The lamp test is a simple indicator to show if your idea is worth patenting. It is not a definitive legal view of your idea but is meant to be informative and helpful to give you a better understanding of what goes into making a patent. To get a definitive view on your idea, please go to request a quote >

Please answer these questions:

1. Does anybody apart from the inventor/inventors know about the idea?
   The more people that know about an idea or invention the more likely it is to become either copied or recorded in a way to make your idea not unique anymore. When you have a good idea and you think it is of value then the key is to start the process of patenting it to give your idea protection from others using your idea. This is one of the key factors as to why people create patents so that it protects their idea as they develop and apply it.
2. What is your idea?
   1. Something new that has not been done before
      A patent has to be an invention or idea that is new or novel and not been done before. One of the key tests of a patent is it’s novelty.
   2. Something new that you have developed from something else
      A patent can be a development of an original idea but the improvement or development must be new or novel it cannot be just a slight improvement.
   3. A Secret known only to but you have been using for years
      If you have been doing something for a number of years secretly then it is more likely this is a trade secret of your business rather than a patent.
   4. Something new that is still only theoretical and needs other technology developments to make it work (eg a time machine!)
      A patent has to have a level of practical application and be able to be applied today. If it is just a theoretical idea that could not be put into practice then you would need to see if it could be developed in the future and patent it at that stage.
3. How did you come up with your idea?
   1. It came to me out of the blue!
      A patent has to be an invention or idea that is new or novel and not been done before. One of the key tests of a patent is it’s novelty.
   2. I have been looking at a product for a while and thought of a completely new way of doing it
      A patent can be a development of an original idea but the improvement or development must be new or novel it cannot be just a slight improvement.
   3. I saw something similar in an old book
      Unless you can demonstrate that your idea is new or novel then it is unlikely to be granted as a patent. Existing Documents and drawings are called ‘prior art’ and they can have a big effect on whether a patent will be granted.
   4. It is something I have been using for years gradually improving it
      A patent has to demonstrate it is new or novel. Something that you have gradually developed is unlikely to be able to do this, unless you have done it in complete secrecy. If you have an idea that is new then it is always worth thinking about patenting it as soon as practical so that you are afforded protection.
4. If someone familiar with your business or product area saw your idea would they see it as:
   1. Brand New and inventive?
      A patent has to be an invention or idea that is new or novel and not been done before. One of the key test of a patent is it novelty especially viewed by a person familiar with your product type.
   2. A novel improvement to an existing design?
      A patent can be a development of an original idea but the improvement or development must be new or novel it cannot be just a slight improvement.
   3. A significant improvement but not different than before?
      If you have been doing something is improved but is not significant but not novel or new then although it is a good idea it is not something that could be patented.
   4. They could understand it as is a theoretical improvement of the future?
      A patent has to have a level of practical application and be able to be applied today. If it is just a theoretical idea that could not be put into practice then you would need to see if it could be developed in the future and patent it at that stage.
5. What is the commercial potential of your idea?
   1. It would be cheap to do and has a number of benefits over existing applications
      If you are investing in a patent you need to hope you will get a return for the cost of an investment. If the benefit is significant and cheap to change how things are currently done, then this has the potential of a great idea! ☺
   2. It would need a lot of investment but would have a number of benefits over existing applications
      If the cost of investment is high but the benefits are clear and mean the cost of the investment is outweighed by the benefits, then this has the potential of a great idea! ☺
   3. It would need a lot of investment and the benefits still need to be evaluated
      If you are going to the expense of creating a patent then you need to hope that you will get a return from your investment. Before you proceed it will be well worth assessing the benefit the patent will bring in return versus the cost to develop, and seeing if it makes sense for you to proceed.
   4. Not sure what is needed to develop it commercially
      If you are going to the expense of creating a patent then you need to hope that you will get a return from your investment. Before you proceed it will be well worth assessing the benefit the patent will bring in return versus the cost to develop, and seeing if it makes sense for you to proceed.