Anyone file for a Patent recently?

[TimmyJay]

Looking into filing and wondering if an attorney is really worth it?

No this is not Paintball related and no I will not disclose any info etc.

Thanks

[wetwrks]

You can get a lawyer, file for a patent, get the rights. It will cost a fair amount of $...look into 10K range if everything I hear is correct.

Others can then make 1 very minor change and put your item out on the market and there isn't much you can do. Sure you can take them to court...again lots of $ and you *might* get the court to agree with you...and they can make another minor change and be right back in business.

Also keep in mind...China gets their hands on one and they will go into full scale production and there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING you can do.

Not saying it isn't worth it...it may or may not...but either way you will need a good amount of money.

[TimmyJay]

Thanks. I know it isn't cheap, but it seems like doing as much online by myself would make it cheap enough.

I guess I can interview with a few attorney's and go from there. If I can get a fixed fee that I can stomach... we'll see

[dboggs79]

It can be worth it if what you have in mind is specific enough. Example: I was in the Air Force, saw an opportunity for a tool that would be specifically for one aircraft. I was able to design the tool, submit it to the powers that be, or atleast was at the time. They then gave me an offer for the rights pre-patent. Basically, the money they offered me was what I would have been able to make after the cost of patenting. So of you have some that is designed for a really specific and narrow use it could possibly be worth it.

[p8ntbal4me]

You should pre-file for a patent to lock your idea down with a number with the office so that if someone tries to take the idea and patent it,... you filed it on record with the Patent Office.

That costs $80-500 depending on specifics you decide in the application.

I know you can get costly on the patent process if you have an attorney do the work for you,.. but like I said,.. they do the work.

If you do all the paper work yourself and meet with an attorney for advice,.. you pay only for their time used,.. not their time total.

This can cut the cost by 50% or more,.....

[TimmyJay]

Yeah, I don't need to pay an attorney to do the paperwork, just review it. Thanks for the advice. I just need to file and then consult an attorney. My fear is that I will make the patent to specific and not provide enough protection.

I plan to file for a provisional Patent and go from there. However, I need to trademark the name as well. That seems like an easier process.

[p8ntbal4me]

Patents arent general,.. they are specific.

Have you even looked at some of the difference in JUST the paintball ones ? (i know you said it wasnt for paintball)

Look at the ones for the PVI shocker and the Shocker 4x4.
Slight differences but complete over haul for a patent.

ANother one is the cone drive for the hoppers that provide true force feed,... there are A LOT of general changes.

Patents are VERY specific,.... you dont want general. General patents are most likely to have someone come along and re-engineer your idea, change the logic of it and conceptual design,.. then grant a new patent.

I think if you speak with someone about this they will confirm my suggestion to you as the direction to head. My attorney isnt a patent lawyer, but his partner is. This was the advice I was given by them.

Good Luck!!!

Yeah, I don't need to pay an attorney to do the paperwork, just review it. Thanks for the advice. I just need to file and then consult an attorney. My fear is that I will make the patent to specific and not provide enough protection.

I plan to file for a provisional Patent and go from there. However, I need to trademark the name as well. That seems like an easier process.