Slashdot Mirror
Patents for the Little People?
_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?"
What's your patentable idea?
Bad idea, unfortunately. I'm right there with you in priciple...the less lawyers mucking things up in the world, the better. Going in on your own with a patent is just asking for trouble down the road. If the idea is already patented, you're screwed. If the idea is trademarked, you're screwed. If the patent language is overly broad, you're screwed. If the patent language isn't broad enough, you're screwed. All of these things will land you in legal hot water if your patent is challanged in court. You'll be sued by the origonal patent holder or sued by the trademark holder. If it's overbroad you'll be sued, your patent invalidated, and handed over to somebody else. Under-broad and somebody will implement your idea but tweak it that little bits so it's their own. Unpleasentness now will save more later.
"These people look deep within my soul and assign me a number based on the order in which I joined" --Homer re:
I thought we boycott Amazon BECAUSE of their patents! What the hell is going here?! :)
Berto