I have, what I think is a great idea, but it will take me some time to develop and test it. As far as I know, the idea is unique but I don't know if I have to make it first to patent it or just patent the idea, or is the idea all that matters? Help.
> When do i file for a patent?<p><i>As soon as possible</i>. A basic change in patent law has recently gone into effect, which (at risk of oversimplification) grants a patent to the first person to file, rather than the first person to invent (the old standard).<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_to_file_and_first_to_invent" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_to_file_and_first_to_inve...</a><p>> As far as I know, the idea is unique but I don't know if I have to make it first to patent it or just patent the idea, or is the idea all that matters?<p>* Ideas can now be patented, so don't wait until you have a working embodiment -- by then, someone else may have patented the idea.<p>* You need to consult a competent patent attorney, not a public forum.
Two tests-
1) Is your idea so great that not only you'll be making money with it, but someone else would want to knock it off so they could make money with it? If not, don't patent.<p>2) Are you prepared to seek funding for, develop, test, prototype, produce, and market it with full gusto? If not, don't patent it until you are. You lose control of the clock as soon as you start the process, so you better be ready to ride the wave.