I've been an inventor, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of hundreds of professional technical tools for more than 50-years and have never applied for a patent on a single one! In the 80's I read an article from a fellow inventor stating the following: patents provide zero protection, they provide only one thing, the precedent to sue an infringer in a court of law. If you do not have the sizeable money to pay an attorney to bring this lawsuit to court, attorneys will rarely if ever, take a patent infringement case on contingency, unless it provides multiple millions of dollars for the attorney. In addition, if you do not bring suit against every infringer on your patent, you will lose the ability to bring suit after only one year! This is why I've never applied for a patent, I simply marketed my products with a money back guarantee of utility, and at a reasonable price for the marketplace. David Riddle
Hello Steven, this is Tweetie Dao, one of your original regular guests in Palo Alto , CA almost 20 years ago. I even held Andrew's Baby while he was at the signing table or on stage... It's so miraculous and amazing that I was just hanging up a call with a Patent Attorney named Ray W. in Alabama who advised me to contact you guys and get help with my many ideas. What You are talking here is exactly what he told me just 10+ ago about patents are not needed....I will contact your company next week. Have a great weekend and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO YOU , ANDREW AND OTHER FATHERS IN YOUR COMPANY!
Hello Tweetie, I hope you’re doing well. 20 years ago holy cow! Let’s talk whenever it’s convenient. Have a wonderful weekend. Time flies when you’re having a blast!
You said it very well. Patents give you the right to sue other people. Nothing more nothing less. Practically this means you also need the financial resources to do so. Trademarks are a very similar story, in that case you even have to actively "hunt" other companies otherwise you can even lose the trademark.
Im currently stressing and seriously considering trying to patent a clothing closure idea, but the more i read and watch about it, I dont think its worth the money and the stress. Its not even that unique, and I know anyone could find a workaround if they wanted.
This guy told me exactly what I wanted to hear. For I was looking for a way around getting a patent while still being protected. In which I thought about using social media for exposure, plus being the one(the inventor) to release it into the market for several months, and doing a whole lot of other things(outside of patents) to prove that I'm the inventor. So thank you, TH-cam content inventor for confirming what I was already thinking.
@@selinane2Seli-zw3pz Since that comment was made I've did more research. In which I found out for $65 I can do a provisional patent application for further protection. That would add on to all of the things I said in my original comment. And of course big companies can out market me, but I can put my marketing out first in a strong way to show I'm the original.
@@kobiecamp1134 the provisionnal patent application doesn't give you any right if you don't push the process further (non provisionnal patent application, answer to official action, granted patent, extensions). You just want to waste 65 dollars lol
Thank you for the info. My question is about how to protect process inventions, inventions that don't have a product to manufacture and sell but rather show a new way to do something that is better and more cost-effective, saving the builder/user a lot of money.
In 1956 a new guitar pickup was released and to protect his design Seth Lover did not show a patent number on his pickup. Instead he put “Patent Applied For” or PAF so that his rivals and counterfeiters could not lookup the design in the Patents Office to copy it
Thank you for the kind words Jonathan. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Thanks for all of your great videos Stephen!(and Andrew, Amy Jo, etc.!) After your webinar with Jim at Hangman Products, I decided to change the product I was focusing on. Yesterday, I submitted an idea to Jim with only a prototype video demonstration.. *fingers crossed
I think a patent is needed for no other reason than some other bigger player sees your idea and puts their own patent on it essentially locking you out of your own idea. If you have the patent at least you have options. 🤷♂️
But am I right in saying that you can’t put a patent on a product that’s already been made public. So if your product is on the market or made public it’s not original anymore, sure they can copy it, but nobody else can patent it either, is that correct?
Thanks. Ive come up with an idea and need to know how to get started. Good info. Recommendations on where i can research if someone has already created it?
If not bad advice then at least dubious. If you are lucky you will get away with it. If you are unlucky at least two things can happen. One, the examiner may construe the multiple variations as separate inventions in their own right. This could put you in a very difficult position. Two, during litigation with an infringer your claims may be attacked as being to broad. Again, very difficult position to be in and those claims could likely be invalidated.
@@MeysamHoseini-pj9en they don’t. They only give you the right to sue. And suing someone is extremely time-consuming and expensive with no guarantee whatsoever.
Hi - great video and very informative. One question though - if you want to license a product to a big company I assume you don't build a brand on social media before you do that? Can or should you do that?
Just a heads up. Several companies on your list of companies interested into products that require a patent. Tovolo is the latest one that rejected my idea because I only have a PPA. "we will only consider using an invention if it is patented with a patented published number. Please submit the published patent number" (which means you have to have $5k-$20k to MIGHT be able to license a product which MIGHT make money) That list badly needs to be updated and reviewed by your team. Some of the companies aren't taking ideas. If I might make a suggestion. It might be smart to update the list of companies that require a patent vs PPA.
Hi Craig. Our student Jay licensed an idea to Tovolo with only a provisional patent application. Companies change their policies all the time. Some companies would love to have a patent. For others intellectual property is not required. Please closely read what’s required to submit an idea to them. We're glad this free resource has been useful to you.
@@inventRight Thank you for the heads up. I didn't know these types of policies would change all that often. I was thinking that would've been a more static policy that might require a major event to change it. Anyways, thank you for giving that resource for free. My plan is, since I don't have enough to really afford the membership options at this time. My hope is that I can land a good deal with a company, and reinvest that. Part of that hopefully will allow me to become a student since I have a number of things I made in the past that I never had a chance to put it within my online stores, and I would like to see if they can be licensed if I can take it to a company with real infrastructure and distribution.
