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Press Release

Keep quiet to strike gold with bright idea

1 June 2009

People who have a great idea for a novel invention should take it forward before someone else beats them to it, according to the Bright Idea Handbook, a Which? essential guide.

A survey for the book found that 15 per cent of people have had a bright idea for an invention, but only one in ten of those people actually took their idea forward.

Of those budding entrepreneurs who left their idea on the shelf, one fifth claimed that someone else took their idea forward.

The main reason people gave for not doing anything with their idea was lack of time (23 per cent), while one in eight didn’t advance their idea for fear of being laughed at.

Michael Gardner, author of The Bright Idea handbook, from Which? says:

"Many of us have an idea for an invention, but aren’t brave enough or don’t have the know-how to do anything about it. With a bit of help, it doesn’t have to be an impossible dream and if you strike gold with your idea, you could be the one having the last laugh!"

Michael’s top tips for a successful invention:

Keep quiet! - resist the temptation to tell others about your invention or idea until you've investigated it further and protected your rights
Check your rights - establish what types of Intellectual Property rights could apply to your invention or idea
Protect it - take the necessary steps to protect your rights against exploitation and copying by others (e.g. see a patent agent)
Know your market - focus on the commercial viability of your invention or idea, and don’t become blinded by how great you think it is
Do research – carry out some market research and prepare a robust and realistic business plan for taking your invention or idea forward commercially, and follow it.



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