.... and I'm so paranoid that someone is going to steal my idea that I daren't share it. Not even with the bloke from the patents office, cos if he gets hold of it, he'll pack his job in and make millions. My millions.</p> I'm trying to think of a way of patenting it without actually disclosing what it is.</p>
Yes they will. I saw a programme on telly a while back where they used a "milking machine" type thing to harvest spoff from show dogs. They were selling canine jizz for a fortune ... and I'm sure the equipment required for such an operation isn't cheap. You need to consider what you are posting a little more.
Get your idea down on paper, then get it time stamped and stored by a reputable solicitor, then go to the patent office. If he steals the idea [which I very much doubt] you'll have some comeback in court.</p> being paranoid will kill your idea if you're not careful ... just use reputable firms.</p> Good Luck</p>
but what if the solicitor steels it and gets to the patent office first with some made up date and time stamp that was before this!!!!!! just a thought
Write out a legally binding contract and get him to sign to promise that he wont patent your idea after he has seen what it is, and if he does steal your idea you can sue him for every penny - even stuff he hasn't made through your idea. Therefore you will get more money than if nobody steals your idea.