To Patent or Not To Patent...

So you have a great idea that you are sure no one has ever used before. How do you decide if it is worth all the expense and trouble to patent it? Remember, patenting requires plenty of time and money and at the end of it all, you may find that you do not have sufficient grounds for a patent. Also, it may not be worth getting a patent, if there is absolutely no way that you can find out if someone is using your idea or not (barring of course, the personal satisfaction involved). Go through this article in IEEE Spectrum if you are considering a patent, or if you think you will ever have a great patentable idea.