My dad was head of Product Development for Bear Archery back in the 70s. Fifty years ago he stated that patents merely gave you a right to sue. He also said that the key to making money on a good idea was to keep it quiet, put it on the market rapidly, make large profits from the early adopters, then start cutting prices as your competition starts to put copies on the market. Since you've amortized your investment, and they haven't, you'll still retain and advantageous position. Then, be ready to dump the product and move onto something new when profitability drops.
Patents can be worked around. I have an utility model of a fast charging system on mobile phones, but HMD global (Nokia) stole the design. The stolen design is on the Nokia G22
If you change the actual mechanical operation of an patented product, does that constitute it being a new idea, even though it still works the same way somewhat and much easier to use?
@@inventRight I appreciate your feedback as well as everyone else's. I have went to a lot of high-end retailers and just asked a question if they sold or ever heard of something like what I asked and several actually laughed and that makes me determined even more to succeed, but nothing means as much to me without the actual working product in my hand. Even though I might be the actual first person to ever own one and not be able to have it patented. My dream would have still came true, regardless!!
In the past for many years I haven't been paid the amount of money I earned and most of the time I have done casual work or just work as a mechanic at my leisure. However, very valuable work, honestly. So I think time has come to bring some change with it. Change needed, honestly.
People can always sue you regardless. Patents are just words. And those words can be interpreted differently from different people. From judges, a jury to a patent examiner or the licensee. Just gives you the right to sue.
Inventions hardly exist now because I'd argue that most inventions are variations of what already exists - though not all of them. I think a design type patent is the new hybrid (not talking about a design registration - talking about a variation of a design to make it function more efficiently, universally or have more adaptability. Look at pochade boxes or folding palettes - there's so much prior art that predict their future design....
I guess my only concern about what you said. “License it to the biggest player”.. is that that top dog is going to be able to flood the market with my idea, before ive had a chance to speak. Not sure why he would be the person to share it with. in the hopes it doesnt get stolen. So patent it previous, in the absolute hope they dont steal it? 🤔
Hello Sir, I have invented a mechanical automatic toy that is not available in the market, please tell me should I go for a patent or simply approach a large company in this field,I also fear that if I demonstrate the details to the company they might copy it and release the product in the market.
This is fantastic advice. I was letting the fear of IP theft prevent me from continuing the development cycle for my software. I think what matters more is helping people by going to market with my product, moreso than worrying about trying to protect it in court, which is too much hassle.
It depends on what the "Subject" is being patented, as to what a Patent will Protect. :) Most companies won't steal ideas in the fear of being sued or having to sue back.
I think the biggest problem today for companies is looking poorly on social media. Takes years to establish trust and only a couple bad reviews to destroy it .
Thank you for this video. I have an educational patent out pending right now. I wanted to sell the idea but dont have much money. So this was a great eye opener in a good way of what to avoid. I'm not trying to get rich, just educate people with my invention and might have to go sell it myself. Social media definitely has influence if the internet doesnt filter us. Thank you!
Hi, You will make more money by getting paid royalties every three months (quarterly) than you ever would selling your invention outright. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
I was thinking about that too. But something came across my mind was to sell it and just get the royalties from it. I really don't want to deal with the headaches that comes with it. I will be on the low while collecting checks. I plan to use social media for bait to get the product out there. Market it well once it kicks off well then big companies I'll reach out to then for a offer to sale. That's my plan. Much success to you and I know you will do Awesome!! Let's get it!!
File a provisional patent first @ uspto first for micro status it goes for around 70$, this gives you protection for 12months, then you can go for the main application this will give you time to know if your idea works or not.
Your so welcome. Let us know if you need help. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
If someone is going to challenge your invention and you vent afford to fight it they can steal your invention and not much you can do about it. Now I'm reluctant to even try to get a patent. I need help making the prototype so how am I going to do that without getting my invention stolen?
We can help; contact us. You can also watch the many videos and read the many articles we've written on how to retain your ownership of your creativity and get paid for it.
I have an awesome idea on a great invention. I can't disclose details. But my concern is whom do I present my idea to and they will not steal it. Should I contact an attorney first and if so what will be my next steps. Thanks for the videos
This is why I never bothered pursuing one for any of the original ideas I had. Without the desire to develop and produce the items/products myself nor the resources to protect my IP if I did (if that's even possible with countries that operate in China), they would just be expensive plaques to hang on the wall and I have plenty of art for that.
@@secondskinfillers8709 Watch "Stanford law professor discusses the current state of intellectual property" on TH-cam th-cam.com/video/NPSha5ZZUwk/w-d-xo.html
at this point i believe a patent for me is solely for personal accomplishments. a plaque on the wall. something to add to your legacy. because actually having the resources to defend yourself many individuals don't have those espc. micro inventors. I had no idea people could challenge your invention thats seriously a game changer. Copycats alibaba etc.. Atleast the outreach from social media worldwide people will know who the genuine creator was. This is truly an eye opener thanks for this video.
Ty for being open about ur hard time to help us, i learn the hard way too. That`s why i`m here watching this vid before it happens something near that this time also. Now this vid. actually does help me not doing a mistake like this things` .
There is one exception, no? AIA. Someone can come along and take everything from you because they filed instead of you. Might be best to at least file something, even if it doesn't get issued/you don't go for non-prov where applicable. Gotta be first to file. I could be misunderstanding AIA but, that's the way I seem to understand it.
Hi , I had an idea made a prototype and went to inventhelp, the person I met he kept calling me to move forward with the idea, but then after about 8 months I see the same product in the market. What do I do, please help. Thank you
Thanks. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Kevin, I would be conservative and file a PPA unless you have a lot of experience and know when you can not file one. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
soooo what do Apple to protect that iphone so much because if i steal it im out of here sued and glued if its not the patent they have then what is it. the video is a great idea but you said alot without saying anything at all
What about technology devvelopment like in RF chips designs ?? Should one get a patent if someone come up with a new technology or new way to design chips ?
