I have an idea that has been with me for some time...

[gward]

Hello All,

I would like to solicit some helpful suggestions from the board from those familiar with the process I will attempt to outline below:

I have a business stationery idea (it can also be used by college students, professors) that I would like to bring to market. I wouldn't be able to create the product myself. In addition - the issue of economies of scale makes it impractical.

I am not familiar with anyone here on this forum who may have a muse that is being physically manufactured by another company... that they have been able to use to create an Internet business.

Any ideas about the process (including patent options, legal issues etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

[kamakiri]

More details. I could pick out the obvious but I am not sure if it would be effective here.

[gward]

More details. I could pick out the obvious but I am not sure if it would be effective here.

I have developed on paper a business office stationery product that I would like to promote via the internet. It is similar to a post-it stick-on (it attaches to pages like a stick on). I also realize that I don't have adequate resources at hand to physically create the product, nor the deep pockets to market it in the fashion of a 3M or Walmart . It is a small product and can be sold in large quantities like post-its or manilla folders. Its proposed pricing per package of units can be comparable to the cost of a package of small folders or post-its.

I would like to ask for some suggestions in terms of the process (i.e. from possible patent avenues to manufacturer options (US or abroad) - to the kind of internet setup best suited to the marketing of a unique business office stationery product, including shipping options).

Testing suggestions would also be welcome. Thank you all for your suggestions - big and small

[Sven]

You cane have sticky notes printed quite easily. What would keep anyone from copying your idea?

A patent may work for the US market but I do not think that it would be applicable in Europe. Maybe a registered design could be of some value but I'm not very confident about this.

Have you found any suppliers where you could have these printed? At what cost? For how many?

[kamakiri]

You still haven't given enough detail. Have you googled your product? The stationary market is extremely well developed and the chances are extremely high that you product is already available somewhere. 3M is a huge company with thousands of lawyers on staff. You do not want to go up against them in any way shape or form, and that is what will happen if you make anything post it note related. They have the lock on that and any derivatives the teams of scientists can come up with.

Either way, having a successful product has nothing do do with a patent in most cases. Even patented products have a short useful life. Look at Teddy Ruxpin, Cabbage Patch kids or Ron Popiel. By focusing on the minute (a patent for a non existant product), and avoinding the overwealming obvious points (like knowing if your product will sell) you will only get thrown off track.

I also want to stress that online forums are the last place you should be looking for this kind of advice. The chances of anyone here being up to date on current patent law is slimmer than me winning a game of pick up sticks using only my butt cheaks. Any lawyer worth his salt will give you a free consultation.

Lastly, having a successful muse is not about the product. The reality is that the product only makes up about 10-20% of a muse. The important part is having the marketing, process, distribution, and manufacturing set up.

[webgal]

Keep in mind that patents protect you only sort of. When companies do a patent search and find there is one, they usually spend time figuring out how they can get around it.