Patent Triage

Wacky Patents

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:52:50 +0000

People may try and patent just about anything that they feel would make a great or unique idea. Typically the inventor does not poll people to see what their opinion is on what they are trying to get a patent on. They do not test out their ideas on the public. Many do not even try to do an initial mock up or prototype design on what it is they are trying to get a patent on. They just assume that because they feel it is a good idea that the only thing they need to do is go forward with their application.

Wacky patents are out there, that is for sure. If you think that you have an outlandish and unique idea, you may want to do a patent search to make sure someone has not already filed for that idea or something similar. You may find yourself a little surprised to see all of the inventions that are out there. It also does not mean that just because you have a unique or crazy idea that it will not fly. Ideas like this are put to the test every year. So have fun inventing and trying to come up with something truly unique.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:45:29 +0000

So where do most ideas come from? Well, there probably is no one place as ideas can spring up even in some of the oddest places. Some of the greatest inventions out there have come from other failed ideas, for example. It is said that the person that invented post it notes came up with the idea from trying to invent some sort of industrial strength glue. Apparently some got on some paper, obviously it did not work well, but the rest of the story became history.

So you just never know where you may be or what you may be doing when a great idea for something hits you. What ends up happening in the end could become another part of great inventions history.

Inventions Gone Wrong

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:42:28 +0000

I am sure among even the world’s greatest inventors that they too have had their not so great moments. It has been said that failure at something can be a key to success at something else later. With an invention this can certainly be true. Imagine trying to invent a light bulb only to see it fails tons of times. Well that happened to Edison. But keep in mind that even though he failed several times, from those failures came ways to improve on his final design and keep the product from failing again.

So when an invention goes wrong, it will be up to you on whether or not you continue with it. There could be some cases when it is best to pitch the idea or it can also be best at times to keep on trying.

-Happy inventing out there.

Patent Mistakes

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:00:07 +0000

Mistakes are often made during the process of trying to get a patent. One mistake example, now this would be the biggest, is filing for a patent on a product or design that technically already exists. If the good people at the US Patent Office are doing their job, they will catch this immediately and deny the application. You must do your homework and search out whether or not your design already exists. Even if there is something similar, you must make sure that your description of your product sounds completely different.

Another mistake people make is filing for something that technically does not work. Typically people do not file at this point, rather end up realizing their great idea just does not hold water. To avoid mistakes, there are some things you may want to do. You can hire a professional to handle much of the process, but this will cost a pretty penny. You want to always make sure you research everything carefully. See what products on the market look and seem like yours. Most important of all, take your time; do not be in a rush when you complete all the steps needed to get the patent.

Small Inventions

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:47:14 +0000

Are there really any small inventions out there? Whether an invention has sold millions and is found in most homes like the TV or it is as simple as a thumb tack, an invention is, well just that, an invention. Inventions can be great for many purposes. Many of us might love the fact that boots have a boot strap making them easier to get off. Others may love boot kicks that can help you take your boots off without the straps. Either way, if one of these were not invented, imagine the disappointment you may have having to do without one.

So there probably are no small inventions, whether a few people use them one or millions do, that invention is making someone happy.

Doing It From Scratch

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:01:39 +0000

Have you ever started off with a thought or something that has passed through your mind on how you could make something? Some of the world’s most amazing creations have come from the minds of people like you. Talk about starting something from scratch. How amazing would it be to then take that passing thought and put it down on paper? From there you write down more information, maybe make some sketches, and then even consider building a prototype. Then you finally decide to get a patent and try to market your new product.

All of this started from scratch. It’s your thought, your idea that could be turned into a viable product right before your eyes. Now how fulfilling might something like that be?

What Am I Doing?

