Question on possible patent?

Dear All

I am struggling with a question for the past few hours (seem to get a different perspective/possible answer from different sources) and was wondering if anyone of you could help me out, this being your line of work and all.

My question has to do with patents.

Is it possible that using things that are commonly available today in the market (i.e. software, hardware and existing distribution networks to get the product to the market) if one can make a new service which is not available anywhere in the world, one could apply for a patent on it?

Right now I can create a flow chart or a write up of what and how we would have to do all the activities involved to provide this new service.

There is no invention involved, it is simply a process of using existing publically available resources to create a completely new online service (sorry due to the confidentiality aspect cannot divulge more at this point).

If I go to a patent attorney in the US or UK how do I know that he will not run away with my idea and file the patent himself.

Kind regards,

[annjd]

Yes that often happens. Have a patent lawyer examine it as well. They do have a duty of confidentiality.