Dragon's Den patents.

[halfmile4]

Hi all. New member here who is getting his head around patents and in particular the issue of non-disclosure agreements and the pursuit of backers for inventions.

Dragon's Den naturally comes to mind, and I realise that it is TV and a lot goes on which is unseen or considered too technical/boring for the average viewer. Nevertheless, am I right in saying that by going on the show, even with a UK patent filed, the contestants are completely jeopardising their chances of filing worldwide at a later date? If so this seems a remarkable lack of foresight (or surfeit of naivety) by the contestants. Any comments? Peter F

 

[alfie]

From what I understand, if it's filed say here in the UK then they have a year from that filing date to file in other countries like the US. Not sure if it applys to all countries though.

 

[halfmile4]

Agreed, but I also read that by disclosing it to the public (which is big-time on DD) you cannot then file abroad at all, or at least it is more likely to be contested. Or have I the wrong end of the stick?

 

[alfie]

When you file the application you can then disclose in public, it's just Patent Pending. The countries who are a part of patent conventions like the US allow you to use the filing date in the UK for a US application, as long as it's done within a year of the original application in the UK.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Agreed, but I also read that by disclosing it to the public (which is big-time on DD)

Which is the reason most of the people apply to go on the show in the first place, for many an investment is just a bonus.