Using an Inventor's Journal to Establish Intellectual Property Rights

In the United States, Invention.lifetips.com/cat/64031/intellectual-property/index.html">intellectual property rights go to the first to invent, not the first to file. So, in order to protect your invention for potential challenges, put your idea down in writing.

The best way to do this is to begin an inventor's journal. In your journal, describe your invention in words and pictures. Date all entries, and include calculations, observations, formulas, paid receipts and conversations. In addition to acting as a credible defense, your inventor's journal will be an asset to making progress on your invention as well. If two people have the same idea and both have journals, the one with the earliest beginning date will be considered the inventor.

Many people will tell you to mail yourself a registered letter in order establish legal proof of invention, but this will not hold any legal weight in court.