alterations/revisions to the existing product. It's not a product that just one company makes, they are famous all around the world. However, I have searched for many hours to locate a product to meet my specific needs, but there is not one in existence that i can locate. That's where my idea came from. If it doesn't exist, I will create it.

I have never patented, copyrighted nor do I own my own business. So, I contacted some companies that make these current (yet unfavorable) products to see if they could create my idea. I have also emailed several manufacturers. I have been told to stop telling companies and people my idea so that I can get a patent... that prevents someone or a company from stealing my idea.

What should I do? Is there a legal aid attorney who can help me create a patent? I don't have the funds to spend on getting the patent, and I am so new at this. I don't have an idea of where to go or what to do.

Also, I am afraid that in the past 2 weeks while contacting people, someone might have already stolen my idea and ran to the patent offices with it! Is there anything I can do to protect my idea?

[divgradcurl]

The only was to effectively protect your idea is via a patent -- assuming, of course, that your idea is patentable in the first place. You can search for a registered patent agent or attorney here: [url]https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/[/url] Whether or not one of them will be willing to work for free, or at a reduced price, or for a piece of your invention, it's not possible to say. You just have to ask, and see what resources are available.

If you are unable or unwilling to pay for an attorney or agent's help, it is possible to draft and prosecute your own patent application. It's a complicated process, which is why most people engage an attorney or agent -- but it is possible to do yourself. You can search for patent-it-yourself books at your local library or bookstore, or Amazon.