How to Patent a Business Idea

How To Patent A Business Idea

To succeed in business, you must first have a business idea. Well, like any great business, success comes first from a simple idea. In fact, figures prove that the most successful businesses often come from the simplest ideas. And perhaps this is where you feel you may be able to succeed – you have an idea so simple, yet so effective, you wonder why nobody has come up with it yet. But how do you patent & protect it, and bring your idea to fruition?

Patent To Copyright

Unfortunately, an idea itself cannot be patented - although it may be the greatest invention or idea in your eyes, that's all it is, an idea. It's only when it becomes and actual product, or has a specific use, that it can be patented. However, you should not be downhearted by this, as there is still a way to make sure no-one steals your idea before bringing it into the public eye.

This is where copyrighting your idea comes into play – although you don't have a physical product to show the patent authorities, you can apply a copyright to it instead while you prepare it to be transformed from idea to product or machine. To do this, you need to provide a complete breakdown of the subject you are hoping to patent at a later date.

To Register Or Not

The wonderful thing about copyrighting something is that it is an extremely simple process, far easier than when it comes to the patent process later on, should the idea come to fruition. In fact, there is no actual need to even register your idea in order for it to be copyrighted (although it is far more beneficial to register your idea for added security). As soon as you have an idea, all you need do is write it down, or draw it with a description of how it works, and mail it to yourself, and leave the envelope unopened. The date mailed is your copyright creation date, and this is legally valid for 70 years.

However, as simple as this method is for copyrighting, you should really register your idea for extra copyright protection. With this, you then have a public record of the date of your idea; it will offer a better chance of success in any litigation cases due to copyright theft; and the US Customs will support you against any same ideas or such coming into the country from abroad.

Although it's not as far-reaching as a patent, since you don't have a physical product to apply the patent to, a copyright is the next best thing when it comes to protecting both you and your business idea.

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