You have a great idea, but just how do you profit from it? And what should you do to make sure no one copies it? The Bright Idea Handbook (“Which?” Essential Guides) shows you how to develop your idea, protect it, pitch for financial backing and ultimately turn it into a profitable business.There can be many hurdles on the road to commercial success, from asserting your rights as creator of the idea, through to getting the funding and market launch you need.

 The Bright Idea Handbook provides practical, step-by-step guidance for understanding intellectual property law and tips on how to find and use the best lawyer to help you. The book also outlines how to make the pitch of a lifetime, plan your advertising and marketing strategy and get distribution of your product or service up and running. There are tips for tackling infringement of your idea and how to make the most of the protection you do have through franchises and licenses.

Aimed at anyone who has ever considered entering the Dragons’ Den, or even had just a seedling idea,  The Bright Idea Handbook will help turn budding inventors’ dreams into a reality.

It is the first book by Michael Gardner, head of Commercial, IP and IT Law at Wedlake Bell. He acts for a diverse range of clients, from well-known brands to small start-ups. His specialist areas include dispute avoidance and dispute resolution involving intellectual property matters and commercial issues. He is highly experienced in both pursuing and defending claims in the fields of trade marks, passing off, malicious falsehood, copyright and designs. He also regularly advises on the associated areas of confidentiality, privacy and data protection. The Bright Idea Handbook is a must-read for anyone with an idea for a business or an invention. Along with how to make a profit and to ensure no one copies the idea, it also covers developing and protecting ideas, pitching for financial backing and ultimately turning it into a profitable business.

Michael Gardner says: “Lots of people have great ideas, but don’t know how to turn them into reality. In the current economic climate, many of us are being forced to re-think our careers and look at other ways of making money. This book is a must-have practical guide on how to protect and exploit IP rights and new business ideas, and ultimately ensure your idea is a commercial success.”

The Bright Idea Handbook can be ordered on 01903 828557 (£10.99 including free p&p) or at www.which.co.uk or bought from bookshops.