An agent that sells your idea

I can't say it is common, but I saw it more than once.

When I was searching for association in China, I was told that we could have other form of cooperation: I, as a business man, can look for investors from oversea. The guy was very proud of the files of patent applications, saying that some of those information represented potential for investment, and most important of all, he knew the invention before anyone else.

I have difficulty in dealing with a self appointed invention dealer and I couldn't trust the guy with confidential information, so I said goodbye as soon as I can.