The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Modify/Improve a Patented Item

pamaboy

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
33%
Jan 19, 2021
3
1
Hi all,

I'm finishing up reading UNSCRIPTED at the moment (it's been an amazing journey through every page) and have some questions in Chapter 35. Here, MJ explains 13 ways of finding the 'fastline' ideas. #13 discusses improvement (and removement) opportunities. I've had a couple of ideas on improving some items in the past, but was very hesitant to pursue the idea because I was not sure how I find out if the modifications that I'm thinking of is an infringement of the patented items.

What really defines a patent infringement and how much modification is needed to avoid it? I hate the idea of giving up a modification thought just because I'm scared of a patent infringement, but at the same time, I don't want to violate anything (ha).

Any inputs are welcome. Thanks in advance! :)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

TheKingOfMadrid

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
265%
Dec 14, 2020
127
336
You need to look at the patent and see exactly what it covers. They can be very broad as in application or they can be quite specific as in design. You can usually search for the patent through the various online resource portals.

A product based angel investor worth their salt would have a rough guess too, if you can find one with enough time to help you.
 

pamaboy

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
33%
Jan 19, 2021
3
1
You need to look at the patent and see exactly what it covers. They can be very broad as in application or they can be quite specific as in design. You can usually search for the patent through the various online resource portals.

A product based angel investor worth their salt would have a rough guess too, if you can find one with enough time to help you.
Thanks for the response! The thing is, so many patents are very vague and as you mentioned, covers the application which makes any modification difficult without impacting the patent itself. I guess cleanest way would be to not deal with patented items in the first place. (But it seems like every little thing in the world is patented in this era lol)
 

TheKingOfMadrid

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
265%
Dec 14, 2020
127
336
Thanks for the response! The thing is, so many patents are very vague and as you mentioned, covers the application which makes any modification difficult without impacting the patent itself. I guess cleanest way would be to not deal with patented items in the first place. (But it seems like every little thing in the world is patented in this era lol)
Yes and often purposely so the ambiguity may be used against competition later on.

But I think if you really majorly altered a product in both design and function and had a cheap prototype, people would be willing to help you more with the patent stuff.

There can be quite a few variables when it comes to patents.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

pamaboy

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
33%
Jan 19, 2021
3
1
Yes and often purposely so the ambiguity may be used against competition later on.

But I think if you really majorly altered a product in both design and function and had a cheap prototype, people would be willing to help you more with the patent stuff.

There can be quite a few variables when it comes to patents.
Got it, thank you for the valuable input! :)
 

BrianLateStart

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
182%
Jun 11, 2019
98
178
Horseheads, NY
As mentioned it's difficult to find out how well it's protected unless you have someone very familiar with patents look it over. Even if your expert decides that you can make your modification a certain way and it won't violate the patent, the patent owner may disagree and you could be in for an expensive battle to prove it doesn't violate it.

Patents are expensive and you have to patent it in every country you want it protected. is it worth it to enter it in a market in another country where the patent isn't covered?
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top