All,

I have an awesome idea. This idea has the potential to make a very large sum of money. I have made the prototype and not one person whom I've showed hasn't liked it.

I would post it here, but I need to make sure that I'm fully protected on it. I have gone through the usual steps of taking pictures and writing up a description with what it is, how to make it and what it will be used for to myself.

Now with that said, this is something that will be marketed strictly to cigarette companies. I need to find out approx. how much a patent will cost (I think it varies depending on the type of invention?). Also, once that has been completed, it's not really something that I need investors for since it costs a fraction of a cent to make, however I need to know how to market to the large cigarette companies. I guess I'm trying to find out my next steps. Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated. And as always, a BIG thanks to Idea Cafe for this website!

Jonathan~
jwensil@yahoo.com

A patent can cost several thousand dollars. The first thing to do is a patent search. You can hire a patent lawyer to do this. It will cost roughly $1500 just for the search. You can do the search yourself online. It is a tedious process, but doable. You are looking for anything similar to your idea that may already be patented. Here is the website:
http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html

If you are able to obtain a patent you can work with a licensing agent who would be able to take your product to the cigarette companies.

Who would buy this product and what would it be used for?

Hi Jonathan,

Step 1 at this point is to get a formal prior art patent search to determine if you have something potentially patentable (nothing worse than paying to have a patent application written only to have it eventually Rejected during "Inspection and Review" at the patent office, eh?

Step 2 Assuming the "written" legal opinion accompanying the above search results (stacks of patents) indicates it is more likely than not a patent may issue in about three years form application filing date, one now gets a patent application written. Average cost starts at for something simple (assuming it qualifies for the strong Utility patent v. the weaker Design patent which would probably be cheaper to draft) as you've described: $2,500 + and there's formal patent-style drawings to accompany the application (in your case average cost about $450). You also need the patent office's Filing fee for the application/drawings. This year it rounds out to $500.

Step 2 is to find companies willing to entertain invention submissions and who will sign "your" Non Disclosure/Non Compete Agreement. Do not expect your proto to be returned so have "quality photos taken of the only one you've got sending them ONLY when they ask for them. Since you've indicated large tabacco companies are your target, you've an uphill jog ahead (higher up the food chain one travels the more likely they'll not accept outside submissions and definitely not sign NDAs). However, "you" will likely be required to sign "their" Non Confidential Agreement. Meaning, without a patent your only protection is hoping they'll do the right thing by you.

Step 3.... who knows if you'll get to it.

Regards
Penny Ballou (catch me at AllExperts.com in their Inventions/Patents/Licensing category) or contact me offline via any search engine (downloadable docs rejected).