Imagine my surprise/Early bird gets the worm

MilwShooter

MilwShooter

Pool? Never heard of it..
Silver Member
Today I noticed an ad at the top of AZBilliards that stunned me and upset me. It was for a device (not naming names or websites) that helps give you a straighter stroke. Here is my grievance:

I designed something almost IDENTICAL to this device around the beginning of the 2000's. My question at this juncture is; Do I continue with my design, noticing the lack of patent or patent not the same as my design and sell it for the amount I planned to (half their price)? Or do I go on to trying to design something completely different? Do I follow the "early bird gets the worm" theory, or fight to get my design on the market anyways, knowing that for half the price...it could screw them out of sales? A little help from my fellow AZers would be great.
 
MilwShooter said:
Today I noticed an ad at the top of AZBilliards that stunned me and upset me. It was for a device (not naming names or websites) that helps give you a straighter stroke. Here is my grievance:

I designed something almost IDENTICAL to this device around the beginning of the 2000's. My question at this juncture is; Do I continue with my design, noticing the lack of patent or patent not the same as my design and sell it for the amount I planned to (half their price)? Or do I go on to trying to design something completely different? Do I follow the "early bird gets the worm" theory, or fight to get my design on the market anyways, knowing that for half the price...it could screw them out of sales? A little help from my fellow AZers would be great.
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Something to ponder

Of the millions of people that play pool, probably 97% dont care about a straight stroke.

Someone once said if you offered a golfer a brand new SUV or 10 strokes off their handicap, at least some of them would chose the 10 strokes.

If you offered the average person who plays pool the same type of improvement or a 6-pack you couldnt find enough beer.

You are better off inventing a new type case, a chalk holder or T-Shirt or something for the league player rather than for the aspiring perfectionist.
 
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interesting take on the situation. I've always been under the impression that the cost and the fact that most training aids require a pool table were to blame. You don't feel that a cheap training aide that doesn't require a pool table wouldn't bring enough of a crowd? Interesting point to ponder.
 
MilwShooter said:
interesting take on the situation. I've always been under the impression that the cost and the fact that most training aids require a pool table were to blame. You don't feel that a cheap training aide that doesn't require a pool table wouldn't bring enough of a crowd? Interesting point to ponder.
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It could but it is a real hard sell IMO. Keep in mind that i really dont KNOW anything. Im just giving another point of view.
 
10% different

The last I knew 10% different and you own a design if you patent it. There are some general guidelines but after that 10% is impossible to define except in a court room. Let your conscience be your guide. Remember, you have no idea who was first with the idea or how long the person marketing it now has had the idea. I have some that I have sat on for decades. I may get a wild hair and market them someday, I may not.

Hu



MilwShooter said:
Today I noticed an ad at the top of AZBilliards that stunned me and upset me. It was for a device (not naming names or websites) that helps give you a straighter stroke. Here is my grievance:

I designed something almost IDENTICAL to this device around the beginning of the 2000's. My question at this juncture is; Do I continue with my design, noticing the lack of patent or patent not the same as my design and sell it for the amount I planned to (half their price)? Or do I go on to trying to design something completely different? Do I follow the "early bird gets the worm" theory, or fight to get my design on the market anyways, knowing that for half the price...it could screw them out of sales? A little help from my fellow AZers would be great.
Click to expand...
 
MilwShooter said:
Today I noticed an ad at the top of AZBilliards that stunned me and upset me. It was for a device (not naming names or websites) that helps give you a straighter stroke. Here is my grievance:

I designed something almost IDENTICAL to this device around the beginning of the 2000's. My question at this juncture is; Do I continue with my design, noticing the lack of patent or patent not the same as my design and sell it for the amount I planned to (half their price)? Or do I go on to trying to design something completely different? Do I follow the "early bird gets the worm" theory, or fight to get my design on the market anyways, knowing that for half the price...it could screw them out of sales? A little help from my fellow AZers would be great.
Click to expand...

I have a couple of thoughts along these lines....