Was the settlement worth the wait? Knowing you can get a worthwhile settlement if you get a patent is huge for your viewers as then the patent is worth while, so if you could share that aspect it would much appreciated.
@@inventRight You were lucky Steve. Pre 2011 was the "golden age" of US inventing when it was very hard to challenge a patent, lawyers acted on contingency, NDAs actually meant something, injunctions could be obtained and enforced and jury patent trials were the standard. If you sued LEGO today they would likely take you to the PTAB and invalidate all your patents. You probably wouldn't stand a chance in front of that kangaroo court. Because lets face it, that's what it really is.
You're welcome. Keep inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
I have a good idea but dont have the process of making the product. Mold plastic and wiring. It is very simple but I'm not sure what to do about it. I sketched my own idea and emailed it to myself in a pass worded zip file until I can figure out what to do with it :(
@@inventRight I've also read that if you mail it to yourself through the USPS post office it gets stamped with a federal seal and makes it legal. Im just trying to get started instead of just letting it sit in the back of my head.
I found a patent for measuring airflow in a duct using differential pressure to determine flow rate. There is already existing prior art in this arena as well as a device which has been on the open market for 20 years with the same description. People have been measuring airflow with the exact same technique for many years. I want to develop my own airflow instrument using the same tried and true principles and am worried about being sued. Should I just sell it and hope I don't get sued?
I have an idea to resolve a problem for a major automaker. I am seeing owners posting the problem on youtube constantly. The clever idea for a product I came up with is geneious and rather simplistic. Where do I start? Thanks
Thank you Steven and Andrew for the information! I’ve heard you mention Steven at one point in some video that you contacted a patent owner about a patent they have out there and talked with them to see why they never step forward with it. I’m curious how I can get a hold of them. Also If I can, what is the best respectful approach? I’ve been looking at google patents and I’m seeing names but not any contact information.
I've heard that there are multi-billion dollar companies that don't even have patents on their products . From what I heard from attorneys but I don't know if it's true.
Where do we start??.. I have an idea. What is the best protection???... Can you recommend a good attorney as well as design/ manufacturer company?. Ty!
@@inventRight But the patent regulation had changed. Before it was first to invent but you still have to prove you're the first to invent that invention. Now the US patent regulation stated, it's first to file. So before applying patent for your invention, never reveal it to others.
Great video Stephen. Perhaps you can make another explaining to all these poor folks exactly what the PTAB is and why there's little point in getting a patent if you can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to defend it at the PTAB. Even then there's no guarantee you will get to keep your patent or at least the claims that matter. The US patent system is really broken.
Easy. People are getting this completely wrong. The problem is not defending your patent. The problem is how do you create and commercialize a product that people actually want and will buy. A very small I mean really small percent of independent inventors will land in PTAB. If you land in PTAB congratulations! You actually have a product that people want.
@@inventRight Not quite sure what your saying Stephen. If you create a product that people actually want then naturally you'll want to have the monopoly on that and so you obtain a patent. Once you have a successful product then you will soon attract the attention of infringers. You then try to fend them off by asserting your patent rights at which point you'll soon be 'invited' to attend an IPR at the PTAB. What do you do then? This is the reality of inventing today. It's not how it was when you started out my friend. The game has changed. It's gotten more vicious.
It’s hard to protect anything today. Even Apple cannot protect the iPhone. What chances do you think anybody has? Patents are just words. And those words can be interpreted differently at different times. From a patent attorney, patent examiner, infringer, a judge or jury. And because of this, it’s hard, regardless how much money you have to sue. It’s a very very slippery slope. And the chances of you landing in PTAB one in 1 million. So I wouldn’t worry about it. That shouldn’t stop anyone. So sell first,and sell fast. Most products of a very, very short lifespan. That’s why product licensing is the smartest thing to do. Leverage the power of the company’s relationships with retailers. And those companies have a legal team to help. But being afraid you won’t be able to collect all of the profits is absolutely ridiculous. It’s just business. Be smart, be fast! And I believe the only court that matters is the court of public opinion. So build an audience, build a great brand that people stand behind. That’s the best protection, licensing, and building a brand. With this strategy, I use patents as a selling tool, not a protection tool. Thank you so much for engaging me in this conversation. I’m just trying to give people a little reality here. I get to see licensing agreements happing all the time. And guess what? There’s no patents.
Over 90% of these product ideas selling today their is no intellectual property issued. They’re not being infringed. They’re not landing in PTAB. And yes, a few have copycats. That’s a good thing. It’s a sign that they have a great product. inventright.com/buyers-guide/
I suppose some of that makes sense if you are inventing faddish or trendy products or designs that have a short market lifespan anyway. No point in patenting those. What if you are inventing a new type of gadget or device that could disrupt the industry? Then you will need a patent. You make things sound easy by saying we should just find a great licensee. The truth is that today it's the licensees who are ripping off startups and loan inventors. Often big companies approach startups who are showing off great tech at trade shows and on social media pretending to want to license their tech when really they just want to steal it. Social media won't save you when Apple has just stolen your multi-million dollar idea and are intent on destroying your business before it even gets off the ground. You will find that social media has very little loyalty. Just look at what is happening with Apple and Masimo. Social media doesn't seem to care that Apple have ripped off Joe Kiani and tried to destroy his business through lengthy and expensive litigation. All people seem to care about is when they can buy the latest Apple watch containing stolen intellectual property. I would agree that social media is great for advertising and spreading the word but don't expect it to save you when the sharks come after you.
I have a revolutionary idea and I’m here because I want to start finding a way of acting on the idea. This will change the life of many people nationwide and beyond. I need help.
