Question
I have developed a novel puzzle game which I will be submitting to the Apple Store. While I believe my game will be reasonably polished, I am an individual, working on the game in my spare time. I am afraid that if the idea itself proves sound (so far play testing indicates it is) that a firm or individual with more resources will steal the idea. They could repackage it in a slightly different or more polished form and throw promotional resources at it, eventually displacing my version. I am contemplating filling a provisional application for the idea so that if it does take off, I can make the investment in filling for a full application while at the same time making competitors aware of the application. Does this approach make sense?
Answers: 2 public & 1 private
Hi,
In addition, when/ if you publicly disclose your idea to a third party, it may start the 1 year bar time period for the US. For most of the rest of the world it will be too late. The US gives a 1 year grace period between public disclosure and filing. The rest of the world is absolute novelty, meaning, they do not give a grace period. So you need to file the provisional before you publicly disclose if you want protection outside the US: best practice general rule (public disclosure is complicated). And you need to keep track of the public disclosure date for the US, because you have to file a utility within the 1 yr period.
Thanks,
Mary
Recent questions
I am looking for ...
3 6115 2