PATENT SEARCHES

Before you do anything with that great idea of yours, you really, really need to spend the time and/or money to do a patent search. If you don't, chances are you'll be very sorry you didn't (because, as I've often said, "if you've thought of it, a thousand other people have, too." It's just a matter of who "moves" on it first.).

You can either pay a patent attorney to do this (even if you don't end up hiring him/her, they have a much more thorough database than is available elsewhere), or you can search every search engine, every online store that may carry your product, offline retail stores, etc. Of course, you'll have to think of every imaginable name your product could have, and search accordingly.

Also, it's important to note that patent attorneys want you to infringe on their client's patents. Some tricky guys and gals purposely name their products something wacky so that you won't be able to find their patent while doing your search. Then, once you come out with yours, they're ON you! Thankfully, this doesn't happen all the time, but it definitely does happen. So, take your time and do it thoroughly, or pay an attorney to do it for you.

Remember this, too: if you do happen to find your great idea already out there (you'd just not seen it before, because of poor marketing on their part, or whatever), don't be discouraged. If you still love the idea, you can make it even better than they have. Think of additions you can make, or things that would make it more user-friendly. Then, start putting your drawings and/or prototypes together.