4 ms·

Patent. It costs about 10k. March to bank and negotiate it. That sum is somewhat easy to earn if you fail, they have almost no risk. Once you have "pending" yo

by vlehto 11y ago

Patent. It costs about 10k. March to bank and negotiate it. That sum is somewhat easy to earn if you fail, they have almost no risk. Once you have "pending" you have your idea protected enough. Marketing should start as soon as it's filed. Nobody cares to copy as long as your patent is seen invaluable. If it's seen as valuable, you can easily sell it to someone who will defend it. Or raise funds to protect it yourself, as it's now reasonable investment. I'm in the same boat and have been for few years now. It sucks and it will continue sucking untill it's filed. I'm honestly scared.

6stringmerc 11y ago
Thanks for responding, I appreciate it! I've got a local support guy who caters to small timers and will file a full one for $5k. His lookup fee is also very good for an individual like me. I can afford it, at least for one device. I'm just on the fence about doing it though, because it means I have to spend lots of time, energy, effort in producing a prototype, getting it in front of markets I've identified, and essentially becoming the CEO of a start-up. The risk profile isn't very healthy for me, in that I'd be a lot more comfortable signing away future income as a percentage than to have the objective as a side project. You make a really excellent point about value though - my consult with the patent attorney pointed out that if there's merit, then 'cornering' the market for the device is really a good move if there's a genuine plan and will to capitalize on it. I do have a co-worker who has just finished patenting and is now marketing his device, so I've got some guidance and support in that arena. Reluctance sucks. But I guess the nice part about inventing something really clever - and patent worthy - is knowing it'd be a real fluke if somebody else managed to invent the same thing and file first haha!

by vlehto 11y ago

6stringmerc 11y ago

Thanks for responding, I appreciate it! I've got a local support guy who caters to small timers and will file a full one for $5k. His lookup fee is also very good for an individual like me. I can afford it, at least for one device. I'm just on the fence about doing it though, because it means I have to spend lots of time, energy, effort in producing a prototype, getting it in front of markets I've identified, and essentially becoming the CEO of a start-up. The risk profile isn't very healthy for me, in that I'd be a lot more comfortable signing away future income as a percentage than to have the objective as a side project. You make a really excellent point about value though - my consult with the patent attorney pointed out that if there's merit, then 'cornering' the market for the device is really a good move if there's a genuine plan and will to capitalize on it. I do have a co-worker who has just finished patenting and is now marketing his device, so I've got some guidance and support in that arena. Reluctance sucks. But I guess the nice part about inventing something really clever - and patent worthy - is knowing it'd be a real fluke if somebody else managed to invent the same thing and file first haha!