Idea for a new product - patent, design and build help plz

[mattley23]

Hi all,

I have an idea for a new product for the building trade and am 100% sure there isnt one already in existance. I know exactly what application is it used for and have alot of knowledge in that specific area.

My man problem is the design and build of the idea. Has anyone here ever gone therough the process of designing and buiklding a new product who can give me advice on the following points:

1. When and how to patent the idea to stop others copying me
2. How can I get my idea from my head into a made [product

Cheers

Matt

[WelshPixels]

If it is really unique my advice is hire a good patent agent. If its worth protecting it's worth getting a professional to do it.

I tried patenting something for a company I worked for some time ago and it was a nightmare. It makes VAT look simple.

These patent agents will cover all the angles you wont even think of.

[Alpha]

As you are a Vile fan I shouldnt be answering this :D

but

Firstly get your idea patented.

There is a very knowledgeable member on these forums by the name of Crossguard and as a bonus he is from Bromsgrove so probably not too far away from you.


When you have the idea patented you can approach manufacturers with the idea, still get them to sign a non disclosure agreement before going into too much detail.

depending on what type of product it is within the construction industry I could but you in touch with some people.

[VeryMark]

Mattley,

We would be pleased to help - my partner Michael Croft is an expert in this area.

Call us if you would like a free initial consultation.

[jvbase]

Hi Matt,

If you're looking for an investor/mentor to help you through the design and production phase then let us know...or register your requirements on our web site. We have a database of people who may be interested in partnering with you to get your idea off the ground.

[caroline]

You probably already know this but don't forget you need a patent for every country you wish to protect it in. Europe is better than just the UK, although its very expensive.
Good luck!

[multilingual]

Just to look at this from a slightly different angle, do you know if there is an actual market for this product?

If it is not already on the market maybe there is no demand.

I don't want to pour any cold water on your ideas, but I have seen plenty of people over the years who have gone to the expense of building and patenting some wonderful ideas, only to find that no-one wants to buy them.

Without knowing what it is I can't comment any further, but just want you to be sure that you are aware of the business aspects of this and not get too carried away with the product itself.

:)

Best of luck with it anyway

jb

[CG Effect]

I could help creating a realistic 3d model of it if thats of any help.

[VeryMark]

You should not disclose your ideas or invention without getting a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreeement signed first, as otherwise you can invalidate any subsequent patent or registered design you apply for.

[Cornish Steve]

I hate to disagree with people on this, but patents are worth little to the small business owner (I know - we've had this discussion before, but I maintain my view on this). There is little value in owning a patent if you don't have the money available to enforce it and to defend it. Usually, this means hundreds of thousands of pounds. Entrepreneurs I have known simply run with their ideas until the competition catches up; this usually takes six to twelve months. They make their money, then they move on to the next idea.

For once, I am not alone in my thinking. My view is supported by a leading business writer in his latest book: Steve Gottry in Common Sense Business. Here is a quote from an early chapter:

If you have a good idea, you will be copied. Even if you are able to patent or trademark your innovation, others will attempt to compete. "But I have a patent/trademark," you argue. That may be true, but the reality is that it costs an enormous amount of money to defend your patent or trademark. These days, some companies don't even bother to file for patents, because by not doing so, proprietary information is kept out of the hands of competitors for a longer period of time - enough time to make enough money to move on the next big idea.

End of quote

On the other hand, Non-Disclosure Agreements cost nothing and are essential.

[Ozzy]

Hi Matt,
Soem useful information above, and I also share Steve's view on patents if you dont have the money to defend it.
I was going to patent my anti-fraud system I use on my formations system, but decided against it because by patenting it meant I had to disclose how I do it - but by keeping it secret gives me time to get a head start.

However, if you want a prototype building that is what my brother does. He makes prototypes for inventors, even cars and things like that! His name is Martin Gregory and works for Arrk Product Development Group, and can be contacted on 07970 873710.

[VeryMark]

I agree and disagree.

Yes, spending money on patents and other forms of intellectual property is only worth it if you are prepared to enforce that protection against infringers, and that costs money.

However, doing that needn't necessarily cost a fortune - if you act as if you'll stop at nothing to take action against an infringer, even if it means selling the dog and mortgaging the kids, and you have a legal practice with the right knowledge and attitude prepared to take on anybody on your behalf, most infringers will eventually back off and settle if they think it will be more painful and expensive for them ultimately if they don't.

.... And having the right protection in the first place acts as a deterrent in itself, makes your business more attractive to investors, and protects you against someone else registering your idea or name as theirs. It may also then be possible for Trading Standards to take action on your behalf.

The unfortunate fact is that some small businesses lose out because they communicate a nervous, hesitant, uncertain attitude that a few unscrupulous people deliberately take advantage of - and I don't just mean in this area.

But, yes, there are cases where patenting is less cost effective than keeping your invention secret (if that is possible).

On the other hand, you should always protect your identity by trade mark registration - it's not only relatively cheap but the chances of someone else coming up with the same name by accident are not insignificant.

We had one client who spent eight years building up a business in a name that belonged to someone else who had registered it - and they had to put up with losing business because of the confusion that later resulted. We are also acting at the moment for another client who is being forced to change their product name a few weeks before a major exhibition.

[Steve Roberts]

I recently did a deal for someone who had innvented a particular bathlift for the elderly - but he had limited resources. In essence, this was the deal:

We located an appropriate national manufacturer /distributor with a verbal proposal.
We asked them to sign a NDA.
We did some detailed business models, showing potential profitability.
As part of the deal the partner organised the patents.
We then sold them "the exclusive rights to manufacture and market the product".
The partner committed to certain measurable sales activities and a minimum sales level.
The inventor earned 5% royalties on all products.
The inventor has committed to designing the next version, of which the partner will have the rights to make/sell.

The advantages of the above are:

We never sold the IPR, but just the rights to make and sell.
The inventor got a lump of cash on completion.
We didn't have to faff about with patents - the (large) partner did it.
It gives an ongoing revenue stream.
Equally, the partner gets 95% of the revenue and hasn't had to fork out for R&D.

[mattley23]

Thamks for your input guys. I will be in contact with 1 or 2 of you in the new year if thats ok.

Cheers
Matt