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:22:04 +0000

Have you ever had that sinking feeling that you may be venturing out into shark infested waters? Well not necessarily literally, but in terms of that sink or swim mentality of taking on a task that is above your skill set. Certainly filing for a patent can be done by anyone. It does not mean that it should be attempted by anyone, nor does it mean that you are not as smart as the others that have attempted and succeeded in the past. It just means that your skills may be in one area and not in another. You would not expect a heart surgeon to do your brain surgery would you? Both of them are equally as smart but at different tasks. The same goes for your patent filing. If you feel that you are not ready to do the application on your own, you should consider some help. It does not have to be from a more costly attorney, but it can be from some friends or family. Starting there first may save you some money. At the same time you want to make sure that you do it the right way the first time though. So, do your research, try if you want, but if you do not feel you can, then get some help. It may be well worth it in the long run.

Does It Take A Genius?

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:11:33 +0000

Does it take a genius to invent something? It can certainly help depending on what it is you want to invent, but if you look around you and do some research you will find people of all ages, race and gender have had great inventions. Many people in the world sometimes feel that they do not have what it takes to go above and beyond when it comes to taking an idea and running with it. They may often think that their ideas will not work out or it will be difficult for them to develop them past what is in their head.

No matter what, ultimately it is up to you as to how far you take an idea, but remember that many people in the world of all types have invented things.

Successful Partnerships

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:27:34 +0000

If you spend too much time online, you will end up finding tons of horror stories of people that have been burned by a partner of some sort. There are certainly more of these stories then there are successful ones. It seems people head to the web to complain rather than give a praise report on something. But there are in fact plenty of successful partnerships in the business world today.

A fun fact -many people do not know that Harley Davidson is one of them. The two friends started building motorcycles in a beat up old shed.

So when it is time to consider whether or not you will take on a partner, consider reviewing the facts carefully. You could take into consideration how long you have known that person. What is their work ethic? Sometimes the problem with partnerships is that people can tend to rush into them with people they do not really know. So be careful and do not give up all hope in a partnership based on what you read. You just never know what adding one more person to your project could do for the success of your idea or invention.

Inventing: A Family Affair

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:39:09 +0000

Have you ever had an idea and just sat on it, never doing anything about it? Maybe you are too busy or already work too much. I mean sometimes you may have to give things up to make sure you are spending plenty of time with the family. Within lots of families there can be struggles finding balance between the parents working, kids activities, etc. But what would happen if an idea became the passion of a family to see it through. There have been some great stories out there of some inventors making their inventions something that the whole family can partake in. They have found it can be a good way to make sure the family is spending quality and productive time together.

So if you are looking to spend more time with the family, maybe a sit down together dinner will do, or a game night, or maybe having the family invent together. The choices are numerous as to what you could do. No matter what though, try and have fun doing it.

Clarity and Your Patent Application

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:46:58 +0000

Clarity can mean everything when it comes to filling out your patent application. If you are a newbie and are considering filling out an application for a patent on an idea or an invention that you have, you must take great care in filling it out. One thing that may really help you is to study up on how to ensure that your application is filled in properly. There are plenty of free resources on the web that can offer some sort of help on how to fill out your patent forms. You can even check out the US Patent Office for more information in this area as well.

Another good idea is to study up on patents that have been approved that are similar in nature to yours. It will give you a good idea as to how they did their invention descriptions and drawings. And if you really must, there are professionals out there that can help. Keep in mind that these services can really cost you a bundle. So you must decide for yourself if it is worth it or not to pay for such a thing. Either way, you should be sure to be careful and take great care.

Patent Filing Tougher

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:00:20 +0000

So why over the years has filing a patent gotten much tougher? There are several basic factors that have added to this issue. For one, consider how many years the patent system has been in place. Then compound that with the number of applications it receives. Throw in the fact that they say their employees are overworked and behind. This ends up leaving you with a huge back log of applications and at least a 3 year wait for approvals.

Next, take all of those years, compounded with tons of people added to the world’s population, and then you end up finding yourself with more and more people wanting to get some sort of patent on something.

Basically what you have is a system overload. Inventors are not just businesses; they are just average people like you and me at times with a good idea and a desire to see their invention make it to market with a patent seal on it. The system overload should not deter you from pressing on with your ideas though. It should however make you very aware that this process is slow and time consuming.

