RoShamBo

iTrader: (1)

Was wondering if anyone here has any experience of getting an idea to market and whats involved.

I have a great gadget / gizmo that I feel has huge market potential and as far as I can see there is nothing like it around at the moment.

Its just an idea in my head at the moment, but I would like it to become a reality. I would assume first step is getting the idea copyrighted?
Then getting backing from somewhere (private investor / bank ??)
Then I would need someone to design/manufacture it (its actually going to be a really easy thing to make with no moving parts)
Then there is marketing etc I guess.

Anyone have any experience of this I would be most interested to hear.

Thanks.

fitzscoob

No experience in marketing new items, but as a small family business we have used Business Link in the past, to help with funding and any questions we might have.

It would definately be worthwhile finding your local Business Link, they are funded by the Government, and their advise is free.

Best of luck.

RoShamBo

iTrader: (1)

Cheers ! There is one about half a mile from me !

warrenm2

just protect yourself with non-disclosure agreements before talking to people. If its novel then you must get a patent, if you watch anything on Dragons Den, you will see they dont touch any new gadget that is not protected. Look for patent agents in the Yellow Pages. Manufacturing is usually done abroad these days, unless its highly technical engineering (think racing cars, space applications etc). Youre biggest problems is you have to spend a lot of money up front to get going. Try to give away as little share capital as possible and secure money other ways - easier said than done though!

The Chief

Work out how much it will cost to release this to the masses.

if it is simple and you plan on selling thosands then have it manufactureed in China - trust me its the only way forward.

A good website is a must - its your window to the world.

keep your outgoings to a minimum i.e. could you work from home or a small unit.

Target the market that will use this.

i.e. say you sold alloy wheels you may advertise in the Autotrader.

Motorised Iron gates you'd advertise in Cheshire Life magazine etc.

You get the drift.

If you manufacture them over here it will last 2 minutes.

China like i said is the way to go.

The Chief

I'm always a little wary of patents - Dyson was patended it did not stop the likes of Hoover ripping off his design.

patends cost a lot of money and then someone will change the design slightly and go ahead and do it anyway.

However if it is simple - for instance i saw a design that enables a person to lean over an engine bay. then maybe a patend can protect i'm still not sure though.

PM me if you want and i'll give you some pointers in China.

Ok you dont have to disclose what your doing

RoShamBo

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys.

I too am unsure about how patents work, do you patent the actual thing, or what that thing does.

If its the actual thing, someone can just change a small component or the design and say its different, even if it does the same thing, getting around the patent. I guess the only way around that would be to have several patents, each one covering a different design of the end product, so you cut off any avenue for people changing the design and patenting that?

Then again surely you can't patent what it actually does because any other device that does the same thing (even if yours is better/faster etc) would be breaching copyright.

warrenm2

patent agent will cover all that with you. As to Dyson, yes his design did get copied and so he took them to court and won. They paid him compensation. THATS why you have patents.

Deep Singh

I think Adam M on here is a patent lawyer, haven't seen him post here for ages though I'm afraid.
Good luck

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Adam M (Adamantium on bbs.22b.com) is a friendly patent lawyer - pop over to 22b and send him a pm.

There are two approaches - if you really believe this is a big winner then invest in it and get it to market. If you lack the skills to get it to market but still think it is a great idea then patent it and sell the idea for an up front fee and a percentage. Although realistically you will only get a percentage if it is market tested and a really good idea.

If it is then good luck!

Trucker Ted

On the Dragons Den theme , Peter Jones has a website and there is a part where you can pitch your idea to him and his advisors,although if its anything like the tv show then he will probably be looking for 50% of your business.

Peter | Jones

swampster

iTrader: (1)

Doesn't Dyson run a charitable organisation for helping out people who have invented something?

Trout

iTrader: (1)

So does Trevor Bayliss the wind up radio guy.