georgiegirl2
Well-Known Member
as title really!!!! what do you do? ive looked around a bit and cant find my idea in the same context anywhere else. do you just approach companies with your idea?
if you have an idea for a horsey invention.....
- Thread starter georgiegirl2
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AmyMay
Situation normal
Get it copyrighted first - and don't mention it to anyone, because you then immeidately loose the right to copyright.
georgiegirl2
Well-Known Member
well its not exactly a totally new idea......the concept has been used with another horsey product elsewhere, would i get in touch with the manufacturers of the original product? ie to add to their range?
pottamus
Well-Known Member
Copyright is the best way forward but can be a lengthy and expensive process sometimes...but it stops other companies from copying your idea before you have a chance to sell it. It applies to 'products' or concepts really.
Another thing you could do is to write your ideas and specifications etc down on a piece of paper with your details on it and get it sealed and stamp dated over the seal by the bank. What this does is dates the idea, so if someone or a company try to come out with the idea and claim it as there's you can prove that you had the idea first...this sounds sketchy but is bonifide in a court of law. You must make sure you never open the envelope, tamper with it or anything once stamped until you get your product on the market.
Another thing you could do is to write your ideas and specifications etc down on a piece of paper with your details on it and get it sealed and stamp dated over the seal by the bank. What this does is dates the idea, so if someone or a company try to come out with the idea and claim it as there's you can prove that you had the idea first...this sounds sketchy but is bonifide in a court of law. You must make sure you never open the envelope, tamper with it or anything once stamped until you get your product on the market.
pottamus
Well-Known Member
The trouble with talking to manu's and companies is that they will take it on board if they think it is a a good idea...and you won't see a penny from it! I would not be approaching anyone if you think you can make and sell this yourself...companies are only really interested in their own bank balances I am afraid to say.
georgiegirl2
Well-Known Member
the thing is ive never come up with anything like this before. And i certainly know i cant make make and sell this item myself - i wouldnt have a clue!!!
showjump2003
Well-Known Member
I too think I have come up with a great idea horsey wise but don't know where to start... or even if my idea is as great as I think it is haha
Sal_E
Well-Known Member
It would have to be a fabulous product to make you any decent money just from owning the rights. If you really want to earn money from it, you ideally need to turn it into a product yourself & sell it - through the company with the similar product or through anothe distributor. It's not hard to find companies who can help you with development - ideally straight to China if you (or anyone you know) has experience of such things, or through a company who specialises in 'inventions' & will, of course, take a cut...
Alternatively, if you think it's just a neat idea that is not really 'big' enough to make you good money (or worth copywriting), then it's worth just seeing if you can do something with a company that means you get a free one if they get it into production & maybe a few other freebies as a thank-you, but they own the rights. We've done that at my company a few times - for example a friend of mine drew a horse-head logo a few years ago (she was only 15 at the time!), so we gave her a few quid & one of everything that the logo appeared on - she was dead chuffed! You can get any company you approach to sign a confidentiality agreement (PRIOR to you telling them specificially what the product is), which would allow you to suss each other out before commiting to anything - they're pretty basic agreements & we sign them all the time as people contact us with new ideas - any reputable company won't mind signing one.
Alternatively, if you think it's just a neat idea that is not really 'big' enough to make you good money (or worth copywriting), then it's worth just seeing if you can do something with a company that means you get a free one if they get it into production & maybe a few other freebies as a thank-you, but they own the rights. We've done that at my company a few times - for example a friend of mine drew a horse-head logo a few years ago (she was only 15 at the time!), so we gave her a few quid & one of everything that the logo appeared on - she was dead chuffed! You can get any company you approach to sign a confidentiality agreement (PRIOR to you telling them specificially what the product is), which would allow you to suss each other out before commiting to anything - they're pretty basic agreements & we sign them all the time as people contact us with new ideas - any reputable company won't mind signing one.