Hey Gang,
I believe I`ve come up with an original building product. I am wondering if any of you have ever gone through the process of product developement, i.e. patenting, marketing, industry presentation, etc. I`ve seen the ads for “Inventors wanted” and the like but I`m extremely leary of trusting strangers with my ideas. If any of you have any info along these lines I would be most apreciative.
Thanks for your time,
Jay
Replies
Jay...if it can be made out of plastic...I have a friend in the plastics business that would hear you out. His company makes the moulds...so he's only the contact man. He'll decide who could produce it....out of his contacts,
I've asked him about a few potential product ideas.....his advice always the same.....a patent really isn't worth the money...and really doesn't protect you if a large company really wants to steal your idea. And....as another friend that tried to do it himself found out....the inventor idea places just take your money.
email me if you want his email add......then go with your gut feeling.
Last idea I mentioned to him.....it would have required a new machine...he didn't want any part of the invention...said he'd just ne happy with the new machine contract if it ever went anywhere.
I talked to the guy he recommended...and we found out the idea wasn't so new! No money spent! No new idea.......guess someone else tried it......and it didn't sell. No harm/no foul. Jeff
* Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Don't show it to ANYONE until you are pretty sure you have all the bugs worked out. You can only apply for a U.S. patent on something less than 1 year old. If you think you have a valid idea, I'd advise talking to a patent attorney right away - maybe two or three different ones to get other opinions. They can best advise you on the legalities of the patent process.
If you do have something, you might be able to sell the patent, the idea, to one of the major building materials manufacturers instead of trying to produce and market it yourself - that's their business, manufacturing and marketing products.
Jim...according to my buddy.......the only one I'd trust for my own stuff........patents are useless.......and the only way you get something into production........is by showing it to someone!
Could be off base here.....but going with those in the know.
Had another firend dump about 15K into a product........patents and all......and got ripped off by one of those inventor idea places. In the end....lots money spent on something that will never see the light of day......but atleast he got the patent!
Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Jeff, so are you saying that your friend arranges the prototype and then through his contacts arranges the introduction to the appropriate manufacturer/marketer/distributor? Your advice is to work behind the scenes with these people, rather than going for the upfront legal protection? Aside from their good character, are there any protections against this guy and the companies he works with doing unscrupulous things with the invention, or are you always at the mercy of someone?
I'm saying to do what ever the hell ya want.
I'm also saying.....that according to a good and trusted friend of mine.......a guy that has been down this road a few times wearing different hats.....as in...he's made the machines for the new molds...he's been the inventor...and he's just helped give free advice on a subject that he knows........he's told me time and time again that patent or no patent.......if a big company wants your product/idea.....they'll get it.
As far as he's concerned.......the perceived protection is a false security. Being in the plastics industry.....he's seen it happen.
The way he's suggested to me........it's all based on trust. But.....with the odds stacked in the favor of the deeper pocketed big companies.......makes total sense to "trust" a small company.
Maybe I'm more inclined to trust a small manufacturer because I've met the guy he most recommends a bunch of times.
Lots to consider. Jeff
* Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Jeff - you said "Jim...according to my buddy.......the only one I'd trust for my own stuff........patents are useless......." yeah, I heard you the first time. I'm just giving another opinion to the original poster, from my own experience applying for a patent.
"...and the only way you get something into production........is by showing it to someone!" There are ways to legally protect your idea AND show it to potential manufacturers. But again, I am only speaking from personal experience here, and my advice to anyone who asked would be to find a patent attorney you're comfortable dealing with and pay them for their advice. It's not as simple as people might think and timing of each step is critical.
People do sell patents, every day. Some for a negotiated flat rate, some for royalties. Virtually any legitimate, large, manufacturing/marketing company has people on staff who's job it is to find these new products before the competition does.
Jeff, it was a straightforward question with no hidden intent. I wasn't being sarcastic or anything with the last sentence. I was truly asking if I correctly read and understood your advice.
