Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

It`s a law as un-bending as Gravity: Anything worth doing takes effort. But
must it always seem so impossible even when all the elements for success
are staring you in the face?
I have an invention for motorcycles. It will save lives. It uses existing
parts. It is in-expensive to mass produce. It`s ingenious, even
Revolutionary, yet one wonders why it wasn`t on the motorcycle from the
beginning. It`s so simple- so logical, though no one can guess what it is
even when they`re looking at it. Then the Novelty of it opens their eyes
and they see something they wish they thought of first. Dead-End.
Five years & $40k later I`m still looking for the right people to help me
take this Global, but we all know how hard it is to find Good People. I
have Applied for Patent Protection in the U.S. & it`s Terratories, but
Foreign Patent Protection is mandatory before I can sit with the likes of
Honda, Yamaha, BMW, etc. and Negotiate a Licensing Agreement. I
currently have Four working Prototypes, as well as a number of designs
on paper, that I have managed to keep secret all this time, though it cost
me everything I have.
HELP!!! I need Honest, Loyal, Dedicated people to help me do this right.
It`s a slam-dunk if we just finish what I started. My goal is simple: Put this
Device on every motorcycle made at the factory and support it with an
aftermarket network that permits the retrofit of every previous model
made. Sound too good to be true? This device also makes the operation
of a motorcycle easier to perform- so not only will more people decide
they want to own one, about ten times the number of women who
currently ride will easily pick up the art of riding= essentially doubling the
current sales of motorcycles worldwide: A win/win for everyone!
So, what have I overlooked? The market is there, the sales of
motorcycles are forcast to continue increasing at least until 2012 (barring
unforseen events), and the market research confirms the Data collected:
This is "IT", the next Big Thing. Wanna Ride?

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Until you walk a MILE in another man`s Moccasins-    You can never Know the man!!!

It sounds like you need money. Where have you looked for angels? I`ve heard of CEOs who drive bikes. Plenty of people with money share that avocation. I`m sure some would be interested in investing. Call Jay Leno.
Do you need internation protection to sit with the likes of Harley, Victory, Buell?



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Steve-
If you can give me Jay Leno`s phone number I would gladly call him.

As far as American bike makers go- if I make this device public before
securing International Protection it jeopardizes my rights to do so in the
future, as well as gives the foreign markets a head start in knock-offs. I
have studied extensively in patent law & this is a very real risk.

As far as CEO`s are concerned, I`ve left messages with Orange County
Choppers with no response, I`ve called to speak with owners of
motorcycle dealers to no avail. I spoke to the editors of three major
motorcycle magazines only to be told they can`t help me.

When something sounds this good people assume you`re either making it
up or nuts. The hard part is done- I just need the full protection that the
laws provide & the means to enforce it should infringement arrise.
Considering the profits we`re looking at, the amount of Investment
Capital is really small change.
Rob O.

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Until you walk a MILE in another man`s Moccasins-    You can never Know the man!!!

Rob, I don`t think you`re aiming high enough. I was thinking more along the lines of Steve Forbes. A motorcycling CEO with more than a few shekels to rub together.

You know where Jay Leno works. How badly do you want to meet him?

It sounds like the StartupNation elevator pitch contest is still open for entries. The top prize besides consulting with the Sloan Brothers is an introduction to angel investors. I assume they`ll make an effort to find potential angels that are a match for your business financially as well as personal interests.


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Rob

You haven`t mentioned (or I missed it) what is required to secure the international protection.  Have you contacted the World Trade Organization or the World Bank?  I would think either of these organizations can provide some type of assistance or point you in the right direction.

You seem very passionate about this idea and the only supportive advice I can give you is to NOT GIVE UP!  I`d be happy to help you if I can.

Danie

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Danielle Taylor *
Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance *
Real Virtual Solutions for Real Business Needs *
http://www.TaylorVA.com

Danie,

I`ve been given figures of $15k to $30k for filing Offensive Rights abroad,
& of course that only gives me the Right to litigate. As soon as Patent
Rights are secured I would immediately set up meetings in Japan with
Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki; KTM in Austria, working my way West
from East through Europe, until back on U.S. soil to hit every American
Bike Builder there is. I figured I`d leave the best for last, mainly because
Americans seem to be the hardest to convince they need something, and
by then my pitch should be well rehearsed.
My ultimate goal is a license agreement with every manufacturer of
motorcycles, and any aftermarket companies interested in supplying the
used motorcycle market. Any bike could easily be retrofitted with this
device making it compatible with all bikes both new & old.

This could be the best thing to happen to motorcycles since the wheel!

Rob O.

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Until you walk a MILE in another man`s Moccasins-    You can never Know the man!!!

Hi, Rob

Maybe I`m still missing something, and it sounds like you`ve done most of the research already.  What is stopping you from securing Foreign Patent Protection?  Is it money? Is it access?  Is it both?

Either way, here`s another suggestion, the US Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).  Here`s a link to the legislation that outlines the program.  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1323.is:

You may already know about this.  If not, it`s worth a shot.  I think you`ll have an easier time securing larger investors once you have the foreign patent protection that shows how serious you are.

Danie

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Danielle Taylor *
Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance *
Real Virtual Solutions for Real Business Needs *
http://www.TaylorVA.com

rob,

if we could tee up a "hook up" with a gentleman who owned a BUNCH of motorbike dealerships, would that be helpful? i`m thinking we could get you a conversation with him (privately and confidentially) that would at least give you one potential angel investor`s perspective. he may not be interested but you could learn from him for sure and be better equipped for your next pitch opportunity.

are you IN or OUT?

rich


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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

I`M IN!!!!!!!

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Until you walk a MILE in another man`s Moccasins-    You can never Know the man!!!

how many patents have been granted?

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com