Mick

[mick scott]

Gday all,
I've got a product idea which I want to test market. Its a variation on an existing product which greatly improves the strength of the product over existing products. I think it will appeal to a sector of the market which needs the product to be stronger. It would be very easy for existing manufacturers/distributors to copy and manufacture it. I'm worried if I test market the product it will be copied by these companies. I am based in Australia and the product would have an international market so I guess I would need inetrnational patents? If anyone has any advice or knows where to get it I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Mick

[Sven]

Welcome to the forum Mick.

First tips:
Do a search on this forum regarding patents.
If that does not help, be more specific here. Answering the question as you have posted it now takes way too long!

[mick scott]

Thanks Sven,
I have done a bit of browsing and have some more specific questions
1) Does a patent in one country stop people copying your idea in other countries
2)Even though it seems a patent may not stop your idea being copied do you think patents generally discourage copyng.
Cheers Mick

[Sven]

You apply for a patent in a country or sometimes "region". If you apply for a patent in the US only then there is no legal protection from anyone copying you product and selling it in other countries. But sometimes it is inpractical to copy for, lets say, just Canada.

And keep in mind that a patent is about stuf that can be produced using industrial techniques. In the US software can be patented but this does not aply in the EU. (I have a bit od difficulty explaining this in English) Ideas CAN NOT BE PATENTED if they can not be manufactured.

A patent will only stop copying if the opponent thinks that you will beat him in court and his profit will be lower that the cost. For this you will need a lot of money backing you...

[mick scott]

Thanks Sven,
Sounds like provisional patents may be the way to go as I wont have the financial resources to go to court
Mick