Ripe Industries

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:22:22 +0000

When you want to come up with an idea or an invention to bring in some income or to start a business off of, it may be a wise idea to really research an industry that has some room to grow. Looking on the net or just reading the daily news may end up giving you some hints into some industries looking for new inventions. Energy efficiency may be a good place depending on your areas of expertise. Whether it is coming up with a way to cut energy costs in the home by using a new type of insulation, or a new solar power, the choices are certainly there.

It can take quite a bit of work and effort to come full circle with an idea and see it through to the patent and production stage. But if you do accomplish such a feat, it can be very rewarding.

Dusting Off That Idea Dusting Off That Idea

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:48:31 +0000

Did you come up with the best idea or invention years ago and failed to see it come to reality. Now may be a great time to dust it off and consider trying to bring it to market. Old ideas and inventions could be a valuable thing depending on of course how good your product is. Consider What it is that you may have shelved. Do you really think that this idea has a chance to be some thing more?

If you are tight on money then you may consider working on the project as much as you can on your own. Hiring various professionals from different professions can end up costing you a bundle. Once you think you have the idea ready for a solid prototype, this may be the stage that you end up needing some money to see it through. And don’t forget it also costs to file for a patent.

So take it easy, pull out your old design books and prints and see if you can do something with these ideas you have stashed away. You never know if you are sitting on a big one.

A Bomb Of An Idea

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:47:14 +0000

The idea bomb is not an idea that hits you out of nowhere. It is an idea that literally at some point during the process of realizing it blows up into oblivion. It can be tough being an inventor. You can spend so much time on an idea, even years on it. But what happens when you realize that the idea you have while trying to make it a viable product, blows up in your face? Well, some people give up. Some people may keep trying to fumble around with this idea to keep it going and going although it is dead. Others pick up the pieces, try and reinvent what they set out to create or come up with a totally new idea.

Don’t be afraid if one of your ideas does not work out. I can happen to everyone, you just have to decide whether you want to continue on or not.

The Rules Competition

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:00:30 +0000

Have you ever noticed that now with the advent of the internet, the rules of businesses competing with one another have changed dramatically? Content theft on the internet is an every day thing, something that many businesses have found themselves struggling to deal with. It is tough also because many people can hide on the internet from who they really are.

That is why many internet companies go after a patent or a copyright on much of their information as often as possible. From the product they offer to the programming that runs their website and system, these organizations are tired of people easily waltzing in and taking what was rightly theirs.

But it is tough to patent an idea sometimes. Judges are finding it very odd for people to come into their courts with their programming styles allegedly taken and for them to win a suit against someone for it. So if you want to protect yourself on the internet, then study up on what it is that you can do to be protected. There are some simple things that you can do and some more costly approaches as well. Just be careful and on the lookout.

Inventing In A Dead Industry

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:00:17 +0000

Maybe there is really no dead industry in a sense; you just never know what idea may take off and what ideas may not take off. It can be tough to decide what industry you want to invent something in. Sure, it may be great to invent something in a new and upcoming industry. Who would not want to do that? But sometimes you may find life where there has not been some in a long time.

If your idea works to you, no matter what market it is in, you have to then decide whether or not you want to move forward with it. Maybe you can bring a dead market back to life.

Working With Others – Part 2

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:29:14 +0000

Once you have the roles and the leader chosen, then it seems like it will be time to get to work. Now it also may be wise to make sure you have people in the roles that best fit their strengths. It may not be wise to hand over the finances to someone that cannot even manage their own checking account. Of course if there are very few people on the project, you just have to do the best you can.

Finally, define the details for working on the project. The key here to many is to make sure everyone keeps up with their deadlines and dedicates the amount of time they should to the project. You don’t want someone working on something hard to only have the others slack off.

In the end try and get along and have fun. Make sure that you respect each others ideas and time.

