4 ms·

I too am not a lawyer but another possible way to do this, to the best of my knowledge: File a provisional patent application (with maximum disclosure) with th

I too am not a lawyer but another possible way to do this, to the best of my knowledge: File a provisional patent application (with maximum disclosure) with the USPTO - this will give you a priority date on official, government record. Make sure you obtain a certified copy from them. Then let it lapse (i.e. don't convert to a full application within the stipulated time period of one year). I guess that should do it. Disclaimer (again): I'm not a lawyer :-) Edit: Added: I don't know how effective/legally valid this is today, but there also used to be something called a sealed cover method. You disclose the full invention on paper, get a government approved notary to notarise it, seal it up in an envelop and send it as a registered mail to yourself. On receipt, don't open it - just keep it safe. In case of any later dispute, you'll have two government agencies establishing your date of invention. - HTH 2nd Edit: Added: The sealed cover method, if valid, would probably be the least expensive one. :-)

prodigal_erik 16y ago
Has the "mail to yourself" thing been done successfully? I have trouble believing a million-dollar court case can be decided upon the tamper-resistance of a cheap paper envelope. And all prior art must be published somewhere in order to have any effect on patentability, so the envelope could only establish a priority date.
- Shooter 16y ago
  It is most definitely NOT a valid method.
- sagacity 16y ago
  > so the envelope could only establish a priority date. As I understand, this is exactly what the OP is after. :-) If OP has a provable priority date, a future patent holder can't sue the OP. Or can he still? I guess only a patent attorney can tell.
  - gpjt 16y ago
    Thanks for the ideas! Re: posting -- I guess I would worry that the "attacker" would say that although the letter proved that I posted myself something on a given date, if the package was not tamperproof then it could have been anything. OTOH the idea of filing a provisional patent sounds very plausible, albeit perhaps expensive.
    - sagacity 16y ago
      > the letter proved that I posted myself something on a given date This is where the notary angle kicks in. Notary records will prove the date (2nd proof of date, btw) as well as the content. (Strict legal angle apart, I think this simplistic method packs a lot of sophistication!)

prodigal_erik 16y ago

Has the "mail to yourself" thing been done successfully? I have trouble believing a million-dollar court case can be decided upon the tamper-resistance of a cheap paper envelope. And all prior art must be published somewhere in order to have any effect on patentability, so the envelope could only establish a priority date.

Shooter 16y ago
It is most definitely NOT a valid method.
sagacity 16y ago
> so the envelope could only establish a priority date. As I understand, this is exactly what the OP is after. :-) If OP has a provable priority date, a future patent holder can't sue the OP. Or can he still? I guess only a patent attorney can tell.
- gpjt 16y ago
  Thanks for the ideas! Re: posting -- I guess I would worry that the "attacker" would say that although the letter proved that I posted myself something on a given date, if the package was not tamperproof then it could have been anything. OTOH the idea of filing a provisional patent sounds very plausible, albeit perhaps expensive.
  - sagacity 16y ago
    > the letter proved that I posted myself something on a given date This is where the notary angle kicks in. Notary records will prove the date (2nd proof of date, btw) as well as the content. (Strict legal angle apart, I think this simplistic method packs a lot of sophistication!)