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Patents for the Little People?

Posted by Cliff on from the empowering-the-underdog dept.

_ph1ux_ asks: "I have an idea that i would like to patent. I have called several patent attorney's in the San Francisco Bay Area and inquired about the costs associated with doing a patent search and filing. I was quoted a flat fee for the search by some, ranges by others - and some more sound sounding advice from others. Some attorney's want $450 for the search and a range of $3-6,000 for the filing - with up to six months before they are ready to just file the application for you. I have been researching on USPTO website to see if there are any pre-existing patents that cover my idea now for several days, and so far have found none. In the past I was able to quickly locate existing patents that thwarted my previous patent attempts - so this time it looks promising. My personal feelings for attorneys and lawyers aside - I want to know what have other slashdotters done with regards to pursuing patents, specifically if it is at all possible for an IANAL to successfully apply for a patent (cheaply)? Can you tell me what other avenues there are for me online or otherwise, while not giving away a large stake in my invention?"

5 of 466 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm.. by unicron · · Score: 5, Funny

    *Whips out paper and pen*

    So what exactly does this product do? Please be as specific as possible, and email me any drawings you have of said product, including highly detailed autocad drawings.

    --
    Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
  2. Traditionally... by Amazing+Quantum+Man · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have an idea that i would like to patent.

    Traditionally, you couldn't patent ideas, only implementations...

    Of course, the USPTO has ignored that for at least a decade...

    --
    Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
  3. Re:Before you disclose your invention, DO THIS by unicron · · Score: 5, Funny

    There goes your cut.

    --
    Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
  4. Just do it by ocbwilg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just file your patent. Worry about prior art and all that other stuff later. That's what everybody else does...

  5. But he already disclosed it! by unsinged+int · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can't you people read? He's patenting little people. Then he's gonna sue the crap out of that guy on the Lucky Charms box and get his pot of gold.