Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have an idea for a set of products.  My question is if I would be able to/should get a patent for it.  It is basically designing a basic product in a different way.  A good example would be if I wanted to decorate bowling balls to look a baseball or basketball.  Could I protect that concept?

now, what if i wanted to try and obtain licensing from say the nfl to use their team logos on a bowling ball.  if i was successfull, could i protect that idea?

Thanks for any help.

I`m not sure, not being an attorney, but it may be that this would come into the category of a "design patent." You could look those up, and perhaps one of the community member attorneys could clarify what those are, as well. :-)

I`m not a patent lawyer either but have read a little on the different types of patents and it does sound like a design patent type of situation.  There is a list of lawyers on my website you might could call and speak with.  A lot of lawyers will give you a free upfront conversation with them to determine if you want to move forward.

Edward Clutter
ideasforrent.com - "Because an [idea] is a terrible thing to waste."

stay away from invention promotion firms.  if this idea is important to you, spend a few hundred bucks for a little bit of lawyer time.

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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

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DIANE