How to know if something is patented?

[I.P.Yellow]

Hey Snowesters I have a question. How does a person know if something has a patent on it? I have an idea in mind that I believe would help out tremendously with sled performance. It has never been used on sleds before. I saw this idea being used on another application but I don't know if it is patented. Any directions would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick.

 

[GODEEP]

Tell me what it is, I will find out for ya..j/k..

Get a good patent attorney. Its gonna cost ya if you really wanna get it patented. prob. 5K or so. prob. 1K to find out if it is or not.

you can search the net and try to find what you can, but if your serious, go the proper route..

btw.. http://www.google.com/patents

 

[ArcticBoy]

Just build it and advertise here. Then see if you get sued.

 

[Ex-Member]

I'd start by searching here:

 

[KFD070]

Most court houses will do a patent search for you for a minimal fee. Before you get a patent you will likely get a Patent Pending. If I remember right(probably not) before you can get a Patent your product must be registered as Patent Pending for one year. I had a Patent pending on a game once. I made the mistake of attempting to sell it to a major game manufacturer. Following year the game was marketed by this company with a few small changes.
Be very careful about who you release any info to!

 

[JDKZRT]

Read through this -
http://inventors.about.com/od/firststeps/a/application.htm
Then read this -
http://inventors.about.com/od/provisionalpatent/a/provisional_app.htm

I know of some major, major ideas that began with provisional patents that were 'self filed' by the inventor (no lawyers) and have turned out spectacularly well.