Patent????

[emo]

I am working on a prototype of an idea I have for a unique gadget for hunting and was wondering about the patent process. It may never make it out of the garage but I am curious as to how to start if it works out. Anyone been down that road?

[eSJay]

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... nt#p860269

[ShiftZ]

Haven't been down that road personally but have a few friends that have.

First thing is to make a copy of your drawings and plans and send them registered mail to yourself. When you get them don't open it, just lock it away in a safe deposit box or gun safe. That way if it ever comes up later you will have evidence of your idea with a date stamp on it. After that I don't know, I will try to ask them and see what they say about the rest of the process.

[emo]

Thanks for the info. I am not going to be able to mass produce this product so I would have to try to sell the idea to a large company. I would hate to see one on tv one day and say " well I didn't get a dime for that".

[jclay]

The patent office has a pretty good outline of the process here: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/index.jsp , and there's a list of registered patent agents and patent attorneys here: https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/query.jsp

You may want to contact a patent agent or attorney in your area. In my experience, most would be glad to talk with you about how the process works.

[mossyisland]

I just got through filing a patent a couple of months ago. The first thing is if you tell anyone, get them to sign a confidentiality agreement. Then contact a patent attorney. Here is the attorney I used, this is all he does is deal with patents:

Stephen S. Ashley, Jr.

Patent Attorney

ASHLEY LAW FIRM P.C.

10800 Sikes Place, Suite 300

Charlotte, NC 28277

Telephone: (704) 927-5824

Facsimile: (704) 927-5924

E-mail: sa@ashleypatentlaw.com

[MudHog]

[quote="emo"] I would have to try to sell the idea to a large company. [quote]


Go on Shark Tank!

[420 racin]

Why don't you just tell me what your idea is and how you plan on making it and I will see if I can help get the ball rolling for you!!

Seriously, had a buddy in Afghan that went through it and he sold his idea. He had some marketing company come and do all the legal stuff and research and development and then they took care of the marketing of the product. He had to pay that company up front for all that work, but once it was done, he owned the patent on that, whether big companies wanted to buy into or flat out buy his patent or not, he owned the patent. I think he finally got some companies to start buying into his idea.