A Big Patent

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:59:52 +0000

A patent is really just a patent. What we mean is that no matter what you are trying to patent, whether it is a salt shaker or a new plane engine, the application process is basically the same. The key in getting a patent usually is up to you. Do you have an original design or product? It must be or it is very unlikely to pass through the patent office with an approval.

So if you want to patent something simple, you may end up being able to do this on your own. The need to hire someone to fill out your application to submit it may be very unnecessary. But it may be wise to have someone proofread it and look it over. Now if you are looking to patent something large and complex, some help may be in order. Keep in mind that patent law firms may charge a pretty penny to help you though.

In the end, no matter how large or small, does your new invention have what it takes to get an approval? Don’t be in too big of a hurry to find out, the waiting period for new approvals can take a few years.

Inventors Block

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:08:19 +0000

Whether you are in the middle of a project or starting a new one, what happens when you just hit a brick wall with your creativity? It can be really tough and sometimes every hard to deal with for some. Usually people tend to have high expectations of themselves. When this happens there can be a few ways to try and remedy it. One way is to just step away from the project for a period of time and then come back. This can be a great way to clear your mind and kind of start all over mentally. The next thing to do is get over it. Sometimes you just have to try and fight through some of the issues you are dealing with. Some may take time, others may not. You may be surprised how quickly you can work through your issues.

Changing Designs

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:30:19 +0000

When you are shooting for a patent on what you feel is a good product, patience can be a tough thing to have at times. Let’s say that you have a design for a product. You even feel that it works based on some sketches and crude test runs. But what happens when you have to have it manufactured. Just because you are keen on the way it is designed does not mean that it will be an easy thing to pull off. Designing a product is one thing, but trying to get something manufactured may not be easy and could prove to be a headache. In some cases people have scrapped an entire project just because it would cost way too much to produce. Sure, maybe these were good ideas, but if there is no market for it at a higher price, then you must consider other options.

Another option can also be to head back to the drawing board. This can be difficult, yet the manufacturer may have some suggestions for you as to how to make it cheaper and easier to produce. The key is, do not give up, or in some cases know when to give up.

Patent Problems…

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:04:00 +0000

There can be many issues when dealing with a patent. First, your invention or idea may never see the light of day due to the fact that it just does not work. But if you do somehow manage to get things working, then you now have to be ready to fill out the lengthy patent application. If you are then in a hurry to get your product approved and to market only after the patent is approved, you may need to wait several years for it to be approved. Then it can come back denied. This can be for many reasons. It may have been denied due to the fact that someone has already filed for the same thing or something very similar. If this is the case, you may then need to do some digging on your own and see what happened. Also, consider that you may end up needing professional help to get you where you want to be. All in all this can be a difficult thing to manage if you are a rookie. So brush up on being patient and enjoy the ride, it could get bumpy.

Patents And The Internet

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:23:08 +0000

The internet can be a great place to do research chat with other inventors, or just browse while looking for your next and latest great invention. This can have some pros and cons to it though. The cons may be that you never know who you are chatting with. The person on the end of the PC line may be a thief or an imposter. Next, what if the info you are reading is inaccurate.

It can be good though to search out things like your next idea. You may be able to quickly determine if your idea is new or if someone else has already filed a patent on it or not. The US government has a good patent website. This can be a good place to browse to help you better understand the patent process. No matter what, like anything, take great care in what you do.

Celebrity Endorsements

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:47:12 +0000

Let’s just say that you created a new product and are ready to market it to the public. You feel that this idea is the latest and greatest thing to hit the world’s market and you are pumped to put it out there. Marketing can certainly be a very tricky thing. One thing that people will try and do is to get a celebrity endorsement. An endorsement like this could really cost you but in the end may be worth it. You just never know. But people do try to get one in hopes that having a popular face on their product will help them to sell what it is they are trying to get out there.

Finding one could be hard, you will probably need to find the star’s agent and then start negotiations if they are willing. Good Luck!

