Let's just say I invented the VIRES wing idea (link: http://www.viresaero.com/). That is to say it is a physical technology invention that would be easily understood for someone in aerospace (many people have probably thought of it), but maybe clever in application or execution (I don't know if VIRES is but let's assume so). Should I talk freely to startup incubators in the hopes of getting somewhere or evolving the idea? Should I be afraid of someone with more resources building a prototype before I can, or patenting it, etc.? If you have any "credentials" or supporting anecdotes for your answer please state so. Of course I welcome everyone's opinions. Thanks for all of your input.<p>I am asking this question because of the relatively new (a few years old) patent law regarding first-to-file. If we were still under first-to-invent, I would go ahead, keeping good records of my communications on the idea.
> Should I be afraid of someone with more resources building a prototype before I can, or patenting it, etc.?<p>In a word, yes. The U.S. Patent system has recently changed from a first-to-invent rule, to a first-to-file rule. In some cases this may mean that someone can take your idea and file it is his own. It's not supposed to work that way, and there are various safeguards, but the possibility exists that someone could simply take your idea and claim it as his own.<p><a href="http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=2884" rel="nofollow">http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=2884</a><p>The bottom line is, if you have an idea you think may be patentable, you should file it before revealing it to anyone.