Once you publish it the first time, no one else can patent it. To get a patent you have to be able to establish that you thought of it before anyone else. Its called a defensive publication. I believe this may also prevent the original inventor from patenting it as well after publication.-As alex put it once it is published then it becomes a free for all.......
If contested, the envelope would be opened in front of an appointed officer of the law. At that point, the legal proceeding would be enough to certify the date of the invention in legal records.
Technically you don't have to do anything. Once you publish it the first time, no one else can patent it. To get a patent you have to be able to establish that you thought of it before anyone else. It's called a defensive publication. I believe this may also prevent the original inventor from patenting it as well after publication.
As alex put it once it is published then it becomes a free for all. I seem to recall that you need to send yourself a fax or such with this information on it to get a validation of time & date & ownership first. Also a notary could not hurt. If you take it to China, they will consider it property of the people & they do not see any reason for the patent protection.
I have several patents and unlike yourself I didn't do it for free as I expected something for them. However, Ithink your great in wanting to give. Insofar as a patent for free, no way. It's a pain in the *** to do it giving money to attorneys.
I've found two important things about patents; domestic and internation. These people from foreign are waiting on your patent applications so they can produce them overseas; so you gift may assist the enemy!
Love your generosity! Maybe it's something it can save us from destroying ourselves!