Patent Application: Timing

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:27:45 +0000

If you are in a hurry to get your patent application approved, well sit back and relax, because as of right now it can take nearly 3 years to approve it. That is right, 3 years. That is why so many products make it to market with the words patent pending on them. Companies have no desire to wait until the patent they are trying for is or is not approved. The US Patent Office though is hoping to institute a new system that will allow certain applicants a quicker review of what they submit. Of course they will have to pay more, though how much nobody has said. Companies that are going after green energy patents or something of that nature are being targeted for faster approvals. So as it looks now, not everyone will be able to get their patent in quicker. Most of us as it stands will have to wait the 3 years. So do not be discouraged, you are not the only one that has to wait. But keep posted on any new news coming out of the US Patent Office, it may bode well in the end for everyone.

Creative Marketing On Inventions

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:13:26 +0000

It can take a very creative person to first come up with an invention. Think about it, this person pumped out something new that really nobody else ever has. But what happens when you head out to market with your product and try to sell it. There are tons of options. You probably will need to do quite a bit of research to see what options you feel would be best for you. Will you do a website, a blog, or get an endorser with a big name? There could be TV spots, radio, or ads in print media.

The choices can be endless. You can even hire a company to do it for you. In the end it may take lots of research and lots of work before you end up deciding.

Setting A Budget

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:08:08 +0000

When you invent, you know that sometimes costs can hit you out of nowhere. Setting a budget no matter what you venture into can be a really great idea. Setting a budget will help you to keep your costs at a minimum by helping you stick to your original plan and not wavering. It can also help you to make more cost effective choices when you must decide whether or not to buy a more expensive item or a less expensive one.

Realistically, when inventing it can be tough to keep to the budget you set. But if you at least try you may end up being surprised at how much it can help you to not overspend.

You Have A Patent, Now What?

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:02:52 +0000

Wow, so you finally got your patent on your idea. This is an amazing feat. Some people try and try and never get one. So what do you do next? Well, that is really up to you, truthfully. Some ideas might be that you could do nothing and sit on the idea for some time. You could have it manufactured, marketed and try to sell it. You can also try and sell you patented idea to someone as well.

There are so many options and the bottom line it is up to you. One thing is for sure is that you have certainly cleared a major hurdle in getting the patent, way to go.

Patent Issues…

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:40:39 +0000

Every part of the patent process can be tough. First of all, let’s take the idea process. Getting your idea to paper ready for some sort of manufacturing can be difficult. You may have to draw it tons of times, and through much trial and error build some sort of a prototype to make sure that what you think will work does. Sometimes these ideas, when we try and turn them into a viable prototype, can be costly as well. Prototype parts manufactured by companies can cost a pretty penny. Dies and molds may sometimes have to be specially built in order to produce the product.

The next part, the prototype portion can be even tougher than the first. It can take plenty of tries to get what you envision just right. Even then you may not end up with a perfectly working product. You may have to find some professional help.

Then filing for the patent is not easy at times either. You have to really word things just right in order to get you application approved. This can take some time and money if you look for professional help.

Working With Others – Part 1

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:49:53 +0000

Let’s just say that you are going for a patent on an idea you have. But you have decided for one reason or another that you will work as partners with one or more persons. This can be really difficult if you have not been down this path before. Here could be some helpful hints to the otherwise newbie here.

One thing to do is define roles. Some roles may be bigger than others. That should be fine as we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Then try and consider getting a leader on the project. No, it does not have to be a dictatorship, but just someone who will keep more track of the progress than anyone else.

What is the Cost?

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:54:10 +0000

What in the world does it cost to file a patent? Well for starters, it will cost a few hundred dollars to apply. You will want to check this out at the US Patent office, it may change each year. But what about the hidden costs of filing for a patent? It can cost quite a bit, for example, to hire an attorney that specializes in patent laws to help you out. These costs can vary depending on how much you use their services or not. It can also cost to invent what it is you are trying to get a patent for. For example, you may want to make sure what you are inventing works prior to filing a patent for it. If you do this, then the cost can really go up fabricating what it is you want. Now manufacturing it once you have your patent will not cost nearly as much as the first run. Tools, dies and so forth may have to be specially made for you to make your product. So do you have an idea worth getting a patent for? If so, then you need to weigh all of the costs of trying to bring it to market. If you do not, you may end up with sticker shock on the actual cost of patenting your idea.

