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What about the IPRs? Is it patentable? I'd strongly recommend investigating this asap. You can conduct preliminary research on this at USPTO site (I'm assuming

What about the IPRs? Is it patentable? I'd strongly recommend investigating this asap. You can conduct preliminary research on this at USPTO site (I'm assuming you're in the US): http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=web-sdmg-uspto.gov&query=provisional+patent+application http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=web-sdmg-uspto.gov&#3... If possible, consult a (reputed) patent attorney. A patent will not only deter competition but also add (significantly) to the valuation in any possible buy-out deal. Since it is this useful, if you can't patent it, think about how long it will take for competition to enter the market and then devise the future course of action accordingly. In case patenting is not an option, I'd suggest ramping up your marketing (very) quickly to grab market share fast while you still have the first mover advantage. HTH

iontheprize 16y ago
I'm meeting with a patent attorney on Thursday to find out the answer to that question. I think it is, but I'm going to find out and hopefully have a provisional patent filed as soon as possible. I agree 100% with you that we have to act fast in order to grab market share and the person I'm dealing with fully agrees with that. What I've built isn't rocket science (though not easy either), it just simply appeals to the market really well. Therefore, moving fast and having this person introduce us to the players in the market is very important, but he's not interested in just commission or even salary. Therefore I'm leaning towards sharing some of the company with him. It seems like a good trade-off to me at this point. Thanks for the comments.
- sagacity 16y ago
  Great! A provisional patent application is a quick (and relatively inexpensive) way of obtaining a priority date of filing - to sort of 'stake your claim', giving you a one year window to convert to a full application, as I'm sure the attorney will tell you. Indeed, the beauty of simple (and unique) things is that they often appeal to the markets big-time. How many times do we come across something really simple and cool only to kick ourselves: why did I not think of this? All the best and God speed.

iontheprize 16y ago

I'm meeting with a patent attorney on Thursday to find out the answer to that question. I think it is, but I'm going to find out and hopefully have a provisional patent filed as soon as possible. I agree 100% with you that we have to act fast in order to grab market share and the person I'm dealing with fully agrees with that. What I've built isn't rocket science (though not easy either), it just simply appeals to the market really well. Therefore, moving fast and having this person introduce us to the players in the market is very important, but he's not interested in just commission or even salary. Therefore I'm leaning towards sharing some of the company with him. It seems like a good trade-off to me at this point. Thanks for the comments.

sagacity 16y ago
Great! A provisional patent application is a quick (and relatively inexpensive) way of obtaining a priority date of filing - to sort of 'stake your claim', giving you a one year window to convert to a full application, as I'm sure the attorney will tell you. Indeed, the beauty of simple (and unique) things is that they often appeal to the markets big-time. How many times do we come across something really simple and cool only to kick ourselves: why did I not think of this? All the best and God speed.