patenting idea ?

[Keefer]

I have been tinkering of an idea for field tips and possibly broadheads but don't have the Funds on starting a patent and wish I could Trust in sharing the idea with a good Broadhead or FieldPoint comany...Maybe they could take it to the next level and Make something of it...Every once in a while God gives me an idea but I don't pursue it and see it on the shelves a few years later and think    I wasted the gift He inspired me with so I feel He gave it to someone else...I don't want to let this idea slip by me this time...Let's just put it this way...You will never loose another head into a target butt again and Hot melt will no longer be needed...I see posts where people are always loosing heads in everthing and this idea was planted into my brain for some reason but reality sets in and I put the idea on the shelf...I wander if "Easton" or any of the big companys would be interested in it? I think Old Fred Himself would of liked this idea...God Bless! Keefers <")))><

[always89]

Keefer,
I have had several run ins with this, and have patented a couple of archery related items (I was pretty involved in the archery industry back when I was shooting wheelie bows). I would say, go see a lawyer, or look online and find a "Non Discloser" statement. Most reputable manufacturers will will accept this, and hear you out. They will want to "License" the rights to the Patent, but usually will fund the patent search, and sometimes the draw up and patent process themselves.

Here is a real good tip. Come up with drawings (on a piece of paper, napkin, computer drawing, anything!) and cover as many variations of the thing as you can. Have a notery put their mark on it. Take that, and the original prototype, and any advanced prototypes, and put them in a box. Take it to the post office and mail it to yourself. then hold on to it. Its proof that you had the original idea before taking it to the manufacturer.

Keepa detailed log, even a voice recorded log of any meetings. This will protect you to a minimium.

Let the manufacturer know you have done this. They will bet on the idea that you will not take it to litigation due to cost.
I know its costly, but involve a lawyer as much as possible. Have the lawyer present the Non Discloser Statement at a minimium.

I know this sounds like alot, but that industry is a cut throat one, and the guy most prepared will win.

Get ready for a bumpy ride, but it can pay off.

[Doc Nock]

On the other hand, I had a friend in the tree stand business that spent tons on patents down to the dotting of i's and crossing 't's.

At the big Harrisburg show, another stand mfg, big boys, would come in early and video tape all his newest innovations(patented) and they'd show up on their products that fall.

What I've learned about patents over time is they are like house/truck locks..keep out the honest people.

If a larger company wants to violate your patent, it's going to cost a lot to fight it and they often have deeper pockets.  They can simply out-last you in any legal battle.

Kinda a "Catch 22".  But all the other good ideas listed above sound resonable.  

If you call and work with some smaller, owner-operated broadhead companies, especially in the trad biz, I think you should give it a try!

[O.L. Adcock]

Good Advice from Always89.."but that industry is a cut throat one, and the guy most prepared will win."

Very true unfortunatly. Deep pockets are hard to fight....O.L.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

Only warning I would add is that all the U.S. Patent Office statements about mailing an idea to yourself say it's not really any help.

The non-disclosure statement is viable according to patent advice I got from the state of Maine. I tried that with one manufacturer and they honored it. Only problem there was they were unable to reproduce my item.

Hope your efforts turn out well.

Jim

[Keefer]

Thanks Guys for the tips....I know of a very Trustworthy Lawyer that did all my Adoption paper work to lagalize any of our estate( What little we have) to our newly adopted Daughter here in Maryland...She was legally our daughter when we landed into the U.S.A. but from my understanding if something happens to my wife and I the State of Maryland wouldn't award her our estate so loopholes had to be filled if you follow me...So I Trust this Lawyer and He is a great Christian friend that I can Trust in...Either way Money is just a piece of paper and isn't something I worship but the idea that was given to me from God above deserves all the credit...I would rather see my TradGang friends benefit from this more than I...Heck If the Mods would like to run with the idea I would give them this idea as long as all Money made will go to St.Judes Children...All I would like to do is have a 1 month long Moose trip with a couple of my best friends down the Moose John in a raft...Or just a good Whitetail Hunt in Alberta, Iowa or who cares just time spent with friends around a campfire...God Bless & Thanks again...Keefers <")))><

[always89]

Jim is correct; the patent office does not support the idea of mailing an idea. And the process is not meant as a "poor man’s patent", but as a temporary security tool while you identify/grow interest in the idea. Hopefully, you can drum up interest and get the interested party to foot the bill for the patent process. (It isn’t cheap by any means!)

[always89]

Plus, the patent office telling you that the mail in idea WAS a good idea would be like the USPS telling you to use FEDEX!

[imskippy]

I read the story on Eclipse in TBM. He's a one man show that might take interest in something like this since he's already an established business in the archery community. Just my .02

[tim roberts]

What O.L. said is ture. Deep pockets are hard to beat, and if it goes to court, the only way it seems is to be able to match them $ for $.  The best way to do it is to start out small and put the resources that you get out of it right back in.  It take a while but the results are worth it in the end!

[Sharpster]

Keefer, PM sent

[SlowBowinMO]

I lost a Zwickey on a Woody weight just today...get on with it man!  

[Keefer]

Thanks for the advice Sharpster and SlowBowinMO you would of still been shooting that Zwickey if I will get off my Tail and get this thing patented...Man I am making you guys loose money but I'm keeping the broadhead and field point fellas in bussiness...The more you loose the more they make...Keefers <")))><

[Keefer]

I've been checking out to see if any patents were anywhere near what I have in mind...Man it will take forever looking at all the inventions others come up with...There are some very detailed drawings and neat to see when others submitted thier ideas and what year things were patented...So far Nothing with the same concept of what I have in mind...

[tim roberts]

Keefer,
PM Sent.........

[Dave Bulla]

Well, my understanding of the process as far as I've looked into it for my own purposes was that drawing up notorized plans, pictures, making prototypes etc and mailing them to yourself (be sure to use cetified mail not regular) only served one purpose.  That is "proof of date of conception" of the idea.  If you think of something today and mail it to yourself tomorrow but don't get anything done with it for say two years then someone else comes along who is ripping you off it could come down to a battle of your word against theirs for who thought of it first.  When you get to court, you whip out your package as "exibit A" and show irrefutable proof of YOUR date of conception.

Er, just read that again....  don't whip yer package out in court, it might get ya put in jail.  Just show them the certified proof of when you thought of your idea and hope all goes for the best I guess.

[always89]

You got it

[Keefer]

Dave , I will keep my package sealed buddy...Thanks for the heads up there partner