In the patent I am filing for currently, I documented every step of the process, and then had the notebook notarized. From what I have been told, this is enough to establish me as being the originator of the idea in case two or more people file for patents at the same time.

I could be all wet, but I have heard this from three patent lawyers in my area.

Also, you have one year from offering the finished product for sale to get a patent, and the protections are levied from the time the patent is filed for, “hence – Patent Pending.” You can further extend that time period if you document the process as you go, and have the notebook notarized.

A patent is always in the open; that is its purpose. An untimely public disclosure of otherwise patentable IP will jeopardize efforts to secure patent protection, but until the patent is issued, there is no patent to protect. Please help me understand what sense I am to make of your statement.