I want to license my product, but I would like to protect it

[rocksolid]

So I have a great idea for a new container of a current product. The problem is I can't get a provional patent for a design so how do i go about protecting it? I have looked at one of the companies that I would pitch the idea to and they have some jargan about how I can pitch the idea and they may already be working on the same idea and I am SOL. Is there a way to protect myself? Do I just try adn get them to sign something before we talk about it?

 

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[Michael ingram]

Curious, how did your grill handles do?

 

[Vigilante]

Read one simple idea by Stephen key

 

[rocksolid]

Curious, how did your grill handles do?

Hi Michael,

My grill handles did ok. I still have a full time job, but I was able to get them into about 45 stores nation wide and I even sold a bunch to a charcoal company last season to use as give a ways.

 

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[rocksolid]

Read one simple idea by Stephen key

Hi Vig,
I have the book and went through it. It talks about patents but I can only patent a design, I can't do a provisional patent for one.

 

[TedM]

I have looked at one of the companies that I would pitch the idea to and they have some jargan about how I can pitch the idea and they may already be working on the same idea and I am SOL.

if you read Stephen's book - reread it. He's pretty clear that companies don't rip you off - it's just not worth it. Of course they say they may be working on the idea - because it's true!

But - you have two choices: keep it a secret or take the business risk of getting it in front of a company. It's not going to do you any good in your drawer.

Remember Stephen's first product - the Michael Jordan wall ball? No patent on that one.

 

[rocksolid]

I plan on presenting it once I have a proto built. I will be opening up to some big companies and that is my worry. My idea is a new way to serve a food item and I am also concerned that if I protect my design which comes in a round tube that the company I am presenting to will pass and then do the same idea but in a square tube, could that even happen? You are right, keeping the idea to myself is pointless.

 

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[TedM]

the company I am presenting to will pass and then do the same idea but in a square tube

so, the scenario is - "hey, great idea! instead of paying this guy $0.04 per container, we'll just go around his neat idea and make it a bit different"

No way! It's so not worth it to them - to chance having the internet plastered with copies of your email to them and pictures comparing and all the bad PR... The last thing a big company wants is to feed the "Goliath beats up David" image.

If it was me, I'd document what you've done, keep copies of mails, etc. - but - life's too short. You'll have other better ideas if this one doesn't work out.

 

[rocksolid]

Thanks Ted, good Advice.

 

[Papillon]

Take pictures of your product, ad a brief description and load it onto a CD and copyright it.

What I did recently for a project was: 'a poor mans copyright' which IS legal in the UK, according to the UK governments website.

For some reason it's NOT legal in the USA, however its not that expensive to get done.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_man's_copyright

 

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[Papillon]

Read one simple idea by Stephen key

GREAT Book!

BTW, For those not on Stephen key's /inventright.com mailing list he's coming out with a new book :
"Sell Your Ideas Without A Patent"

...just what the OP and us inventing folks need!