The other day, a local inventor came to me for advice because I deal with people on the Internet around the globe, understand that I operate a think tank, and they also inquired about the things they must do. I can not let you know what this special invention is because it is such a great idea, and it is confidential. Nevertheless, I recommended which they pursue to "Google Scholar" and check to find out if other people has a patent. First, it won't be an easy task to check because different industries use different buzzwords.
There might be someone who has the patent to your exact invention and idea, almost just how you envision it in your thoughts, but to find it you must get creative and check all different kinds of comparable words to find it, of course, if it is operational you do are looking for it. Obviously, when it doesn't exist, you are in luck, then you can certainly visit next step. When someone already has a similar patent, try to find a different application for that device, or make the device in another way. If you can't, with covered all their bases, you may wish to contact the person, and see if you cannot make and market their product, because many individuals get a patent rather than exercise it.
In other words they never build the merchandise, never designed to, they just desired to have the patent hold onto it, just in case somebody else did, and then they could get money from their store. Also, sometimes patent holders have held their patents for many years, or decades, they might be willing at this time to help you to produce their idea, for a couple percentage points in royalties. Therefore, if someone already has got the patent, you are able to assist them some sort of exclusive agreement for a specific industry niche or application, and just let them have a couple of percentage points. Everyone wins.
They only license the patent to you for your specific use, therefore you may start making it, and selling it. That's every bit as good right? Sure it really is, and you also don't need to get the patent, you simply need to provide them with a few percentage points - that saves you time, as the patent process will take years, and value hundreds and hundreds of dollars. So in cases like this, it could even be better. Indeed I hope you will please consider this all and think on.
FYI: Oh, any thing, I'm not a patent attorney, and you do need to perform a legal bona fide patent search even though you don't find anything online before you begin the patent process. You'll need a good patent attorney because of this, and be very cautious with people promising a turnkey patent online, not all of them are savory characters - how do you think I am aware that? Let's just think of it as; hard knocks and experience.