True - companies can & do infringe. I had to sue Mattel, Spiral Toys (Cloud Pets) & Toy Talk, Inc in the Southern & Northern District of California. (HASHEM blessed me with legal aptitude in 2014 - met with Stanford Law School in 2016 - timing wasn't right ⚖) I handled the cases ProSe. Litigation and intellectual property attorneys are not cheap haha. You are a rare case getting an attorney on contingency - most major toy companies know individual/small time inventors cannot afford protracted legal battles in Federal Court (hundreds of thousands of dollars ) PS per Prior Art - a patent will never go to issuance if there is Prior Art. My #12/659,756 patent was published. Had some toy companies "Jam" it from issuance Congrats Steve on settling 👏
Hi, learn a lot from you, Thank you, i have a Question... If i have an Idea and Execute the Product can someone come later Patent and Sue Me...? because i didnt Patent before...
@@portagepete1 you and a lot of other people. It was done many years ago. We sold 10 of millions of these labels, but that’s still a drop in the bucket .
But without the patent and the subsequent NDA, you would have NOTHING. You DID "settle" with LEGO. They didn't just TAKE your invention for free. Failing to get a patent for a novel idea that could be profitable and has great potential is LAZY. If you think you are changing the way things are done, and you do a CBA and it comes out well "in the black" GET A PATENT.
I talked to an inventor the other day that said they had their idea stolen from a company they showed their idea to. They said they showed it to the company two weeks prior and now it's on their site. I said how could a company possibly knock your product off and have a finished product up on their site in two weeks. They were quiet. I'm not saying someone didn't steal your idea as i don't know the facts of your situation, but please use common sense before deciding someone stole your idea. This is not so much just for you, but for anyone reading this. Hope this helps. And if someone did outright steal your idea, i'm sorry. That really sucks. It's not common at all but it does happen sometimes of course. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
My patents were on manufacturing. The spin label had been patented over 70 years ago. And yes, they had a different way to manufacture it. They were very clever.
if you make a u tube video showing and explaining your idea, Doesnt that prove that you are the original creator of that invention.. because it has an upload date .ALSO what if you started selling it on an ETSY online store... would that protect the original creator ?
I've been an inventor, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of hundreds of professional technical tools for more than 50-years and have never applied for a patent on a single one! In the 80's I read an article from a fellow inventor stating the following: patents provide zero protection, they provide only one thing, the precedent to sue an infringer in a court of law. If you do not have the sizeable money to pay an attorney to bring this lawsuit to court, attorneys will rarely if ever, take a patent infringement case on contingency, unless it provides multiple millions of dollars for the attorney. In addition, if you do not bring suit against every infringer on your patent, you will lose the ability to bring suit after only one year! This is why I've never applied for a patent, I simply marketed my products with a money back guarantee of utility, and at a reasonable price for the marketplace. David Riddle
@@HowToHomeLife thank you so much, David!
Thank you!
❤
But others can also make or copy your product shortly, how can you avoid this possibility? Pls teach me
David you are the man. I want to invent and this message was very inspiring. Thank you brother.
Hello Steven, this is Tweetie Dao, one of your original regular guests in Palo Alto , CA almost 20 years ago. I even held Andrew's Baby while he was at the signing table or on stage... It's so miraculous and amazing that I was just hanging up a call with a Patent Attorney named Ray W. in Alabama who advised me to contact you guys and get help with my many ideas. What You are talking here is exactly what he told me just 10+ ago about patents are not needed....I will contact your company next week. Have a great weekend and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO YOU , ANDREW AND OTHER FATHERS IN YOUR COMPANY!
Hello Tweetie, I hope you’re doing well. 20 years ago holy cow! Let’s talk whenever it’s convenient. Have a wonderful weekend.
Time flies when you’re having a blast!
If it's rocket ship technology technically you need a patent. I hear ya I think your Right!
Patents are still required by most investors whether they can be infringed|/worked around or not!
You said it very well. Patents give you the right to sue other people. Nothing more nothing less. Practically this means you also need the financial resources to do so. Trademarks are a very similar story, in that case you even have to actively "hunt" other companies otherwise you can even lose the trademark.
Right, patents just give you the right to own your invention, without fear of getting sued
Im currently stressing and seriously considering trying to patent a clothing closure idea, but the more i read and watch about it, I dont think its worth the money and the stress. Its not even that unique, and I know anyone could find a workaround if they wanted.
@@Toebex something to consider. If you don’t go forward. This video saved you about $20,000.
@@inventRight I barely have $200
This guy told me exactly what I wanted to hear. For I was looking for a way around getting a patent while still being protected. In which I thought about using social media for exposure, plus being the one(the inventor) to release it into the market for several months, and doing a whole lot of other things(outside of patents) to prove that I'm the inventor. So thank you, TH-cam content inventor for confirming what I was already thinking.
Still without a patent anyone can copy your invention and making better marketing, especially big companies....
@@selinane2Seli-zw3pz Since that comment was made I've did more research. In which I found out for $65 I can do a provisional patent application for further protection. That would add on to all of the things I said in my original comment. And of course big companies can out market me, but I can put my marketing out first in a strong way to show I'm the original.
@@kobiecamp1134 the provisionnal patent application doesn't give you any right if you don't push the process further (non provisionnal patent application, answer to official action, granted patent, extensions).
You just want to waste 65 dollars lol
How'd that work out for you?
@@CULtureKuriosity yea! Exactly. How d it go? We're all rooting for @Kobie
Thank you for the info. My question is about how to protect process inventions, inventions that don't have a product to manufacture and sell but rather show a new way to do something that is better and more cost-effective, saving the builder/user a lot of money.
In 1956 a new guitar pickup was released and to protect his design Seth Lover did not show a patent number on his pickup. Instead he put “Patent Applied For” or PAF so that his rivals and counterfeiters could not lookup the design in the Patents Office to copy it
@@STRATMINOR very clever!
