Found the muse, thought up my product.. but now??

[AndrewE99]

Hey guys,

I need a little advice (again! ha ha!) So i've found my muse. I dont know how much i can discuss it here because i havnt got a patent on it yet. I guess this forum would be considered "public domain", right?

Anyway, i've got a rough idea of my product. I want to set up a site and get it up there to test the muse. Preferably a CAD drawing would be best so i dont have to spend money actually producing it. However, the problem is that im not sure if my design is what the final product will actually look like. Im hoping some sort of designer will be able to 'fix the design so it actually works'.

Should i spend money on having a designer actually create it, sort of like a prototype? or have a CAD create a depiction of my version and test that? even though the 2 may look completely different?

Ideas

Andrew

[Sven]

Well, as a designer/inventor I'd be happy to take your cash and fix it for you ;-)

But the main thing is

GET STARTED! I don't care how, just DO! Draw it yourself using google scetchup (not sure if that is spelled correctly) or alibre. Both have free versions.

Or make models from clay, wood, foam, or whatever, just get it out of your head and in to reality! (Digital is a reality too)

Good luck!

[UnlikelyNinja]

Hey guys,

I need a little advice (again! ha ha!) So i've found my muse. I dont know how much i can discuss it here because i havnt got a patent on it yet. I guess this forum would be considered "public domain", right?

Yes, but you have twelve months to file for a patent after public disclosure. If you do diclose it, don't dawdle, because if you screw up the initial filing, getting everything right is an enormous pain in the ass and dangerously time-consuming.

[CashCache]

I just finished something similar with no prior experience. I "invented" a product, had the CAD done and a full prototype. I am now having it manufactured from the final CAD. The other poster is exactly right, don't wait or over think it. Get started and keep going. You will run into bumps, but that is part of the fun (at least that is what I keep telling myself).

I thought my prototype would be an easy thing. I would just whip up a quick drawing and hire a mechanical engineer to make it all work. Not the case... After 4 functional prototypes and numerous CAD revisions, I now have what I am producing in quantity. However, I have found that, depending on your product, you need to have these failed prototype stages to find what works the best.

Good luck, and get started now. Do something about it today!

[Sven]

Yes, but you have twelve months to file for a patent after public disclosure. If you do diclose it, don't dawdle, because if you screw up the initial filing, getting everything right is an enormous pain in the ass and dangerously time-consuming.

If you say that you can publish it and then file for a patent, you are wrong.

Well, you can FILE for it and get it granted but it is of no value whatsoever.

If you publish it before the patent is applied for it is in the public domain. You can no longer claim it is yours to protect, even if the patent is applied for and granted!

[angelmask]

If you publish it before the patent is applied for it is in the public domain. You can no longer claim it is yours to protect, even if the patent is applied for and granted!

I guess this forum would be considered "public domain", right?


This is a mis-use of the phrase "public-domain," which has a specific legal meaning...

And I think that Sven's statement here is incorrect.

Whether he is or is not correct, I would just like to point out that a message board is not the place to conduct legal research. Contact a good IP lawyer.

If you don't know any, I'd call these guys:
http://revolvethis.com/

[UnlikelyNinja]

If you say that you can publish it and then file for a patent, you are wrong.

Well, you can FILE for it and get it granted but it is of no value whatsoever.

If you publish it before the patent is applied for it is in the public domain. You can no longer claim it is yours to protect, even if the patent is applied for and granted!

You know, this may be a difference between the European system(s) and the American system. I forget that America isn't the Internet sometimes.

You certainly can disclose, then file, under the American system. The patent will be as good as any other. 35 USC 102 outlines it.

[AndrewE99]

OK - guys thanks for all the info! These msg boards are great.

So i guess as my idea isnt really around yet, im going to have to spend cash on producing the prototype to make sure it actaully works. Dispite Tim Ferris's advice of not spending to much before the testing phase. Oh well here goes!

Hopefully in the next week or two you guys will be able to see my sight up and running! Fingers crossed!

Its time to get to production - Sven, i may need your help here? Email me at andrew.ellis85@hotmail.com so we can discuss prices etc.

Peace,

A

[FreedomFinder]

http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/do-it-now.htm This will Help.

Ready-Fire-Aim.

[Sven]

Ah, indeed there may be a difference in publishing before the patent is applied for in the US and the rest of the world. Put if you can apply for a us patent after first having the product publishes it is likely that a European patent is void even if it is granted. That is because under eu law it is in public domain at the moment of application.

So if you want world wide protection, do not publish before the patent is applied for!