You have the idea - what is the first thing you do?

a) Write it down. A little pad that you carry with you is very convenient for this. It is possible to wonder in a little while what that "great" idea you had was. So, jot it down.
b) Once a week or periodically enter the ideas that you think may be worthwhile in a bound inventors notebook. The old style "composition" notebooks are fine for this purpose.
   i) Problem/solution format - this works well to describe many ideas. State a
   problem and how your idea would solve it.
   ii) If appropriate, include a sketch of the idea.

Don't go to the scammers!! The most important advice I can give a new inventor is not to respond to all those things you hear on radio and TV that explain how you can make a million dollars by just giving them a few thousand. Never give any money to any outfit that advertises that they will develop your invention idea without checking them out first. In fact, I would suggest that you never contact them at all until you know if they are legit. They are experts at talking you into using their services. Most of these outfits only specialize in developing your money into their money.

Check the idea out.

a) Look for the product on the internet, in stores, in catalogs. No sense in wasting time developing a product that already exists. At the same time, it is possible that the way you intend to make the product work will be a significant improvement over existing products.
b) Look up the patent on the internet. The US Patent and Trademark Office site www.uspto.gov is the place to go for this. Also, there is a Patent and Trademark Depository Library at UVM's library. There someone can help you search. If you find the product, it may either be in the public domain (expired patent) or someone else has rights to it. This may affect how you proceed. With more than six million patents, chances are that something like the idea you are developing has already been patented. Therefore, unless you are working with cutting edge technology, if you find nothing at all similar to your idea you may need help with your search.

Get information - - there are tons of information available on the internet. However, I recommend that you start by obtaining the book, "Patent it Yourself" by David Pressman. (Although I don't recommend that most people patent it themselves) This book gives a very good overview of many of the issues related to patent development and patenting. Many libraries carry this book and it is highly regarded by many patent attorneys and agents. Other places to go for information exist at our "Resources" link on this web page.

Enter a detailed description of the product idea, as far along as you have it, in your bound book. Have two people that you trust witness it, i.e. - "I have read and understood this idea and agree to keep this information confidential." Then date it and have them sign it. The date of conception can make a difference if you later decide to file for a patent.

The rules regarding disclosure and patent rights in the US and abroad are very complex and confusing. Until you get a handle on these issues, do not disclose your idea publicly. Keep the key information about your idea confidential or you will start the clock ticking on various deadlines for patent filing and may forego certain foreign filing rights.

Before you spend a lot of time or money proceeding further you should get a better sense of whether there already is a product that does what yours will do. You can: (note - do not divulge key information about how you accomplish the benefits of your invention without legal advice on how to do this correctly)

a) Go to someone you trust that has knowledge of this field.
b) Go to a store that should carry this product and see if they think they would like to sell it.
c) Go to trade shows which exhibit the latest products in your field.

Inexpensively build a "proof of concept" prototype - document it and have it witnessed.

Keep all records, bills etc.

Perhaps submit a disclosure document to the USPTO. This does nothing to provide long-term protection but it does require you to reduce your idea to writing and help establish when you had the idea.