Your words are GOLD.. THANK YOU. That what I was thinking, and you reinforced my decisions..
@@joezada3681 thank you for watching and commenting. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.
I like what you're doing for people. This is the first time I've watched you and I'm happy to say it won't be my last.
Thank you for the kind words Jonathan. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Thanks for all of your great videos Stephen!(and Andrew, Amy Jo, etc.!) After your webinar with Jim at Hangman Products, I decided to change the product I was focusing on. Yesterday, I submitted an idea to Jim with only a prototype video demonstration.. *fingers crossed
Wishing you good luck!
I think a patent is needed for no other reason than some other bigger player sees your idea and puts their own patent on it essentially locking you out of your own idea. If you have the patent at least you have options. 🤷♂️
In some situations, having a Patent does have value!
But you need a lot of money for the patent.
But am I right in saying that you can’t put a patent on a product that’s already been made public. So if your product is on the market or made public it’s not original anymore, sure they can copy it, but nobody else can patent it either, is that correct?
Thanks. Ive come up with an idea and need to know how to get started. Good info. Recommendations on where i can research if someone has already created it?
Did you ever find a resource for the search?
Stephen, thanks for the videos and the direction!
My pleasure!
(This is why you make you patents as BROAD as possible and make as many variations as you can think of.)
Bad advice!
@@RHYSDAVIDPOUNDCESTIQUEPoundli why is this bad advice?
No it wasnt
If not bad advice then at least dubious. If you are lucky you will get away with it. If you are unlucky at least two things can happen. One, the examiner may construe the multiple variations as separate inventions in their own right. This could put you in a very difficult position. Two, during litigation with an infringer your claims may be attacked as being to broad. Again, very difficult position to be in and those claims could likely be invalidated.
Guess what this is really a ridiculous backwoods kangaroo way to live.
" WHAT IF"
we went back 2 survival of the fittest????
COURT SUCKS!
Hi, so how to patent to protect inventions easily and confidently?
Thanks,
@@MeysamHoseini-pj9en they don’t.
They only give you the right to sue.
And suing someone is extremely time-consuming and expensive with no guarantee whatsoever.
Hi - great video and very informative.
One question though - if you want to license a product to a big company I assume you don't build a brand on social media before you do that? Can or should you do that?
Sometimes yes has sometimes no.
Every situation is a little bit different.
Just a heads up. Several companies on your list of companies interested into products that require a patent. Tovolo is the latest one that rejected my idea because I only have a PPA. "we will only consider using an invention if it is patented with a patented published number. Please submit the published patent number" (which means you have to have $5k-$20k to MIGHT be able to license a product which MIGHT make money)
That list badly needs to be updated and reviewed by your team. Some of the companies aren't taking ideas. If I might make a suggestion. It might be smart to update the list of companies that require a patent vs PPA.
Hi Craig. Our student Jay licensed an idea to Tovolo with only a provisional patent application. Companies change their policies all the time. Some companies would love to have a patent. For others intellectual property is not required. Please closely read what’s required to submit an idea to them. We're glad this free resource has been useful to you.
@@inventRight Thank you for the heads up. I didn't know these types of policies would change all that often. I was thinking that would've been a more static policy that might require a major event to change it.
Anyways, thank you for giving that resource for free. My plan is, since I don't have enough to really afford the membership options at this time. My hope is that I can land a good deal with a company, and reinvest that. Part of that hopefully will allow me to become a student since I have a number of things I made in the past that I never had a chance to put it within my online stores, and I would like to see if they can be licensed if I can take it to a company with real infrastructure and distribution.
@@TheAIKnowledgeHub Tovolo was acquired by Spectrum and that's why their policy changed.
My dad was head of Product Development for Bear Archery back in the 70s. Fifty years ago he stated that patents merely gave you a right to sue. He also said that the key to making money on a good idea was to keep it quiet, put it on the market rapidly, make large profits from the early adopters, then start cutting prices as your competition starts to put copies on the market. Since you've amortized your investment, and they haven't, you'll still retain and advantageous position. Then, be ready to dump the product and move onto something new when profitability drops.
@@kenhelmick5149 your dad was a smart man. Thank you for commenting and sharing!
Don't be fearful be careful !
Patents can be worked around. I have an utility model of a fast charging system on mobile phones, but HMD global (Nokia) stole the design. The stolen design is on the Nokia G22
Yes, I would agree! Patents can be worked around.
Is changing a design slightly or changing some material used on the patented product legal?
If you change the actual mechanical operation of an patented product, does that constitute it being a new idea, even though it still works the same way somewhat and much easier to use?
Maybe. You would have to look at the intellectual property that’s already filed to see if you found something they did not think of or have claims on.
@@inventRight I appreciate your feedback as well as everyone else's. I have went to a lot of high-end retailers and just asked a question if they sold or ever heard of something like what I asked and several actually laughed and that makes me determined even more to succeed, but nothing means as much to me without the actual working product in my hand. Even though I might be the actual first person to ever own one and not be able to have it patented. My dream would have still came true, regardless!!
Wonderful do not stop!
Top guy.
I read your book ‘One Simple Idea’.
Thank you for reading! What did you think?
In the past for many years I haven't been paid the amount of money I earned and most of the time I have done casual work or just work as a mechanic at my leisure. However, very valuable work, honestly. So I think time has come to bring some change with it. Change needed, honestly.
Just do it!
Well, it protected you enough to sue Lego, didn’t it?
@@viralocity_oficial extremely time-consuming and expensive.
Wouldn’t recommend it and wouldn’t do it again.
Good video. Entrance into the subject. Thanks!
Thank you for watching!
Having a patent does give you some legal rights for example someone can't prevent you from selling the item if you've got the rights to it
People can always sue you regardless.
