5 ms·

"Join or start a Hackerspace, work from Techshop, contact makers who post interesting projects: find people working on hardware like yours and ask how they deal

by pitt1980 12y ago

"Join or start a Hackerspace, work from Techshop, contact makers who post interesting projects: find people working on hardware like yours and ask how they dealt with challenges you’re facing. These conversations have led to me discovering faster and cheaper ways to make SMD stencils, casting aluminum parts from 3D prints, sourcing cheap components direct from China at in-country prices, and taught me everything I know about making things." anyone have thoughts about how much IP protection someone should have before talking about their ideas at a Hackerspace or Techshop? Does it make sense to file provisional patents before working on an idea at one of these spaces?

errantspark 12y ago
Nobody is going to steal your unproven hardware idea at the TechShop. Don't worry.
- pitt1980 12y ago
  at what point in the processes of proving a concept does it make sense to get IP protection?
  - HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago
    When you realize that you will make more than the patent costs, plus the legal fees to sue an infringer. Before then, I'd say you have better uses for the money.
    - spiritplumber 12y ago
      A provisional patent is around $400 and lets you slap Patent Pending on the manual, which makes you look more serious, at least.
      - HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago
        [shrug] So you just paid $400 for the right to sue someone. Still gotta pay the lawyers.
        spiritplumber 12y ago
        It also makes you look a bit better to the sort of people who care about patents (The problem with lawyers is that they quickly get more expensive than siege engines, so their usefulness is limited).
      - ridgeguy 12y ago
        A provisional patent is $65 if you are a micro entity, $130 if you're a small entity. You have one year after filing your provisional patent to file a "regular" (utility) patent based on the provisional, and your utility filing gets the benefit of the provisional filing date. See fee schedule, refs of micro & small entities, etc: http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment...
angersock 12y ago
Nobody gives a shit about your idea until it's worth something, usually because you've built it. Don't be coy--nobody likes that guy.

errantspark 12y ago

Nobody is going to steal your unproven hardware idea at the TechShop. Don't worry.

pitt1980 12y ago
at what point in the processes of proving a concept does it make sense to get IP protection?
- HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago
  When you realize that you will make more than the patent costs, plus the legal fees to sue an infringer. Before then, I'd say you have better uses for the money.
  - spiritplumber 12y ago
    A provisional patent is around $400 and lets you slap Patent Pending on the manual, which makes you look more serious, at least.
    - HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago
      [shrug] So you just paid $400 for the right to sue someone. Still gotta pay the lawyers.
      - spiritplumber 12y ago
        It also makes you look a bit better to the sort of people who care about patents (The problem with lawyers is that they quickly get more expensive than siege engines, so their usefulness is limited).
    - ridgeguy 12y ago
      A provisional patent is $65 if you are a micro entity, $130 if you're a small entity. You have one year after filing your provisional patent to file a "regular" (utility) patent based on the provisional, and your utility filing gets the benefit of the provisional filing date. See fee schedule, refs of micro & small entities, etc: http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment...

angersock 12y ago

Nobody gives a shit about your idea until it's worth something, usually because you've built it. Don't be coy--nobody likes that guy.