Well there are a lot of quick people here so help me answer a question. I basicly took two things that are already invented put the two together to make one of them better, I researched it, built prototypes, and tested it in the field for over ten years in extream hot/ sub zero conditions and they work perfactly, now I want to aproch some of the companys that make the product to negotiate a licensing agreement how do I protect my Ida? I thought a patent but I did not invent either one, trademarks are for photos and music art things like that, anybody have any feed back that could help? thanks to all

I'm pretty sure putting two things together to make another thing can be patented. I'll bet someone has a patent on the cell phone/mp3 player, and I bet they didn't invent either one!

Well there are a lot of quick people here so help me answer a question. I basicly took two things that are already invented put the two together to make one of them better, I researched it, built prototypes, and tested it in the field for over ten years in extream hot/ sub zero conditions and they work perfactly, now I want to aproch some of the companys that make the product to negotiate a licensing agreement how do I protect my Ida? I thought a patent but I did not invent either one, trademarks are for photos and music art things like that, anybody have any feed back that could help? thanks to all
sure you can patent it-most of Edison's were improvements on other ppl's patents.

and until you patent it, as long as publish the idea somewhere, the copywrite will prevent someone else from stealing it.

Time for a trip to Crystal City.

Do a "poor man's copyright" - make a full description of the item, with diagrams & all. Do it on the computer so you can include photos with the printout. Make copies. Take one copy to the post office and send it to yourself - certified is best. While you're in town, talk to an attorney. Generally the first visit is a freebee, so you can at least get smart about what's got to come next.

You can patent improvements on existing devices or new ways of using existing devices, so that's not a problem. But if someone else came up with the same idea first then you're hosed. The U.S. is a "first to invent" country so as long as your work is documented, you're OK on that front, but if you're really serious about this you need to get moving on the patent before you try selling it.

Thanks i will start heading in that direction.