When I've done something in the past, I kept it secret and did all my own development and own production and marketing. This slant on it is new to me and I am genuinely curious, and with a reason.
Jim,
>Virtually any legitimate, large, manufacturing/marketing company has people on staff who's job it is to find these new products before the competition does.
Do you think it's better to approach them or figure out a way to put your stuff out there and have them approach you? How do you get over the "now that I've seen your invention I'm not interested but we'll have a similar thing on the market in 6 months" syndrome?
Just trying to find my way through the minefield.
Guys.....I can only say again what I've explained in detail. If you want a contact to question......I can pass the info along.
CH...sorry for comming off as abrupt. Just tired of offering info and having an honest effort questioned. I can put U and others in contact with plastics companies if that's the direction U think the products should go.
All I can do is offer to pass along the names of those I think could help. Me personally...I'd check out the referals in as much detail as I could!
But....maybe my guy could help someone. Just email me.....I'm happy to be the middle man. Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Cloud, you said, "Do you think it's better to approach them or figure out a way to put your stuff out there and have them approach you? How do you get over the "now that I've seen your invention I'm not interested but we'll have a similar thing on the market in 6 months" syndrome?"
I honestly don't know the best way to go about it, Cloud, it probably depends on the viability of your invention. But we spent a lot of time and energy investigating and developing and test marketing, listening to end user feedback and making changes based on that feedback, only to miss certain deadlines that are crucial to the legal sequence required to apply for a patent. It's all exciting and very informative, but in the end, we would have been better off seeking advice from the start. I'm sure we just replicated the mistakes of many others, before us, and since.
I agree that just about any worthwhile design will be slightly altered and copied by others, especially if you don't get an International patent. And how much time and energy are you going to invest in suing to protect your patents is another tough question. If you could work out the bugs and get the necessary legal papers to show your idea to a reputable product development company, I would think you could then negotiate what you consider a fair price for your patent and let them take on all the development and protection expenses. But timing is critical. I always think of the phrase "the race to the patent office".
As far as "...figure out a way to put your stuff out there and have them approach you?" That didn't happen to us, so I don't know. But Several retail companies responded to our advertising and we now sell wholesale to a few. Seems like retailers are always looking for products to sell, more than manufacturers are looking for patents to buy. We did have two different companies ask for samples, discuss pricing at length, then start producing copycat products on their own. I called both and talked with them in my naieve way, asking first for a confirmation they were in fact stealing our idea, then asking them about the morality of that once they admitted to it. They both laughed me off and said they do that all the time and I should be talking to a lawyer if I didn't think it was "right". People will do all sorts of unscrupulous things in the name of "business". What are you gonna do.
jaybird.
. larry ( who posted above) has a couple of good tools that he's been thru the process with...his experience is pretty typical..
patent protection , financing, and loss of the original inventor's control are more typical problems that have to be overcome...you can spend a significant part of your life and fortune chasing a successful product introduction..
look at the ginsu knife.. nothing original there... not much to protect...but vastly successful
or Popiels Pocket fisherman....
and Sears is always settling with some poor schmuck they screwed.. what about the ones they don't settle with ?
Microsoft.. is based on software operating system ripoffs... now they spend billions on copyrite protectionMike Smith
Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike,
Thanks for mentioning I've been through the process of pantenting a product that is currently on the market nationally by a major manufacturer. I can only hope that Jaybird follows my advice.
Larry
Jaybird,
What ever you do these companies that are advertising to help you with your patent is not the answer. Please trust me on this, your best option is joining a inventors association in the local area.
Larry
Jaybird,
The reason I suggested joining a inventor association is because normally this is a good place to talk to people who have been through all different faces of this process. Probably less than 50 percent of the members actually hold a patent. This also a very good place to find investors and also finding places for making professional prototypes. Normally after going to several meetings you can determine which direction is best for your particular situation, from manufacturing to marketing of your idea to licensing agreements.
There are some real nightmare storys about people who've delt with patent marketing company, although there are some good one. But before investing any money with these companies definitely ask to see a reference clients list.
Larry