<html><head></head><body><div class="ydpb2ac6bf3yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">You don't need a working prototype to file for a patent.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span> You must file for your patent before engaging in any public use, sale, offer for sale or disclosure outside of a confidential relationship. <br></span></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span>One optional approach is to first file for a provisional patent, which you describe as "Patent Pending". This is dirt cheap to do, a few hundred. And doesn't even get reviewed by the patent office. It allows you time to market your patent and seek investors who can fund the actual patent application. Note that you MUST file for the regular patent within 1 year of filing for the provisional patent, or forever loose the ability to file for that invention.<br></span></div><div><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">-Joe</div></div></body></html>