The Old Pen And Paper

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:54:26 +0000

There are so many amazing tools out there that can help an inventor to produce his idea into a viable working product. You have PC scanners, Auto CAD, Corel Draw and other amazing tools to help you design your product and to help keep track of changes. But what did people do back in the dark ages before PC’s? They probably used to use a pen and pieces of paper. That’s right; remember when you used to actually right down what it was you were doing on paper? No, it is not the same as penning it down into your Palm device; we are actually talking about pen and paper.

It can be great to use for scratching down your ideas and jotting down notes for later use. Go ahead, if it has been awhile for you, try it!

Having Something Built

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:37:34 +0000

Sure you may be a great inventor, but you are not a mastermind at everything. At some point in your process of inventing something, you may get to the place where you need help having a part or parts made. These are usually called prototypes. Prototypes are parts that basically are first production sets. They may be a bit crude looking but essentially will still fit into place and do the job for testing purposes.

You may need a plastics extrusion facility to do some work, or perhaps a sheet metal shop to press something out for you. Either way, this may be a necessary part of your invention. Keep in mind that sometimes it is hard for you to do everything yourself.

The Prototype

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:48:11 +0000

So what in the world is a prototype part? A prototype part is usually a part that is made for the first time to be fitted or used in your invention. It will more than likely not be perfected as far as the look, shine or have the polished look you will want the end parts to have. But it can be a vital tool in helping you to test its fit and function into the end product.

Machine shops or companies that specialize in these types of builds are truly very resourceful when it comes to getting them done. They can cost quite a bit at times to make. Sometimes special molds or parts will have to be made in order to make your product. Try and keep some of this in mind the next time you’re ready to produce something.

Patent Partners

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:08:20 +0000

Have you ever thought of becoming partners with someone and filing a patent together? This can be a great idea, and for some a not so great idea. The good part of it can be in splitting costs. The costs of filing a patent and getting your product to that point can end up pretty high depending on a few factors. For example, hiring an attorney can cost you quite a bit of money. Also, if you end up having to file more than once, this can cost you. Getting your product ready to be patent worthy can cost as well.

The bad idea of having a partner can be disagreements on how to proceed once you get the patent. It can cost you much more money to produce and market the product. If you do decide a partnership is best for you, then you may consider making sure you both are on the same page with how you will proceed. This can end up saving you tons of headaches as you move forward. So no matter what, tread carefully. Examine as much of the process and your potential needs before you sign an agreement to partner with someone.

Patent Positives

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:20:36 +0000

Getting a patent can be a good thing to do at times. One example of a way that it can be good is that it can help to protect your idea from duplication for a period of time depending on the terms of your patent. It can help to make your product more marketable. By having a lock so to speak on the design, it may help to bring potential buyers to the table with more interest in having what it is that you have.

These are just a couple of the positive things that may happen if you get a patent. Certainly every person’s experience will be different. Ultimately if you want one, the choice is up to you.

Rushing In

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:51:26 +0000

In life we all tend to have moments in our lives when we rush head first into something without really looking around first to see what is going on. Inventions can be one of those areas that can be a trap for some of us. Let’s say you end up with a great idea, and are able to turn it into an invention. You think now that this idea is so amazing that you rush out and hire someone to get it patented for you. So what is wrong with doing that? Well, for some maybe nothing at all. For others it can cost them thousands of dollars and they may not get the patent they wanted. Also, did you bother to see if someone had already filed for a similar idea? Always search ideas/patents first if you can to make sure what you think you have invented is not already out there. You also must decide how you will market your idea once it is patented. This can be difficult and very costly. So try and slow down if you can. Make a list of things you need to do prior to and after you file for a patent. It could really save you in the long run.