Anyone ever get a patent or invent anything?

[logsquared]

I have been working on a idea (sorry, not laser related) for a few months now. The prototype is almost done and its looking like its gonna work. Anybody here ever try to get a patent? After the elation of seeing the idea come together I am now struck with the anxiety of "what to do next". Any advice or experience greatly appreciated.

[slicklasers]

Get a good lawyer. Make sure you apply for the patent not just here in the USA, but the any other country that is capable of producing the item.

[dnar]

Yes, I have designed quite a lot of electronic product that is in active production. No patents however.

Get a patent lawyer.

[VDX]

... did years ago some IP's on my own and with my company - no money earned, only costs

And with the actual situation -- the chinese 'cloners' will copy any interesting part regardless of IP's ...

So my advice - simply be faster and better than the competitors (or cloners)

Viktor

[logsquared]

... did years ago some IP's on my own and with my company - no money earned, only costs

And with the actual situation -- the chinese 'cloners' will copy any interesting part regardless of IP's ...

So my advice - simply be faster and better than the competitors (or cloners)

Viktor

^^ Exactly the things I am afraid of.

Do I try to sell the patent to a large company already involved in the manufacture of similar items? My fear is the large company would make some small change and circumvent my original patent. "Sorry, were not interested" as they run to the engineering dept "hey guys how can we build one of these"...

Trying to build the product myself in an efficient manner would cost 100's of thousands in manufacturing, marketing etc.

Yes, I have designed quite a lot of electronic product that is in active production. No patents however.

This happens to be an audio product. Do you receive commissions on the sale of the devices you designed?

My good friend received this patent http://www.google.com/patents/US20090013852

However, he no longer works for the company and hasn't received income from it.

[Galvonaut]

I have 'invented' a few things in the past - and never had the skills or money to take them further. As above - it's all about getting it to market as soon as you can - and keep it secret until you are ready to do so. As soon as you have a patent it is public knowledge (afaik) so it will be copied.

Something that I have noticed is that coming up with a unique idea does not mean that someone else will not come up with the exact same idea in the future. Knowledge seems to be shared between people and across time - so something that I invented - built a proof-of-concept prototype and then shelved - was invented by another some 5 or 6 years later and taken to market.

Secrecy, speed, timing and planning along with a patent lawyer should do you well.

[lasersbee]

... did years ago some IP's on my own and with my company - no money earned, only costs

And with the actual situation -- the chinese 'cloners' will copy any interesting part regardless of IP's ...

So my advice - simply be faster and better than the competitors (or cloners)

Viktor

I agree with this 100%. (Been there... Done that)

@logsquared
If you have lots of spare $$$ for the patent and yearly upkeep and the $$$ to
go to court if someone infringes on your patent and you have a market to sell
a million of the "Project" then go for a patent.

Jerry

[daction]

I heard that in the future when we have a star trek type economy the currency will be ideas.
I wonder how that will pan out?

[Shadow]

Like a few have said, get a lawyer or a patent expert. They will tell you what to do. The thing with china is that just about everyone knows that they're the cheap quality option so you will still get customers that want quality and will avoid them. I think it's safe to say that competition is always a factor so don't stress about it.

[mixedgas]

I heard that in the future when we have a star trek type economy the currency will be ideas.
I wonder how that will pan out?

*

Ideas, concepts, technology disclosures, code fragments, and partially functional software are "free" and/or easily stolen because of the web. Implementing the idea, and taking it to usefulness, function, and production/marketing are not free by any means.
*

Patents only work if you 1. Have a lawyer, 2. Have money to implement the world-wide patent. (~6000$ US) 3. Have money to sue to enforce it. 4. Can wait for it to be approved. 5. Have money for the maint. fees. 6. Have a means to market or implement the patent. 7. Or if you are a patent troll, skip items 3-6.

*
I'm in the process of writing drafts for two patents for my academic employer. Four to Seven years from now, long after my contract is over, I might see a royalty payment.
*
Steve