You can patent your ideas yourself for a low cost. This is what I did:
- First, build your idea to prove its value. Don't do anything if you can't even build a prototype.
- Start by making vectorized drawings of your product
- Draft out your claims, as accurately as possible
- File a provisional application online for $100.
- You now have secured a filing date. Spend a weekend or two within the next year and write a non-provisional patent application.
- Spend $400 to file it when you are ready.
- You now have "patent-pending status". Go talk to manufacturers and investors, and demo your product.
- Wait almost 2 years.
- Work with the examiner, who will reject your application a few times. Schedule a phone call and talk to them, which is always a good idea.
- Pay $200 something when you are granted.
The total cost is around $800, which is very little money. One spin of custom PCBs is around $1k, and the cost of an LLC in Mass. is $500 per year, for perspective. It isn't bad at all, you just need to learn how to write with the correct phrasing.
The true value of the process was when you were working with other people and were able to show patent-pending status. If it actually gets granted, then you now own property you made out of thin air. And if the product has value you can sell your property for many times more than $800. Not a bad investment.
I wish it was this easy with trademarks. I spent $9k with a trademark attorney and when we started debating with the application examiner about previous versions and approximately similar, it became a black hole and the attorney’s meter was running for every phone call and administrative filing. It was going to cost another $10-12,000 in legal fees to keep advancing our assertions.
Unfortunately, there is a pecking order to applications and you can’t leap frog because what if one of the applications received before yours got approved. It could have a direct impact on your application getting approved. So you have to play the waiting game and it can involve years. For large corporations, this amounts to peanuts and often, they have a product ready to be released just awaiting trademark approval on a name.
However, for the small independent entrepreneur that isn’t trying to produce something in volume ar first, maybe just simple apparel like T- Shirts or jewelry, you have to have the trademark protection before bringing your trademark identity to life. And the cost of obtaining a trademark isn’t cheap and it’s more complicated than you’d imagine.
I received detailed reports outlining every phone call, letter, form submission, correspondence and related status changes, if any, by month in a quarterly summary. It reached the point where my personal finances couldn’t support the application effort which is too bad. The trademark name was a sure winner for so many different applications too.
Well, it was fun to dream awhile but it turned into an expensive nightmare. I was naive to be hopeful but I’ve learned.
I’ve had an idea for a pool stroke training aid for a long time. I tried making a prototype but I’m not skilled enough to
make what I have in mind. I can draw it and I’ve shown it to a Master PBIA Instructor who thought it was a clever way
of fixing a common stroke flaw, especially with new players. If you fix a flaw early it doesn’t become a habit, like using
unintended English too often. Maybe one of my kids or grandkids will pick this up because I’ve never seen anything
like this product idea for improving your pool stroke. I’ve tried an improvised version of it and it does work but I couldn’t
find the right materials to use to produce the version like I had in mind. My attempts were too bulky but they did work.
I’m always on the lookout for some materials I could substitute to make this idea come to life. The price range I think should be shipped under $30-35 incldg sales tax. Think of it as an expensive pool glove. Heck, a couple pieces of TAOM chalk would cost you more. Ideas are easy but bringing a good one to its successful fruition is more difficult, challenging, time consuming and expensive. Maybe that’s why the really good ideas pay off so well. Bringing them to reality is a lot tougher than it may seem, at least based on my experiences to date. I envy those who actually accomplish it.
Look at the evolution of Digicue……..that’s story unto itself…….and as innovative as anything ever invented for pool.
It’s been a long arduous journey for Nate but I admire his creativity, persistence and fortitude to bring this radical idea
to life. How can you not admire someone that believes in his idea and is willing to pursue it despite all the adversities.
Just let me know in a week if arrived to you. They fit any of the Taom chalks. If the chalk wears thin, just stick a coin under the chalk and it will push it out.
