Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have ideas for new products but I think that they are not patentable or would have a really weak patents. I know that there is endless information on bringing an idea/product to market but it starts with a patent.  Is there information out there that will help someone in whom would like to bring a product to the market without a patent?

Dave

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

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Randy
Inventor-Strategies

A lot of folks have ideas for products that are new to them, but that have already been patented.

It`s always a good idea to do a basic patent search before spending too much time or money trying to protect something that has already been patented. You can run basic searches at the Patent and Trademark website. Plus, many libraries and universities can help folks out with basic patent searches, and it`s free!

Good luck!



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Our product---navy signal flags---can`t be patented, they`re in the public domain. It isn`t the product that mattered to us, it`s the use of the flags to personalize a message. Aside from the complexities of making the flags, there`s the consumer education aspect.

With any competition, we`ll get the idea out into the world, educate people, and grow the market. Then it comes down to whether or not our flags are made better, or what they cost. We could likely patent some of the ways we use to make the flags, but then they wouldn`t be ours alone---someone would copy the methods, then we`d have lots of money down the drain if we wanted to legally stop them.

In many instances, "the more the merrier" is a valid way to improve the market and increase sales.

First, it is not "some ideas are not patentable". It is "ideas are not patentable", period.

You can patent something concrete - system, methods (lawyer talk) etc. Of course, you will try to make your claims as wide as you can.

Most patent firms give free first consulation. Take your invention to an attorney and talk it out. Maybe it is not patentable, maybe it is. It doesn`t hurt to discuss it with a lawyer.