Topic: Anyone here know about patents? (Read 1140 times)

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **on:** August 11, 2004, 11:16:38 am »

Ive been kicking around several ideas for years now and I was wondering if anyone knew about patent laws?

Do you need a patent attourney? Cost?

Is there a patent fee?

I know you need a prototype. Is there a trustworthy investment group to help with the cost of manufacture for a percentage? I really dont want to get ripped off.

Death_Merchant · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2004, 11:45:26 am »

I can't speak directly to cost with much conviction, as my patents were awarded at work (paid for by the company).

Yes, you need a patent attorney. They usually charge ~$180/hr.
Figure on dropping about $5K (~$350 filing fee, ~$200 for drawings, + lawyer time)
The time spent with the lawyer is often directly related to how well you have described and documented the invention. If the patent is very technical, it pays to find a lawyer with a scientific background in that field.

You may or may not need a prototype. It depends on the type of patent/invention. A drawing may suffice.

Also ask yourself: Why do I want to patent this?
Can you then sell the IP to a manufacturer? Are you to manufacture/utilize it?
If you are the end customer, do you have the deep pockets to sue anyone who may infringe?

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2004, 12:06:16 pm »

Well without going into too much detail, Ill tell you what Ive got. Basically, it is a type of driver to turn a generator. I came across this several years ago by accident while messing around in my workshop. It has the potential for large scale applications such power generation or on a small scale, such as home power generation or in an automibile.

I know. I know. People have claimed to do this before, but I have generated enough power to run a refrigerator and freezer, and that was using items I already had.

Death_Merchant · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2004, 12:42:06 pm »

Go to http://www.uspto.gov/

You can do some searching of prior art yourself. In other words, look to see what has already been patented.
This is the first thing a patent attorney would do.
Is your idea already patented? Are some of your potential claims covered by another patent? What other patents must you reference?
All these question you can begin to research.

Again, I must emphasize this point: A patent is not a protective "shield". It's a stick.
It gives you legal recourse to sue someone who is infringing on your idea. You must "swing it".
Just because you have a patent does not mean someone still won't use your idea. They might, if they think you can't/won't take them to court.

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2004, 02:52:30 pm »

Thanks DM. Ill remember you when Im rich and famous.

Javora · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2004, 06:15:45 pm »

That is some good information DM, as I have been kicking around a idea or two myself.

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2004, 06:50:02 pm »

Seems we have some inventors here too. Ive always said that the various SFC forums had the most diverse group of people of any type of forums Ive been to.

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2004, 02:32:34 am »

Anyone else here a "mad scientist"? If so, what area(s) are you dealing with.

Me:

1. The "engine" I was talking about.

2. A mirror that would let near sighted and far sighted women put on makeup. (There's a ton of money in that type of thing)

3. Im also working on several kinds of ceramics. (Im a trained potter)

Edit: I do alot of my buying of odds and ends at http://www.sciplus.com/. You can find all kinds of stuff there.

Im always tinkering around with something.

Javora · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2004, 05:09:43 am »

My idea deals with how data is transfered from one computer system to another.

Death_Merchant · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2004, 10:10:49 am »

I have been awarded 2 US/European patents and am working on another disclosure.

FYI: The patent attorney made more money off the filings than I did from the patents

Hmmmmm.... Ole DM considers a side career......

Pestalence_XC · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2004, 10:16:18 am »

Also, from my industry.. a patent product can be copied by any company.. they can not release it or do anything legally unless they change the overall product by 14%.. but once they change the product by 14%, they can patent it as their design...

Take FTP programs.. the biggest one out there was WS_FTP.. FTP Voyager took WS_FTP and changed the UI across the board and changed the functions up some, but it is basically at it's core the same program withonly a 14% change.. both are patented by both companies respectively.. but it is still based off WS_FTP initial work on the FTP that they released...

several products do the same thing.. take MRI's.. all of them do the same thing only the design is changed by a minimum of 14%...

Look at Toasters, Microwaves, TV's, VCR's, DVD Players.. etc...

If you are seeking a patent.. make sure you cover your bases on various designs or programming techniques to make it as hard as possible for another company to adjust your program to where they can put a patent on a variation of your work..

Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2004, 04:23:16 pm »

Hmmm, thanks for the warning Pestalence. I'll have to see if I cant cover all my bases.

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