How do i talk to manufacturer about a design idea without giving them the idea for free??

[Stephen Storey]

Good morning guys,

I work in the oil and gas industry and i have an idea on how to improve / modify a piece of equipment which is used daily around the world on oil rigs.

There is a leading manufacturer of this piece of equipment and i would like to contact this manufacturer to discuss my idea.

I am extremely confident that this idea / modification would be a success and also believe that once it is rolled out for the world to see then there is even a chance this piece of equipment (with my modification) could become a regulation world wide as it removes huge safety hazard from the task which it is used for.

So my question is how do I approach the manufacturer and what is there to stop the manufacturer from simply taking my idea, manufacturing it and then reaping all benefits and giving me nothing in return?

 

[fisicx]

apply for a patent.

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's a recurring theme on here that ideas are essentially worthless

You add value and identity with a mix of IP, market research and prototypes

An NDA has some, limited value, but is also easier to support with the above in place

 

[pentel]

apply for a patent.

Applying for a patent and getting it granted is relatively cheap. The big cost comes should you have to defend your patent from abuse.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Applying for a patent and getting it granted is relatively cheap. The big cost comes should you have to defend your patent from abuse.

Plus, you can't patent an idea

 

[fisicx]

Plus, you can't patent an idea

Which means building a prototype. Can be made out of cardboard and wood, as long as it displays the innovation needed to get the patent granted.

 

[WaveJumper]

Or how about getting it 3D printed use someone who will have no idea what your widget can do

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Which means building a prototype. Can be made out of cardboard and wood, as long as it displays the innovation needed to get the patent granted.

Exactly this - do you have an idea, or can you prove it works?if so, Prove it works first.

There was someone on here a while ago had an idea for (I think, from memory) something like “a fabric you can heat in the microwave and it will stay hot for 12 hours”. Did they have an idea or proof that could actually work? No. It’s like saying “I have an idea for a car that can fly” but no idea how that would happen.