Submit a Patented Product Idea

Legal Requirements Before Submission

3M has a two step process for you to submit a Patented Idea to us for evaluation. You must use this process to submit a Patented Idea, and any other communications by telephone, e-mail, postal service, overnight mail or personal contact will be redirected to this process:

1. Read the Patent Idea Submission Conditions. The Patented Idea Submission Conditions contain the legal ground rules under which 3M will accept your Patented Idea. You should read and evaluate the Conditions carefully. You will be asked to acknowledge your understanding that the Conditions will govern your submission of a Patented Idea to 3M, and to indicate your agreement to these Conditions. If you do not confirm your understanding of, and agreement to, these Conditions, we cannot accept your Patented Idea for evaluation.
2. Complete the Patented Idea Submission Form. This Form asks for your contact information, your Patented Idea and for information concerning your granted or issued patent. New product ideas associated with pending patent applications, provisional patent applications, and/or patent applications that are otherwise in prosecution will not be accepted in this process. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT 3M WILL ONLY RECEIVE YOUR PATENTED IDEA ON A NON-CONFIDENTIAL BASIS. YOU SHOULD ONLY PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO ALLOW 3M TO USE WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION, OR EXPECTATION OF COMPENSATION OR THAT 3M WILL HOLD SUCH INFORMATION IN CONFIDENCE. All fields identified by an asterisk (*) must be completed for your Patented Idea to be submitted.

If you submit your Patented Idea to 3M, it will be forwarded it to the appropriate 3M business for evaluation. Once the evaluation has been completed, 3M will communicate the result to you.