Patent :: ins & outs?

[LDNrevs]

I have a product that I was looking to develop a couple of years ago and I got as far as having a decent prototype made up. It's related to the recording industry so is relatively niche and i'm weighing up whether I should go through with the patent process to protect the idea. I did scratch the surface regarding patents when I first had the idea and realised quickly that protection in the UK means nothing elsewhere so for true coverage you need to apply to different global regions... for such a niche product, is it worth it? It is a low cost product and does not involve technology but there is a single feature that I feel would make it eligible.

Are there any patent experts here on PH or anyone that's been through the process and can advise on the headache that may well be involved...

[Paracetamol]

LDNrevs said:

I have a product that I was looking to develop a couple of years ago and I got as far as having a decent prototype made up. It's related to the recording industry so is relatively niche and i'm weighing up whether I should go through with the patent process to protect the idea. I did scratch the surface regarding patents when I first had the idea and realised quickly that protection in the UK means nothing elsewhere so for true coverage you need to apply to different global regions... for such a niche product, is it worth it? It is a low cost product and does not involve technology but there is a single feature that I feel would make it eligible.

Are there any patent experts here on PH or anyone that's been through the process and can advise on the headache that may well be involved...

If you file in the UK, you gain protection to enable you to talk to people about the idea. If you find its viable, then you still have a first option to file in other jurisdictions. It costs around £1k to file in the UK (patent lawyer's expenses and patent office fees etc) and takes about another £1k to get the patent granted and the whole process takes around 3 years. In that first year you can make changes to your idea that often come about through discussion with potential users of the device.

You should use a patent lawyer...dont try and DIY it if you think the idea has any merit.

The important thing to do is to get a patent lawyer to do a thorough search (costs around £200) and this will inform you whether or not the idea already exists and therefore the liklihood of you gaining a patent.

A patent lawyer is unlikely to give you a view on the commercial aspects of gaining the patent (ie is the idea commerically viable)

[LDNrevs]

Paracetamol said:

If you file in the UK, you gain protection to enable you to talk to people about the idea. If you find its viable, then you still have a first option to file in other jurisdictions. It costs around £1k to file in the UK (patent lawyer's expenses and patent office fees etc) and takes about another £1k to get the patent granted and the whole process takes around 3 years. In that first year you can make changes to your idea that often come about through discussion with potential users of the device.

You should use a patent lawyer...dont try and DIY it if you think the idea has any merit.

The important thing to do is to get a patent lawyer to do a thorough search (costs around £200) and this will inform you whether or not the idea already exists and therefore the liklihood of you gaining a patent.

A patent lawyer is unlikely to give you a view on the commercial aspects of gaining the patent (ie is the idea commerically viable)

Hey thanks Paracetamol, I'll take on board all of that

[Boosted LS1]

Also, it has to be a completely new idea AND as said above don't discuss it's details with anybody or on the internet as it'll no longer be a new idea!

Some help here:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/

[Golfman]

http://gb.espacenet.com/search97cgi/s97_cgi.exe?Ac...

[LDNrevs]

Thanks Boosted and Golfman - interesting search site there.

[AlexB]

There is quite a bit of info in previous threads such as:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

The main worry I would have is that you say you tried doing something with this a few years back - is the product/invention still confidential? If not you are likely to have difficulty getting a valid patent.

Best advice is speak to a patent attorney - many will provide a free initial consultation where you can talk freely about the invention and get advice.
Alex

[Boosted LS1]

AlexB said:

Best advice is speak to a patent attorney - many will provide a free initial consultation where you can talk freely about the invention and get advice.
Alex

This is what I did but I can't find the email address for the person I spoke with or how I found them. It was a practice in Birmingham who exchanged emails and phone calls foc. I had very good service and they may have been recommended to me by the patent site.

[The_Doc]

I have used Forrester-Kettley in Birmingham for my patent application and found them to be professional and as expensive as I feared but with transparant fees and good communication.

I have a deposit down on the Enzo replacement ready for my patent idea to sky-rocket

[LDNrevs]

Thanks I will check them out

[Paracetamol]

The_Doc said:

I have used Forrester-Kettley in Birmingham for my patent application and found them to be professional and as expensive as I feared but with transparant fees and good communication.

I have a deposit down on the Enzo replacement ready for my patent idea to sky-rocket

Its so much fun mentally spending the money...not as much fun sat with a company that you are trying to get to buy or license your IPR ..as I found on Friday- made Dragons Den look tame....

[pete_esp]

Thread resurrection!

Does anyone know how this panned out for the posters above?

I'm on a similar venture myself so it'd be great to hear of others experience of bringing a patent to market.