I have a wonderful idea for an invention. It simple, useful, and above all else it will be very helpful to the 24 million people who have probably at some point been in need of what I am wanting to create. So with that being said let me get to the point. I am in the midst of getting a prototype created. My questions are..should I get a patent before having a prototype created? is it better to sell the product idea to a large company or manufacture them and sell them myself? if I put this on kickstarter or indigogo would it need to be patented first just in case someone wanted to create this product themselves? thanks for the help and support guys. I have little to no knowledge in this field so I am just looking for a little guidance. This is a kick *** idea I have and I cant wait to help people with it.

First you FILE for a patent, giving you "priority" over anyone else who learns of it and tries to claim they invented it first.

Second, it takes several years to get a patent issued, in general. You would be foolish to sit on your plans, waiting for a patent that might never be issued, or that you cannot afford to enforce.

Get your "provisional application" filed immediately ($65 in the USPTO), get your prototype working, hire people to perfect it, file more provisionals as you learn more features, get investors to assist with funding, use some of the funds to file a non-provisional patent application within a year of filing the provisional... Your local patent attorney would be happy to assist.

If you have a VIABLE invention then it is a good idea to protect it.

Do you know about the Provisional Application for Patent? It only costs $65 and was designed by Congress to give individual inventors a chance at bringing their inventive ideas to market easily. It is SUPER EASY to do..

If a provisional application for patent looks like the right thing for you to do then take a look at a website that shows EXACTLY how to file one using a video format. Either Google or YouTube Provisional Patent Video or PM me and I will give you links to consider. I notice you do not have your email turned on in Yahoo or I would have sent it to you..

I do not want to put links in here because lawyers delete my posts when I do.. go figure! They do not want you to know how easy this is! You can email me at dave.korpi@gmail.com too if you want as well!

There are LOTS of ways to move forward with your invention. I would caution you away from paying ANYONE ANYTHING until you COMPLETELY understand what and when they will give you what you want.

DO NOT pay anyone $5,000 to start your invention... Not even invention companies until you COMPLETELY understand exactly what they will do for you. I have talked to way too many folks who have spent from $1800 to $5000 to get nothing.

Not to worry.. there are ways to get what you want ant YOU can do it yourself, for the most part, and it is fairly easy to do everything. Just know the USPTO is a branch of the Federal Government and the Federal government wants YOU to be a millionaire so you can pay taxes. Therefore, the Federal Government, via the USPTO, makes it EASY to file a Provisional Application for Patent. Extremely easy.

Get the patent locked down first. If you spend money building a prototype and find that you cannot get a patent, it's a wasted effort.

Get the patent before you introduce the product to the marketplace.