| Author | Message | ||
     Kyrocket |
Got some questions and thought I'd rely on the worldly knowledge that is Badweb. I've got an idea for an invention, well, not so much an invention as a new version on an old theme. Where would a lay person even begin in terms of marketing, manufacturing, licensing and so forth? I've done a minimal amount of research and have found free online invention help offers but would like some real world advise or a point in a generally correct direction. Maybe be a contestant on the show Shark Tank? LOL. | ||
| Stirz007 |
I've heard two or three routes to being a gazillionaire inventor. The "reality TV" thing, the "inventors.com" sites and then the old way... patent attorney. Basically the real work is determining whether someone else has beat you to the punch - that's the patent research part. I know a guy who did it himself and thought he was good to go (turned out he wasn't). What he got from his experience is that you may want to consult with a patent attorney and see what you're into.... Hope you came up with something cool | ||
| Xl1200r |
There are a few companies out there that specialize in vetting your idea and helping you put together patents, marketing, manufacturing, etc. The only one I know off the top of my head is Davison - never used them, though. At a minimum, you need to hire a patent lawyer to determine if your idea is different enough to qualify for a patent and, if so, file the patent paperwork for it. | ||
| 86129squids |
I know next to nothing, but here goes: 1- I can't remember if this is true or not, but type up a complete A to Z description of the idea, mail it to yourself via certified mail, then put letter in lockbox. 2- Find a TRUSTED lawyer buddy, have extensive talks. 3- Go to the library, find relevant books on the subject(s) with the latest copyrights. Study. 4- Patience and perseverance. | ||
| Stirz007 |
"1- I can't remember if this is true or not, but type up a complete A to Z description of the idea, mail it to yourself via certified mail, then put letter in lockbox." I think Court espoused this idea, too. Maybe he can pipe in and explain how that works. I admit this isn't my area of expertise, but just because you thought of something and mailed it to yourself doesn't mean you have the priority right to that idea (at least that's my thought). Seems to me, if nobody knows about it, and it isn't in the patent system, you'd have a hard time making a claim against someone who actually filed a patent. I think there have been quite a few cases where the first one who actually filed got the patent (unless you can show that someone "stole" your idea - but that's hard to do if no one knows about it) | ||
| Strokizator |
Those inventors help ads on TV are a scam. They are there to simply take your money. Ideas are a dime a dozen. If you think you are onto something then build it yourself and then market it. If it is truly worthwhile then people will by it and it will get the attention of investors. There are lots of examples of this approach as in Snapple (bought by Quaker Oats for $1.7b), Clean Shower (bought by Clorox?) or even the Hula-Ho, a simple device that eventually sold millions and attracted a large buyer. There are two types of inventions; a completely new item or an improvement on an old design. Either one is valid but the bottom line is that you are going to have to work towards your success. Simply handing over an idea and making it rich is a long shot. | ||
| Court |
Court did. It's accurate. If you use a "friend" as your lawyer, you've just made the first, and likely the worst, mistake you can make in the process. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Court did. I must have missed that. Briefly, how does that work? I understand the premise of documenting the idea, but if you don't act on it, how do you demonstrate that you "own" the idea? (I'm thinking of the Xerox idea for a GUI - Microsoft saw it and patented it, even though Xerox thought of it first) (Message edited by Stirz007 on December 28, 2011) | ||
| Kyrocket |
"Court did." I had heard that before and thought I remembered seeing it on here also. It's funny you bring it up because I had the letter already addressed to myself on my desk as I typed up the original thread. The piece I'm thinking of is nothing new, it's been produced for literally decades I just want to jazz it up. I'm really surprised someone hasn't done so already but I've looked and looked and haven't found any, and maybe there's a reason. I want and need some so I thought hey, maybe someone else wants and needs some too. Off to do some more research. I'm going to be a gazillionaire and buys up all your Buells. Muuahhahahahaha | ||
| Davegess |
Check out this blog, lots of good info and books http://dearrichblog.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Whistler |
Before filing for a patent keep a couple of things in mind. In a patent you've got to describe the invention and how it is formulated or constructed. In other words you are showing the world your blueprint. There are people in this world that may copy your invention, patent or no. There are people who may almost copy your invention but make improvements. Just because the government issues you a patent does not mean it won't be challenged. The government will be glad to take your money with few questions asked. Be prepared to enforce the patent with effort and money. If you go forward try to visit a patent library or purchase the library CDs for initial research. Hire a good trustworthy patent attorney. There's other stuff to do and or avoid so it may be a good idea to hire an experienced trustworthy patent attorney. Hope it works out well for you. Let us know what happens so we have time to hide the Buells. Did I mention it may be advantageous to hire a good experienced trustworthy patent attorney? | ||
| Strokizator |
I suppose too you should consider how many of this item you could potentially sell. If you're making a light bracket for a Uly or a tea cozy for a BMW then your market is limited and not worth the effort and expense of obtaining a patent. If this is something everyone will want, then go for it. Whatever the outcome, you'll have to eventually tell us what this is. | ||
| Slaughter |
you will save some money with the attorney if you do your homework ahead of time. Use Google's patent search, use key words and note how your idea is different than the others you find. Write down the patent numbers or better yet, print them out and read them thoroughly. You WILL have to refer to similar patents and show how/why they are different. IF you are serious, you need to file a Patent Disclosure with two witnesses knowledgeable in the "art." At that point, you have 12 months to reduce it to practice. IF you're really on to something then YES, an attorney. You can do it yourself (Legal Zoom) but you must do a lot of work. I've been down this path. Tedious and not necessarily rewarding but CAN be. | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc- news/brilliant-idea-quirky-162227841.html;_ylc=X3oDMTNuaG9ub2k1BF9TAzIxNDU3MzU4MzQEYWN0A21h aWxfY2IEY3QDYQRpbnRsA3VzBGxhbmcDZW4tVVMEcGtnAzhjMj I1YzFiLTc3OGMtMzFhNC04NDQzLWQ2YzJhOGI1NGUxYQRzZWMD bWl0X3NoYXJlBHNsawNtYWlsBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3 | ||
| Vtpeg |
Whistler and Strok have really good points. I investigated a college design project with a very small potential customer base. Cost of the patent would probably eat up any profits. Your patent is only as good as your attorney. State university has a patent research site. That said product is now available commercially, but only two companies world wide. Wasn't there someone on here with a unique fishing pole? | ||
| Rotzaruck |
That was Hexangler, he went through all that and probably has some good advice. Did he change his name? | ||
| Rotzaruck |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/495117.html I remembered about his name, he's Hexangler NOW. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I think ole Hex ended up getting bonked with the BAN HAMMER. Had a friend come up with a handy way to repair burned off wire terminals on compressors. He spent a ton of his money and ended up "partnering" with someone to get a patent. In the end, it was and still is a very popular repair item. It still ended up being copied, and his "investor" took him to the cleaners and ended up owning the patent. His next little invention that he came up with, he simply found a company that would make them, had packaging printed that said patent pending, and sold hell out of them. Yup, they got copied too, but he is still making some good money, and he didn't spend the thousands of dollars and endless aggrevation of chasing a patent. | ||
| Moxnix |
I miss the Hexster. |
