hey guys,
i was wondering if anyone ever had to file a patent?
seem like everybody that i talk too have different answers…
is there a cheap way to do it?
the lawyer want about $5000 to do it, crazy!
any help would be appreciated…
Maybe get a good book on the subject?
A patent lawyer is the correct way to go
they will be doing a lot of searching patent archives for similar things that may conflict with you idea.
they will represent you at the patent office.
it is very time consuming
you should date and sign all papers and drawings and mail them to yourself and dont open the envolope
the postmark date will be your verification of the date of your idea
Obviously if you posted here, patent books and other obvious things(patent webpages) are out of the question.
I have done this before, but I can’t read a book for you.
Overaall, one should have a college background that strongly includes science, otherwise they are in over their head.
www.amazon.com :where you can book it!
Otherwise, I give up!
I just went through the process... This is what I've done so far:
Found a GOOD patent attorney... Patent search $600, found no conflict...
Had attorney write up preliminary patent app... filed for provisional patent ($2000).
That means I am protected for one year. Now I produce the product, market test it, try to sell the lic. to manufacture. Prior to one year I have to file for the full Patent (about another $7000).
I'm about 6 months into the Prov.Pat. and have 100 pieces made, web site should be up in a week and first public showing/sale will be in three weeks. I've talked to a manufacturer's rep. but their REALLY slow at even wanting to talk with you.
Like they said long slow process.
Les
If you don't get an attorney, someone else will. Patents are only as good as the amount of money you're willing to spend protecting them.
You might want to check out elance.com - some of the patent agents / attorneys have very reasonable prices. I found someone to write my formal application for $2500 when everyone else was quoting $5000, he was great to work with, and seemed to do a very thorough job. The problem as you will find as you get further down this path is that for the lay person (myself) it is very difficult to tell the difference between a “good” application and a not so good application. You almost need to hire a second attorney to check the work of the first… :)
Good Luck!!
Colin
"How to patent it yourself", Nolo Press, is a good start to understanding the process. They have two types of "How to..." last i looked, one a small handbook summary and a big one, your copy must be a current dated edition. Libraries have a lot of Nolo Press self help legal books, ask about inter library loan at your library.
Hey Les…
What do you think of the stuff I sent you…???..
Howzit ken, Here comes the "Cleaners" .Ha,Ha,. Aloha,Kokua
just share the love bro
yeah just get a big house and paint flowers all over it…
come in eat and drink everything because
i am a whore.
what love?
pC is living in lala land .
next thing i know someone took my idea and patent it so i cant use it anymore.
sound brilliant.
the only way i can share it is to patent it.
after i will be the one deciding if people can use for free and what not.
how about a anti nagging device for the missus. id be a millionaire .
Your onto something Paul, iphone application that makes the missus mute (or you def) when she starts nagging. At $10 a hit x 1 billion blokes in a relationship in the world = heaps more money than a surfboard patent.
best answer for this question. A patent is no good if you can’t afford to take people to court who use your idea.
I filed a provisional patent application 3 years ago and a non-provisional patent application just over 2 years ago. Still no action by the USPTO. As stated already, it is a long drawn out process, 3-4 years. For a fairly basic idea, a non-provisional patent is likely to cost you around $US 10,000 by the time you have been officially awarded the patent.
I did not do a patent search but I am very familiar with the technology I developed in my specialized field. I pretty much know what is out there. However, for something non-specialized (more general) a patent search would be a good idea.
You have one year from the date you made your invention publicly known to file either a provisional patent application or a non-provisional patent application. As said already, the provisional patent buys you a year. After that, you have to file a non-provisional patent application. From the date of filing, the non-provisional patent covers your invention for 20 years. Remember though, improvements to your idea are patentable – this happens all the time. I applied for a patent to keep other companies from preventing me from selling my own invention. Wording is critical espcecially for the claims. Your best bet if you want even reasonable protection is to hire a patent attorney.
My attorney advised me that licensing your invention patent to companies can be tricky and not always profitable. Beware of sending anything specific about your invention to a company up front without signed legal agreements in advance (no-compete and non-disclosure agreements, etc.). Read about the case of Victoria’s Secret stealing a patented bra design somebody sent to them in advance of a meeting about licensing. VS changed lace hooks to loops/eyelets, or something like that.
While it is costly, if you think you have a really valuable idea/invention, a good patent attorney is worth the money.
How solid are surfboard patents? Like I was wondering if the patent on carbon fiber rails had lapsed cause there seems to be other people out there doing them now?