Anyone have experience with inventions/patents

[Kimba]

I am working on idea that I think would be useful for stringed instruments.

I have ordered the raw materials and will be working on a prototype.

Does anyone have any idea of how to go about what the next step should be?

I have downloaded some info from http://inventionhome.com/free-invent...ampaign=search


From what I read, a patent can initially cost between 10,000-20,000 for start up and patent research.

Is this necessary or is there another way to protect the idea?

Has anyone else been through the process.

[xXWildPonyXx]

yes,

send me a detailed picture showing the invention, a detailed written description, a copy of the product, and anything else that might help me get the patent. i mean help you get the patent..



only kidding but you have me curious is it guitar related? or any string instrument? maybe once you get it patented reveil it to us. if its going to help with my guitar playing or care for my guitars i would like to know :-)

[Kimba]

More for classical stringed instruments.

I am designing it for cello but it can be easily adapted for violin, viola and bass. Plus it can also be modified to fit the different sized instrument.

For instance, the cello comes in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 4/4 sizes. If this works, it can made for each instrument in all the sizes.

It may be able to be used for guitar, I have to check out a guitar to see if it will be of use.

If this comes to fruition, I will let everyone know.

[Azzy]

Hire a patent lawyer, and you can save a lot of money by reaearching past patents yourself.

I would also mention that a few friends with a patent have told me that unless you have about 10K in funds to defend a patent, you could be wasting time.

Sad, but true. If you hold off on filing, IIRC, you have a year that you can sell with "patent pending" and have that protection of just the application.

If you do things right, a aptent should cost in the area of $3000.

(Then again, Im pulling all of this from memory)

[Lady Beretta]

Alot will depend on how much $ you think you can make from your product. Will you sell/market it yourself or try to sell it to a firm that would produce it and pay you for the royalty fee?
I designed several years ago a product for riders (horse) and the cost to patent it was over $10,000. I wouldn't make that kind of money for my product in 7 years. I decided against a patent.
I went ahead, designed a website, sold the product and ended up getting ripped off SO badly by others who then stole the idea and made their own website that I closed up shop.

[-JD-]

The cost will also be somewhat dependent on what the invention is.

If it is something relatively simple and there is no other analogous items in prior art then there should be little conflict and therfore revisions during the approval process as long as the scope of the patent claims are reasonable.

Try to research if anyone has done anything similar, patented or not does not matter so much because it is prior art either way.

[RaisedByWolves]

Im hoping ita a Wawa bar.


Chellos would rock with this added!

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[Kimba]

Im hoping ita a Wawa bar.


Chellos would rock with this added!

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I toyed with the idea of getting an electric cello.

Price prohibited.

[ehidle]

I have 4 published patent applications in the works...

1) DO NOT DISCLOSE DETAILS OF YOUR INVENTION TO THE PUBLIC, including this message board.

2) Document the "reduction to first practice," including any notes you've taken, drawings, etc.

3) Put dates on everything (documents in #2)

4) DO NOT SHOW OR SELL YOUR PRODUCT TO ANYONE until you have filed a provisional patent application. A provisional application costs a couple hundred bucks and allows you to state "PATENT PENDING" on your device. You have 1 year from the date you file your provisional patent application to file the full application

5) Thoroughly document any discussions you have with anyone about your invention, including seeking advice about how to reduce any part of it to practice. Do use nondisclosure agreements wherever possible when discussing any part of your invention with anyone.

eta: it will cost you between $5000 and $10000 to do your due diligence, prepare, and file the application. There will be further costs incurred if you need to significantly prosecute your application before the USPTO. I highly recommend that you not attempt to patent something by yourself. You may be able to win the patent, but there is little or no guarantee that it will be of sufficient quality to protect your invention.

You can save money if you can find a Patent Agent to assist you in prosecuting your application. They are generally less expensive than Patent Attorneys. Patent Agents are limited in their function, such as that they cannot prosecute issues dealing with validity, litigation, or contracts. They can, however, represent you before the USPTO in the prosecution of your application.

Hope this helps.

[RaisedByWolves]

I toyed with the idea of getting an electric cello.

Price prohibited.

ELO had stuff like this in the 70's. They may have pioneered it?

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