How do I go about inventing something?

[EmAnJ]

I came up with (what I’m sure is) a brilliant idea this morning and figure it might be worthy of follow through. I understand that I’d have to get a patent or something similar and design it and such, but how does a layperson go about doing this?

I’m in Canada, so who would be in charge of patents here? Do I need to submit a prototype or just my design on paper? How fancy-schmancy does my sketch have to be? Does it cost a lot of money to apply for a patent?

Yours truly,

Future Bazillionaire.

[Mangetout]

I don’t have any positive advice, however, I think it’s probably best to avoid those companies that scream “Got an invention? Talk to us today!” (such as will probably be appearing in the Google ads at the foot of the page, anytime now).

[Anaglyph]

@EmAnJ

I came up with (what I’m sure is) a brilliant idea this morning and figure it might be worthy of follow through. I understand that I’d have to get a patent or something similar and design it and such, but how does a layperson go about doing this?

I’m in Canada, so who would be in charge of patents here? Do I need to submit a prototype or just my design on paper? How fancy-schmancy does my sketch have to be? Does it cost a lot of money to apply for a patent?

Yours truly,

Future Bazillionaire.

You can find detailed information on the homepage of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office

[EmAnJ]

@Mangetout

I don’t have any positive advice, however, I think it’s probably best to avoid those companies that scream “Got an invention? Talk to us today!” (such as will probably be appearing in the Google ads at the foot of the page, anytime now).

Ha, yes, I am luckily not that gulible.

Thanks for the link Anaglyph.