Veronica

[Veronica]

A message to everyone.

Please do your homework when it comes to market research. There is a HUGE difference in market research and these invention marketing companies you see on t.v.

I suggest having an invention evaluation done as a simple, inexpensive first step, preferably using the PIES-XII Preliminary Innovation Evaluation System. The Innovation Institute is one organization that uses this system, and the fee is only $200 for the evaluation. It is a very thorough look at the pros and cons of your product and an excellent tool for planning further development and/or marketing strategies. It also can save you thousands of dollars and heartache if your product doesn’t show any substantial commercial potential. With a positive evaluation in hand, you can then do your homework and decide the logical next step for your own unique situation. You certainly wouldn’t want to spend many thousands of dollars on marketing research if your product receives a low score on the PIES-XII invention evaluation. Good Luck!!

[Veronica]

You have to file a provisional patent before filing for a utility patent, as I think I remeber that correctly. When you do file for your utility patent you have a time limit to file for the international. Imternationals are time dependant on how much you want to spend and for how long you need or want it. I didn’t get it because it was thousands for so many months. You have to be ready with your product sales before you get your utility, if you want a international, then renew it and renew it, I believe this is correct.

[Veronica]

Julian, Yes most inventors look for a problem to solve, but your right in that most needs are already met and many new mass market inventions address a want rather than a need. Louis Foreman points this out in many of his public speeches geared toward inventors so maybe he can chime in and better speak to this. Thanks for bringing this up as I know many inventors are fixated on definable problems.

[Veronica]

Hi.From what I understand, you can protect yourself for a year with a provisional patent application, which is pretty inexpensive (like a hundred bucks). That way you can list it as “patent pending” while you gather the necessary resources to get a patent. Good luck!

[Veronica]

Julian explained it really well, I just want to add one more thing known as Industrial design. An industrial design can be a shape, configuration, pattern, ornament or any combination of these features. You can also register your industrial design with your government organization.

[Veronica]

Thanks, I understand it now. But what is the difference between micro and small entity?

[Veronica]

Yes, as explained by Maia, it is best to first search the invention promoter on the USPTO website for complaints to not get scammed ahead.

[Veronica]

That is also my general feeling towards patents.

However, I would say it depends on the scale of the sector that the patent falls into. How well developed is the market? Is the patent easy to circumvent? Are there already similar patents that yours is essentially just one of the bypasses of?

It seems one of the best identifiers is how much competition there is. For example I know there are a lot of enforced patents in the snowmobiling sports industry which I feel is largely because there are really only 4 companies that have the specialty to develop products for the market. A good example of a patent that was very worthwhile: https://www.google.com/patents/US7213669. It changed the concept of the product and provided a benefit that was noticeable to the consumer. By having the patent they were able to gain market share and prevent competition from being able to replicate it for ~4-5 years.

If there is more competition it will take more enforcement and it is more likely that someone will find a way to by-pass your patent.

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