Patents are just words. And those words can be interpreted differently from different people. From judges, a jury to a patent examiner or the licensee.
Just gives you the right to sue.
Inventions hardly exist now because I'd argue that most inventions are variations of what already exists - though not all of them. I think a design type patent is the new hybrid (not talking about a design registration - talking about a variation of a design to make it function more efficiently, universally or have more adaptability. Look at pochade boxes or folding palettes - there's so much prior art that predict their future design....
I guess my only concern about what you said. “License it to the biggest player”.. is that that top dog is going to be able to flood the market with my idea, before ive had a chance to speak. Not sure why he would be the person to share it with. in the hopes it doesnt get stolen. So patent it previous, in the absolute hope they dont steal it? 🤔
@@vjiggy81 it’s not about patents. It’s about knowledge.
@ i have a ton to learn. Not even sure, if i should release my idea then.
@@vjiggy81 keep watching the videos.
Hello Sir, I have invented a mechanical automatic toy that is not available in the market, please tell me should I go for a patent or simply approach a large company in this field,I also fear that if I demonstrate the details to the company they might copy it and release the product in the market.
This is fantastic advice. I was letting the fear of IP theft prevent me from continuing the development cycle for my software. I think what matters more is helping people by going to market with my product, moreso than worrying about trying to protect it in court, which is too much hassle.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
It depends on what the "Subject" is being patented, as to what a Patent will Protect. :) Most companies won't steal ideas in the fear of being sued or having to sue back.
Very true!
I wouldn’t agree.
"Most companies won't steal ideas in the fear of being sued or having to sue back." I guess you never heard of the PTAB.
I think the biggest problem today for companies is looking poorly on social media.
Takes years to establish trust and only a couple bad reviews to destroy it .
Damn… I’m too late. I filed a patent months ago. Well… let’s see what happens. I invested way too much now to just give up and lose hope
Thank you for this video. I have an educational patent out pending right now. I wanted to sell the idea but dont have much money. So this was a great eye opener in a good way of what to avoid. I'm not trying to get rich, just educate people with my invention and might have to go sell it myself. Social media definitely has influence if the internet doesnt filter us. Thank you!
Hi, You will make more money by getting paid royalties every three months (quarterly) than you ever would selling your invention outright. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
I was thinking about that too. But something came across my mind was to sell it and just get the royalties from it. I really don't want to deal with the headaches that comes with it. I will be on the low while collecting checks. I plan to use social media for bait to get the product out there. Market it well once it kicks off well then big companies I'll reach out to then for a offer to sale. That's my plan. Much success to you and I know you will do Awesome!! Let's get it!!
how do you contact those companies if you want to license a idea you have?
Keep watching the videos we go over this topic and great detail. Thank you so much.
I have an idea, I will have a prototype in 1 week. Do you recommend selling my product and market-testing it first? or paying for a patent first?
This is the same question my wife and I are asking ourselves about our idea. Have gotten any responses from anyone? Or how did you proceed? Thank you.
File a provisional patent first @ uspto first for micro status it goes for around 70$, this gives you protection for 12months, then you can go for the main application this will give you time to know if your idea works or not.
This is great advice! Thank you!
Your so welcome. Let us know if you need help. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
If someone is going to challenge your invention and you vent afford to fight it they can steal your invention and not much you can do about it. Now I'm reluctant to even try to get a patent. I need help making the prototype so how am I going to do that without getting my invention stolen?
We can help; contact us. You can also watch the many videos and read the many articles we've written on how to retain your ownership of your creativity and get paid for it.
find a reliable company in which you sign a non disclosure agreement and pay for a prototype yourself
@@lauriejterbush that wont work with China
I have an awesome idea on a great invention. I can't disclose details. But my concern is whom do I present my idea to and they will not steal it. Should I contact an attorney first and if so what will be my next steps. Thanks for the videos
I’m on the same page. Did you find any info on how to protect the idea from being stolen?
@@ceciargueta9332 yes, I googled
@@entertainment-byiamscyence What did you end up doing?
This is why I never bothered pursuing one for any of the original ideas I had. Without the desire to develop and produce the items/products myself nor the resources to protect my IP if I did (if that's even possible with countries that operate in China), they would just be expensive plaques to hang on the wall and I have plenty of art for that.
Most products that get licensed there’s no issue Patents. People aren’t sharing this type of information….it’s too bad.
Yes, sir. Thank you for sharing.
Hi.. Can a method be patented?? Not a physical product..
No
@@secondskinfillers8709 Watch "Stanford law professor discusses the current state of intellectual property" on TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/NPSha5ZZUwk/w-d-xo.html
at this point i believe a patent for me is solely for personal accomplishments. a plaque on the wall. something to add to your legacy. because actually having the resources to defend yourself many individuals don't have those espc. micro inventors. I had no idea people could challenge your invention thats seriously a game changer. Copycats alibaba etc.. Atleast the outreach from social media worldwide people will know who the genuine creator was. This is truly an eye opener thanks for this video.
@@SewHoustonUniversity I completely understand. I’m very proud of my patents!
Ty for being open about ur hard time to help us, i learn the hard way too. That`s why i`m here watching this vid before it happens something near that this time also. Now this vid. actually does help me not doing a mistake like this things` .
There is one exception, no? AIA. Someone can come along and take everything from you because they filed instead of you. Might be best to at least file something, even if it doesn't get issued/you don't go for non-prov where applicable. Gotta be first to file. I could be misunderstanding AIA but, that's the way I seem to understand it.
Hi , I had an idea made a prototype and went to inventhelp, the person I met he kept calling me to move forward with the idea, but then after about 8 months I see the same product in the market. What do I do, please help. Thank you
I don’t know what I can do to help you.
Thank you so much for this information it gave me much confidence. 💜
Wonderful!
If patents don't ultimately protect, what process is the most efficient way to protect an idea or an app?
