If you have an idea for a product, we understand that will have lots of questions in mind that you want answered before submitting your idea. Questions about protecting your idea, how it works, right through to finding out how much you could get paid for it…
We’ve put together these handy FAQs that should explain everything that you need to know about sending your idea through and working with us.
I am a professional inventor or designer, can I still submit my idea?
Yes, we welcome ideas from all types of people in all types of professions.
Does it cost me anything to submit my idea?
No, there is no charge
I am based outside of the UK/US… Can I still submit an idea?
Yes – we accept submissions from all over the world.
I don’t have a drawing of my idea – does that matter?
Sometimes it really helps to explain your concept if you have a drawing or design to go with it, but we will look at all ideas whether you have a drawing or not.
Will each submission get a reply
We will get back to you with the outcome of your submission within 4 weeks.
If I am unsuccessful, will you tell me why my idea was not selected?
We will not be able to go into detail on why your idea was not selected as part of our reply. However; if your idea was not selected, it does not mean that it is not a good idea.
Is my idea kept secret?
Yes we take the confidentiality of your idea very seriously, other than to discuss your idea internally, we will not show your idea with anyone else. If your submission is not selected, it will be deleted.
Could my idea get copied without my consent?
Absolutely not: We are a creative company and we are not in the habit of copying people’s original ideas. We are very grateful for the trust that you put in us in submitting your idea in the first place.
What if someone else has the same idea as me?
With thousands of ideas in the world, it is not uncommon for two people to have the same or very similar ideas. It is possible that your idea is one that we have received or had before. It is also possible that it may already exist.
If we decide to take a submission forward then we will do so based on the earliest date that it was received.
Is my idea protected by Patents?
We will oversee the IP protection of any product that we develop. It may be that a patent is not the best way to go and protecting the design might be better. We will discuss this with you if your idea is selected.
Will you sign a confidentiality agreement before I send my idea?
No I’m afraid we will not enter into formal confidentiality agreements. In our experience they are not realistically enforceable legal documents and it is not practical for us to manage this process over multiple submissions. This does not mean that we do not treat your submission in strict confidence. We do.
If you are an Inventor or professional designer and intending to apply for a technical patent, then please let us know and we will see what can be done in terms of complying with the secrecy requirements of your application.
What should I do if there is something similar to my idea already on the market?
We would be unlikely to develop a product if it already exists. We would need there to be some kind of original step or new approach to the idea.
What happens after I submit my idea?
We will review it and get back to you in about 4 weeks. We will give a response or may ask for some more information from you in the form of a simple questionnaire.
How much money can I make from my idea?
If a product sells very well in multiple countries then it is possible to earn a significant income, maybe even enough to give up work and live from the proceeds. If a product does not sell so well, then the income can be quite modest. The truth is: we just do not know how it will sell until we begin.
Can I submit my idea to anyone else?
Yes of course. We would only ask you to stop sending it to anyone else after we have committed to developing the product. However, one of the questions we might ask in the early stages is how many people have already seen the idea.
Is there an age limit?
If you are under 18 then please submit the idea with a parent or guardian.