1.   He patented the idea that the atom could be split.

2.   But his wife, June, said it is important to patent an idea, for financial and competitive reasons.

3.   Figuring that other do-it-yourself carpenters must run into the same difficulty that he did, Chagnot patented his idea.

4.   He patented the idea and lived to see the Darlington chip become required study for electrical-engineering students everywhere.

5.   It would shield prior users of an invention from having to pay royalties if another inventor later patented the same idea.

6.   Leavitt has tried to patent other ideas.

7.   Of course, he has patented the idea.

8.   Of course, patenting an idea is one thing.

9.   Patenting the idea is security for that creative impulse.

10.   The first step to patenting any idea, from mouse traps to genetically engineered drugs, is to establish that no one else has already beat you to it.