Confidentiality

Creating a new idea or invention and looking at prospects of commercialising it can be a rewarding process, although it is never straight forward or easy.

An important point that many people overlook when trying to develop an idea is the need for confidentiality. Premature disclosure of ideas can cause many difficulties later on, particularly if patent protection is needed. Initial discussions should be limited to the benefits of an idea unless a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) has been signed (sometimes called an NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement). This is necessary for each and every person or organisation that you deal with (apart from solicitors and patent agents, who have a duty of confidentiality.) More information can be found in the licensing your idea section.