Can you copyright an idea

Answer 1

It has been stated that you should: "write it all done seal in a envelope and send it in the mail certified to yourself. that way once you get the product made you have dated proof that the idea was yours and no one can steal your idea. also that way if it takes a long time to get the copyright you will already have a legal certied proof that the idea was originall your." However, certified mail is NOT a substitute for a patent or copyright. It may provide evidence of a date before which the idea was developed, but is not proof of origin. Furthermore, copyright does not protect ideas in the slightest. In most places, there is no requirement that you build a prototype or 'reduce the item to practice' before you may file for a patent. The initial patent application description of the invention must be complete enough so that a person with ordinary skill in the area of the invention could make and use the item -- things they may not do without your permission, once your patent is issued. The best thing to do is to contact a qualified patent attorney immediately upon conceiving a new invention that may be valuable. There are mistakes that can easily impair protection of your invention permanently. See related answers on obtaining patents. "Certified mail" is unlikely to provide the type of protection required for a valuable product idea. Keeping something secret in an envelope does not prevent anyone else from independently developing and patenting the same invention before you do. Trying to sell the product before you file a patent application could be a big mistake.

Answer 2

Ideas in themselves cannot be copyrighted in the United States, according to the Copyright Act.

Writings that describe or discuss a business idea may receive copyright protection, but such a copyright would not prevent others from putting the ideas into practice.

Visit copyright.gov for more information.

Answer 3

No, technically your idea would have to be implemented in the form of an "invention" that is "new and non-obvious". Just because you thought of something you think is "new" does not necessarily mean you were the first.

Answer 4

Absolutely, that is the entire purpose of patents: to provide a protected means of disclosure of new inventions so that inventors can make profit off them without having to worry about fighting competition, thus encouraging them to invent even more.

Without patents the moment you brought your invention on the market anyone could copy it, unless some part of it could be kept a trade secret (which is very hard to maintain). With patents you disclose everything about the invention, with the knowledge it is legally your sole property for 17 years to do what you want with.

Answer 5

Yes it is possible, you just need to make a sketch and describe your idea then hand the form to the patent office, a lot of patents now are only ideas.

Answer 6

No; patent applications require a great deal of information that would not be known until design is complete.

Answer 7

Ideas cannot be protected; only expressions of them. There has to be something tangible.