1. If you have a good product. Similar ones are selling in the market for $10.00 each. You can make and market it with a profit for $5.00 each. Why not Charge $7-7.50 and they will buy yours and and you make more money. Many will think that for $5.00 they are not getting a quality product!!!

2. The biggest thing that comes between some people and making money on an idea is the persons over estimation of the inteligence of the general buying public. Some of them will buy most anything!!!

I came to this conclusion partially while at a crafts fair with my wife. There was a booth set up selling "Balloon Yo Yo's" A small balloon filled with half air and half water attached to a rubber band. The folks had a pan of water, a large syringe, a box of small balloons and a box or rubber bands. They were selling those things as fast as they could make them for $1.00 each. Every mom would buy one to occupy the kids while they shopped. I know some of that was being in the right place at the right time. There are other things just like that as well.

As for your product.... Can you find out how many they are actually selling? Is it in conjunction with some other "training Program"?
 
Sorry BigD, I'm really trying not to get into specifics. No, they don't have any type of training. I think there's a manual, but it's pretty self explanatory. I think if I started making these things in bulk I could cut cost to about $2.50, unless I went with some synthetics or polymers, then it'd be more, but the appearance of nicer materials would make the higher cost feasible.

I'm not out to make a ton of cash, I'm more interested in helping other people out that are in similar situations such as myself (no room/ can't afford a table). I guess I'd be taking a slightly more philanthropic approach.
 
Neil said:
I think you need to consider a couple of things. 1. You sat on it for 9 years, and, odds are, if you hadn't seen someone else do it, you would probably still be sitting on it. 2. How do you know that someone else didn't have a similar idea, and would consider you trying to steal their idea and sue you? Are you prepared to get sued? Can you prove you had the idea first? 3. I once had a good idea, and sat on it. Three years later, someone else had the same idea and didn't sit on it. They didn't get rich, but they made some money on it. You snooze, you lose.
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1. I injured my back several years ago and have been without the funds to continue on my endeavor.

2. I did quite a bit of research looking for ANY patents with this name or the companies name with no results. I can prove I had the idea since October 17th of 2001 because I mailed a copy of the schematics to myself, twice sealed, and have never opened it. That means I have the original postmark from the post office still on the unopened, security sealed envelope...I didn't have the money at the time to invest in a patent, but knew better than to NOT try to cover my back side...just in case.

3. I doubt I'd get anywhere near the exposure this company has, and again, am not interested in doing it to become rich. More interested in being able to continue working on the idea without them trying to accuse me of anything.

Thanks for throwing some ideas out.
 
My gut feel is that the only way forward would be to get the product to market. I would not worry about trying to get a patent on your device, or worry if the competitor has one. The only way that becomes relevant is within the court system, and I'd bet that neither of you have the money to go down that road more than an inch or two.

Free advice, and worth every penny. ;)

Dave
 
If the selling company does not have a patent, you can sell the same thing legally. It does not matter if you copy it exactly.

You might be able to still patent your design, provided you have your lab journals (notebooks) dated and in order.

Patents cost money. Over $1000 most likely to get one issued.

Defending patents cost mega money. Tens of thousands often times.

Only the lawyers make out on patents.

In our small market, you are probably safe doing whatever you want, even if you are infringing on someone else. Likewise, if someone is infringing on you, its probably not worth the effort to sue them.

My $0.02, coming from an engineering corporate environment where I see first hand we don't even go after patent infringement unless its for millions of dollars. Its just not worth the legal expense.
 
Nostroke said:
Something to ponder

Of the millions of people that play pool, probably 97% dont care about a straight stroke.

Someone once said if you offered a golfer a brand new SUV or 10 strokes off their handicap, at least some of them would chose the 10 strokes.

If you offered the average person who plays pool the same type of improvement or a 6-pack you couldnt find enough beer.

You are better off inventing a new type case, a chalk holder or T-Shirt or something for the league player rather than for the aspiring perfectionist.
Click to expand...

Screw the SUV...I wanna be a +8 handicap. I'm sure I'd win enough money on some tour to buy any SUV I might want. :thumbup:
 
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