How do I trust an investor on an invention idea?

I have many ideas for products that (I) or big companies could sell. I can't really get things rolling. What are the main steps in getting started. Who do I trust to work with and get these items from my head to the big market?

Before releasing any propietary information, ask people to sign a Non-Disclosure Confidentiality form.

Check out the source box for some handy links.

Do you have a name in mind for your products? Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.

This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.

Research is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!

There are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).

The only true way to answer this question is this: You can patent a product then shop it around. What you may think is a good product/invention may not be to others. Never tell anyone your idea unless they plan on paying for it.