Pitching An Invention Without A Patent Spells Trouble
People don't often come up with inventions for the sole purpose of showing them off to their friends. They create unique ideas because they want to sell them and earn money for their hard work. For this reason, the opportunity to pitch a new invention in front of another company feels like a dream come true. However, it can also backfire on you. Pitching your invention without first obtaining a patent might not turn out well.
Ideas and Concepts
When someone uses your idea, it's easy to assume that they have stolen something from you. However, theft can only occur when an object has an owner. If you have not patented your idea — you are not the owner.
If you give your pitch without patenting the idea, the company could legally take your idea, make a few updates, and package it as their
Confidentiality Agreements
If the company is requesting that you sign a confidentiality agreement before your meeting, don't assume the agreement is intended to protect you. You still need to patent your idea first. Often, these agreements are nothing more than a measure to prevent you from discussing the meeting, and any terms you and the company are able to come to.
The agreement does not mean that the company cannot discuss your idea with someone else. Make sure you patent your design so that even if they discuss it, you're still safe. For an added protective measure, you can even request that the company sign a confidentiality agreement for your protection.
Competition
There are plenty of umbrella companies. For instance, one company can own three competing brands that all sell the same products. If you do not have a
Again, as harsh as it might sound, no one owns an idea or concept until they legally patent it. So, sharing this information without a potential competitor might not seem like a good thing to do, but it's something that the company would be within their legal right to do.
Make sure you patent your invention before you even think about showcasing it to any other person to protect yourself. Contact an invention patent company right away for more information on your path to success.