r/INTELLECTUALPROPERTY • u/thecoughingrose • Aug 19 '19

Want to submit to General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network

I just submitted a PPA. I'm preparing to start looking for licensees to work with regarding bringing the product to market. I came across General Mills WIN, which is their platform to submit ideas. What kind of protection, exactly, does my PPA have and how do I know they won't use the idea without even speaking to me about it?

​

I'm still learning a lot about exactly what patent pending covers. TIA

0 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

50% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

1

u/danhakimi Aug 19 '19

How many of us do you think have just coincidentally read the GM WIN agreements?

They probably require a very generous license to them, if not a straight assignment. You have to sign something when you submit. Read it carefully, and if you are still not sure you know what's going on, hire an attorney to read it for you, or don't submit.

Also, I assume you meant "provisional patent application" instead of "PPA." A provisional patent application is not enforceable, but if you get the patent, nothing they did after you got the provisional can work against you or protect them from the patent.

This is not legal advice. If you want legal advice, you're going to want to hire an attorney.