It is important that you do not disclose your idea to anyone before you file an application, because then it cannot be patented. Your invention must not have been:

• Made public, for example, through a publication, lecture, interview, radio broadcast, film or video.
• Demonstrated so that it can be considered as known.
• Sold so that it can be considered as known.
• Talked about among your friends and acquaintances.
• Tested in a place where anyone could have seen it.

The contents of your patent application are kept secret for up to 18 months from the date of filing.

Confidentiality agreements

When you show or talk about your invention, it is important that you make sure the person you are dealing with treats it with confidentiality. It might be worth drawing up a confidentiality agreement with the party you are planning to talk to. The Swedish Inventors' Association and ALMI Företagspartner, among others, have examples of confidentiality agreements on their websites.

More information

Swedish Inventors' Association (Svenska Uppfinnareföreningen)
ALMI Företagspartner
Confidentiality at PRV