Step #1: Assess Your Idea

Are you re-inventing the wheel? Here are some tips to help you find out what's currently on the market and whether your idea is original and/or commercially viable.

Talk to potential customers.
You may want them to sign a non-disclosure agreement. (Protect Your Idea)

Go to trade shows.
Start with shows put on by local chambers of commerce & business associations.

Do a preliminary product search.
You can do this online by searching patent sites. Use patent sites to help assess the commercial potential of your product, research the competition, avoid infringing on someone else's patent, refine your idea and locate potential licensing companies. If you find an existing patent for the same product, consider ending the process now.

Canada:
Canadian Patents Data Base: http://patents1.ic.gc.ca/intro-e.html
Canadian Intellectual Property Office: http://cipo.gc.ca/

United States:
US Patent & Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/
Delphion: (http://delphion.com/) (requires free registration)

World (Europe, Latin America, Asia):
Intellectual Property Digital Library Web site: http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/index.jsp

European Union
European Patent Office: http://www.european-patent-office.org/online/#databases

Japan:
Japan Patent Office: http://www.jpo.go.jp/

Talk to the Canadian Technology Network

The CTN in British Columbia-Yukon has a network of advisors who can guide you towards the programmes that will benefit you the most and help you access expertise and resources within Canada and around the world. Also, visit the link below to get specialized information for British Columbia inventors.

Network Advisors   Inventors' Information Index

The CTN in Alberta-North West Territories has a network of advisors who can guide you towards the programmes that will benefit you the most and help you access expertise and resources within Canada and around the world. Also, visit the link below to get specialized information for Alberta inventors.

Network Advisors  Inventors' Information Index

The CTN in Saskatchewan has close to 50 Network advisors across the province who can guide you towards the programmes that will benefit you the most and help you access expertise and resources within Canada and around the world. Also, visit the link below to get specialized information for Saskatchewan inventors.

Network Advisors  Inventors' Information Index

The CTN in Manitoba has a province-wide network of advisors who can guide you towards the programmes that will benefit you the most and help you access expertise and resources within Canada and around the world. Also, visit the link below to get specialized information for Manitoba inventors.

Network Advisors  Inventors' Information Index