Patent Pending

[Duke]

Does anyone know of a good resource for how to patent something, whether or not it's necessary and how much getting a patent costs?

I do have a product that I've put close to 13 years into that I'm seriously considering taking to the next level and I'd like to protect the product legally from being copied/re-distributed under another brand name.

I'm mostly worried about North American statutes as I intend to ship to the US as well.

Thanks.

[TKDLady]

I know there is a patent office somewhere probably in Washington DC. The best I can do is tell you to do a search for Patent office or something like that. Sorry I am not more help.

[Duke]

I'm not really sure what I expected to be totally honest. I guess I'm just thinking out loud because I'd hate to see this product taken to market by someone else because I think it may end up being a pretty good success.

If not however, at least I'll have tried it.

[darkangelism]

well you would have to file separately in the US from canada. the cost Fees - FY 2007 Fee Schedule

So not exactly cheap, but worth it if the product is good. my dad has a bunch, so i could get at least some basic info on the process.

[Duke]

Thanks for the link da, it was certainly an eye opener. I always thought that filing a Patent was around the $5000 mark, not $500.

I really have no idea which of those applies to me though, it really does read like stereo instructions.

[darkangelism]

When i get some free time, ill read through it and see if i can help point you in the right direction, right now i am trying to get my MCP(microsoft) certification for work in the next week or 2

[Duke]

Thanks da, I appreciate it.

[IR_Efrem]

What is it? Send me some diagrams n such and I'll take care of it for ya.

There are companies here in the states that do this for a fee and will even help with production and such. I'm not so certain that this is the type of thing that you want.

[IR_Efrem]

Patent - Patent101 | Patents and Trademarks | Patent Idea

Has some links and basic information you might want to read, perhaps help you learn some patent language to determine what you need.

[Duke]

By the looks of things I may be off to see a lawyer again prior to showing our product around. Since the market goal is North America I'd really like to make sure that we cover our butts both in the US and Canada.

I also hope to have an online presence as well so hopefully a lawyer can help me understand the issues we face in a global market (assuming we ever get that far).

[TKDLady]

You certainly have my curiosity up as to what it is. But I understand the confidentiality behind it. Good luck.

[IR_Efrem]

you could throw us a bone duke - product service? related to what?

somethin heh - i dont wanna know exactly what it does or what its for =P

[Duke]

Originally Posted by IR_Efrem

you could throw us a bone duke - product service? related to what?

somethin heh - i dont wanna know exactly what it does or what its for =P

For obvious reasons I can't really go into what it is I'm working on but suffice to say, there are about 6 products in various stages of evolution with two products fully realized from design to manufacture. One of these two products is consumer based and targeted for a large audience that is willing to spend a few extra dollars for a superior product not exactly new to the market place. This product has been running around the back of my mind for close to 13 years now (as my daughter pointed out) and meeting with my future business partner helped streamline the product to a much more "manufacture friendly" and cost effective end result.

This product (we'll call it Product#1) is now in costing stages and it looks as if we'll be assembling between 4 - 6 samples in the months of Feb - March. Once we've worked out the complete manufacturing process, we'll see if we can find anyone who wants to carry the product locally (which shouldn't be a problem) and in the meantime find suppliers to manufacture portions of the raw