First to market. License your idea to a large company. Building a large community of raging fans. The fight today is in the court of public opinion.
If I have some ideas, and I send it to Walmart, and Walmart make it in my way of invention, could I use the email to sue them?
wow! such a great video! What you are saying really adds value for people who want to engage in these kind of activities!
Thanks. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Glad I research before I research before I uhh etc.etc. lol thanks for the info brother!
Wonderful!
Steve, what details do I exclude from conversation with potential licensee without a PPA? I can’t find the video where you discussed this.
Kevin, I would be conservative and file a PPA unless you have a lot of experience and know when you can not file one. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
@@inventRight I remember it maybe being said to exclude how the invention works if no PPA. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
soooo what do Apple to protect that iphone so much because if i steal it im out of here sued and glued if its not the patent they have then what is it. the video is a great idea but you said alot without saying anything at all
What about technology devvelopment like in RF chips designs ?? Should one get a patent if someone come up with a new technology or new way to design chips ?
Was the settlement worth the wait? Knowing you can get a worthwhile settlement if you get a patent is huge for your viewers as then the patent is worth while, so if you could share that aspect it would much appreciated.
It’s painful. Yes it was worth it.
@@inventRight You were lucky Steve. Pre 2011 was the "golden age" of US inventing when it was very hard to challenge a patent, lawyers acted on contingency, NDAs actually meant something, injunctions could be obtained and enforced and jury patent trials were the standard. If you sued LEGO today they would likely take you to the PTAB and invalidate all your patents. You probably wouldn't stand a chance in front of that kangaroo court. Because lets face it, that's what it really is.
Thank you for the video 👍
You're welcome. Keep inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Great video! Greetings from Iran. 👋
Thank you for watching!
So if I make cars different and more unique and patent this and that they can still copy it after my car is in production
Why is nobody telling us this. This should be first when u search patent.
Great question. We've been writing about this for many years.
VERY GOOD INFO!! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!
Thank you!
THANKS
I have a good idea but dont have the process of making the product. Mold plastic and wiring. It is very simple but I'm not sure what to do about it. I sketched my own idea and emailed it to myself in a pass worded zip file until I can figure out what to do with it :(
Mail it to yourself? That doesn’t protect yourself.
@@inventRight Well it proves a date I had the idea before there was anything else like it. But yea I dont know much about what I am doing as of now.
@@inventRight I've also read that if you mail it to yourself through the USPS post office it gets stamped with a federal seal and makes it legal. Im just trying to get started instead of just letting it sit in the back of my head.
Unfortunately, it’s not true.
I found a patent for measuring airflow in a duct using differential pressure to determine flow rate. There is already existing prior art in this arena as well as a device which has been on the open market for 20 years with the same description. People have been measuring airflow with the exact same technique for many years. I want to develop my own airflow instrument using the same tried and true principles and am worried about being sued. Should I just sell it and hope I don't get sued?
I would consult with a patent attorney.
I have an idea to resolve a problem for a major automaker. I am seeing owners posting the problem on youtube constantly. The clever idea for a product I came up with is geneious and rather simplistic. Where do I start? Thanks
Thank you Steven and Andrew for the information! I’ve heard you mention Steven at one point in some video that you contacted a patent owner about a patent they have out there and talked with them to see why they never step forward with it. I’m curious how I can get a hold of them. Also If I can, what is the best respectful approach? I’ve been looking at google patents and I’m seeing names but not any contact information.
Reach out to the law firm.It should be on the patent.
I've heard that there are multi-billion dollar companies that don't even have patents on their products . From what I heard from attorneys but I don't know if it's true.
Yes that is totally true. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
Great advice 👏
Thank you!
-Stephen
Where do we start??.. I have an idea. What is the best protection???... Can you recommend a good attorney as well as design/ manufacturer company?. Ty!
Me too
If you have a great invention but no patent, someone may happened to file a patent for it and he can prevent you from doing anything with it
Are you speaking from personal experience? In our 20 years of helping inventors, we've never had an inventor experience this scenario.
@@inventRight Legally this can happened.
@@inventRight happens all the time in petrochemical and oil/gas industries
It’s really first to invent regardless if there’s a Patent or not.
@@inventRight But the patent regulation had changed. Before it was first to invent but you still have to prove you're the first to invent that invention. Now the US patent regulation stated, it's first to file. So before applying patent for your invention, never reveal it to others.
Excellent Video
Thank you for watching and commenting!
very good videos as always old man
Thank you!
i left something out on my ppa that i already filed... what should i do? file another?
If it’s important I would consider it. I’m not giving legal advice.
Great video Stephen. Perhaps you can make another explaining to all these poor folks exactly what the PTAB is and why there's little point in getting a patent if you can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to defend it at the PTAB. Even then there's no guarantee you will get to keep your patent or at least the claims that matter. The US patent system is really broken.
Easy. People are getting this completely wrong. The problem is not defending your patent. The problem is how do you create and commercialize a product that people actually want and will buy.
A very small I mean really small percent of independent inventors will land in PTAB.
If you land in PTAB congratulations!
You actually have a product that people want.
@@inventRight Not quite sure what your saying Stephen. If you create a product that people actually want then naturally you'll want to have the monopoly on that and so you obtain a patent. Once you have a successful product then you will soon attract the attention of infringers. You then try to fend them off by asserting your patent rights at which point you'll soon be 'invited' to attend an IPR at the PTAB. What do you do then? This is the reality of inventing today. It's not how it was when you started out my friend. The game has changed. It's gotten more vicious.
It’s hard to protect anything today.
Even Apple cannot protect the iPhone.
What chances do you think anybody has?
Patents are just words.
And those words can be interpreted differently at different times.
From a patent attorney, patent examiner, infringer, a judge or jury.
And because of this, it’s hard, regardless how much money you have to sue.
It’s a very very slippery slope.
And the chances of you landing in PTAB one in 1 million.
So I wouldn’t worry about it.
That shouldn’t stop anyone. So sell first,and sell fast.
Most products of a very, very short lifespan.
That’s why product licensing is the smartest thing to do.
Leverage the power of the company’s relationships with retailers. And those companies have a legal team to help.
But being afraid you won’t be able to collect all of the profits is absolutely ridiculous.
It’s just business.
Be smart, be fast!
And I believe the only court that matters is the court of public opinion.
So build an audience, build a great brand that people stand behind.
That’s the best protection, licensing, and building a brand.
With this strategy, I use patents as a selling tool, not a protection tool.
Thank you so much for engaging me in this conversation.
I’m just trying to give people a little reality here.
I get to see licensing agreements happing all the time. And guess what? There’s no patents.
Over 90% of these product ideas selling today their is no intellectual property issued. They’re not being infringed. They’re not landing in PTAB.
And yes, a few have copycats.
That’s a good thing. It’s a sign that they have a great product.
inventright.com/buyers-guide/
I suppose some of that makes sense if you are inventing faddish or trendy products or designs that have a short market lifespan anyway. No point in patenting those. What if you are inventing a new type of gadget or device that could disrupt the industry? Then you will need a patent. You make things sound easy by saying we should just find a great licensee. The truth is that today it's the licensees who are ripping off startups and loan inventors. Often big companies approach startups who are showing off great tech at trade shows and on social media pretending to want to license their tech when really they just want to steal it. Social media won't save you when Apple has just stolen your multi-million dollar idea and are intent on destroying your business before it even gets off the ground. You will find that social media has very little loyalty. Just look at what is happening with Apple and Masimo. Social media doesn't seem to care that Apple have ripped off Joe Kiani and tried to destroy his business through lengthy and expensive litigation. All people seem to care about is when they can buy the latest Apple watch containing stolen intellectual property. I would agree that social media is great for advertising and spreading the word but don't expect it to save you when the sharks come after you.
That's right ! But being granted a patent proves that the invention belongs to whom ! This is very useful for the startup venture afterwards !
thank you for this video. i have hopes for utility patents and will keep your wisdom close at hand.
This guy: I'll get to that in just a minute
The minute:
So its a good idea to video record with timestamps your invention perhaps with a newspaper print?
I have a revolutionary idea and I’m here because I want to start finding a way of acting on the idea. This will change the life of many people nationwide and beyond. I need help.
We're here to help: inventright.com/contact
Call me Zek
As Don Lancaster pointed out, patents only give the incentot the right to sue. Protection depends on who can afford the best lawyers
True - companies can & do infringe. I had to sue Mattel, Spiral Toys (Cloud Pets) & Toy Talk, Inc in the Southern & Northern District of California. (HASHEM blessed me with legal aptitude in 2014 - met with Stanford Law School in 2016 - timing wasn't right ⚖) I handled the cases ProSe. Litigation and intellectual property attorneys are not cheap haha. You are a rare case getting an attorney on contingency - most major toy companies know individual/small time inventors cannot afford protracted legal battles in Federal Court (hundreds of thousands of dollars )
PS per Prior Art - a patent will never go to issuance if there is Prior Art. My #12/659,756 patent was published. Had some toy companies "Jam" it from issuance
Congrats Steve on settling 👏
How did you cases turn out?
What do you mean by “jam it?”
You need good ideas and good pricing
thank you so much !
Well many people don’t want to bother with someone suing them so, so that has value
Hi, learn a lot from you, Thank you, i have a Question... If i have an Idea and Execute the Product can someone come later Patent and Sue Me...? because i didnt Patent before...
Rotating label I have no idea what that is never heard of it and still don't know.
@@portagepete1 you and a lot of other people. It was done many years ago.
We sold 10 of millions of these labels, but that’s still a drop in the bucket .
But without the patent and the subsequent NDA, you would have NOTHING. You DID "settle" with LEGO. They didn't just TAKE your invention for free. Failing to get a patent for a novel idea that could be profitable and has great potential is LAZY. If you think you are changing the way things are done, and you do a CBA and it comes out well "in the black" GET A PATENT.
Very interesting.
You may be lucky to hear that voice from your head as i did,maybe giving you the thumbs up for your creation.
Thank you for watching!
THANK YOU SIR
thanks
I think this video could be more popular with title like WHY I SUED LEGO.
Good idea thank you!
"I'm not sad that they stole my idea, I'm sad that they don't have any original ideas of their own."
-unknown
I talked to an inventor the other day that said they had their idea stolen from a company they showed their idea to. They said they showed it to the company two weeks prior and now it's on their site. I said how could a company possibly knock your product off and have a finished product up on their site in two weeks. They were quiet. I'm not saying someone didn't steal your idea as i don't know the facts of your situation, but please use common sense before deciding someone stole your idea. This is not so much just for you, but for anyone reading this. Hope this helps. And if someone did outright steal your idea, i'm sorry. That really sucks. It's not common at all but it does happen sometimes of course. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
I'm curious what the work around was that made Lego able to steal your idea or improve it cause that's some BS TBH.
My patents were on manufacturing. The spin label had been patented over 70 years ago. And yes, they had a different way to manufacture it. They were very clever.
Hay jimmy nice talking with you guys
Design parents are not about words, they are about pictures.
if you make a u tube video showing and explaining your idea, Doesnt that prove that you are the original creator of that invention.. because it has an upload date .ALSO what if you started selling it on an ETSY online store... would that protect the original creator ?
I guess it remains a mystery!
Can you patent something that is patented by another person in another country?
Can you create a new product from another product as a source? What sort of arrangement can you make with a company to do this?