Messages

1

Patent Questions and Advice / Suggestion

« on: December 01, 2014, 01:13:03 PM »

Hey Brad. I have a suggestion to add to the. Uhm. To the webpage where you explain stuff to the members who buy the service. The page with the template link and the videos and the explanation. You know what I'm talking about.

Anyway. Last night I was filing a provisional patent. Started on USTPO website around ~12:48 AM or so. (It was December 1st already for us East Coasters. I live in NY)

So I filled my name and address in and uploaded the files, and I'm on the "Review" page, clicking the PDF links to make sure they're correct. Suddenly one of the PDF links to a new tab with a 404 error. (It's ~1 AM.) I go back a step in the filing process using the tabs on the top and my current filing information is lost and it starts me over at the very first page where you have to enter your name and patent type. And I have to re-enter all of the information.

I'm not sure if this is because it was a specific time, or because it was a change of date/month, or something like that. I didn't refresh the page or wait too long on any page or anything like that, and my internet didn't die.

So I just refilled everything and paid and it worked out fine.

I just suggest adding a disclaimer for other members to see that, "When filing if you're using the USTPO website around midnight or 1 AM or during a month change, be careful when the clock strikes a new hour because the website becomes funny and may make you start the filing process all over."

It's not really a big deal to re-enter the information, but it might become weird when entering credit card info or if you end up submitting the patent and like the website wants to give you two different confirmation/patent numbers or something.

Just a suggestion to help others out.

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PatentFile Website Questions and Reviews / PatentFile Review

« on: December 01, 2014, 01:00:16 PM »

Hey guys. I just wanted to give a review of PatentFile.org's service for anyone who is curious.

For reference, I bought Provisional Basic package in the summer of 2013, and I've had it for ~1.5 years in my pocket until I figured out exactly what it was that I wanted to patent. To my surprise, having recently relooked at prices, that basic package costs $150 now. I paid $85 when I bought it. You guys really should jump on this opportunity now, because you never know what's going to happen. You don't know how glad I am that I bought it when I did even if I didn't use it immediately.

As for what you get with the Basic package, first you get a microsoft word document that serves as a template you fill in for your own patent. It was everything in the order the patent office requires, and it has comments explaining formatting and what each section should do. You also get access to a web page on this website that has detailed instructions for every part of the patent (including videos with examples), as well as a couple of sections on other files you have to prepare for the patent office and how you actually file the patent (videos included).

But is the service actually worth it? Absolutely.

I've looked at other online resources and there are some other templates out there, but none of them are specific enough to really be helpful. You can kind of blind guess what you can put in each section and maybe it'll work, but with PatentFile you know exactly what to write, how long each section should be, what to do to make the patent stronger, and really most importantly how to actually file the patent and the accompanying documents. Even if it was possible to blindly write the patent based on random free google advice, dealing with USTPO website is a nightmare, especially with the extra documents you have to prepare. Brad links everything you're going to need, shows you how to fill the documents out, and guides you through that process step by step so that nothing is unclear and you know exactly what to do.

If you're thinking of filing a patent or if you think you'll have an invention idea any time in the future, I really do recommend getting this service. It's completely worth it.

Thanks Brad.

3

Patent Questions and Advice / Re: Multiple or single provisional?

« on: October 15, 2014, 11:52:24 PM »

I have a question about this splitting.

Let's say we were filing a provisional patent for a refrigerator that had a fridge for cool stuff and a freezer for cold stuff. (And let's say there's no current patent for a fridge (for just cool stuff) nor a patent for a freezer for cold stuff.)

Obviously combining both into one is the most convenient (I'm talking about kitchen space, not patents for that last phrase. The best invention is a fridge and freezer combined), but if someone came along and wanted to make a stand alone freezer, would our provisional patent cover that too? Or should the fridge/freezer patents have been separated in the first place for protection?

4

General Non-Inventing Discussion / Trademarks

« on: January 22, 2014, 12:05:02 AM »

This isn't really a question or a patent thing, but it's kind of correlated since trademarks fall under the USTPO's jurisdiction.

Apparently Candy Crush Saga (mobile app game) filed a trademark for the word "candy" and they just won it. What........................Not sure how that's possible.

Oh and I don't just mean they reserved the word for phone apps, but its for basically everything.

Personally the game isn't even that good. I downloaded it once to see the hype (because they advertise like crazy for it) and it wasn't fun. (I'm afraid to say anything too negative.) I guess they have some pro lawyers.

Just wanted to share this ridiculous thing lol. (I'm about to go trademark the word "the." Watch out, everyone.)

5

Invention Prototyping and Development / Re: Low production strategy

« on: January 15, 2014, 04:44:06 AM »

Haha yeah, manufacturing...This is probably the most annoying process of running a business.

The pricing you mentioned doesn't surprise me. $700 each if you order 20, $90 each if you order 200, and $27.50 each if you order 2000. I think you guys are right about the mold being costly, but something I know (as a research scientist, nothing to do with business) is that when you order something to be manufactured, its always much cheaper if you order a lot than to order a small quantity.

The reason isn't (wasn't) the mold, though. The reason is because the factory had to stop production of whatever they were making, set the machinery up for your item, and produce it. (Only to deal with the hassle of changing it again when your order is complete.) Since setting up the machinery/stopping other production costs them money, they charge you a lot for small quantities, which is why its better to order in bulk. (And what would happen for scientists that needed a certain item is a bunch of these scientists would get together, buy something in bulk, and split the cost of the item being produced; since no one ever really needed a lot. Of course, you don't have the luxury of splitting the cost with anyone since its just your item...)

Anywayyy. It's hard to really decide what you should do. Obviously the optimal thing would be to order 2000 for the best price, but the problems are:
1. Will the product sell well enough that its worth it? (And not necessarily that you'll sell all 2000...but if you think you can sell 60 (aka 3 sets of 20), then you might as well pay the extra and keep the inventory. (As opposed to ordering whenever you need it.)
2. Price point is something to consider. You can't really take a loss on selling your item, but you want decent enough margins.
3. Can you afford the mass order?

So yeah, it depends on your current publicity/how well you're going to sell. Of course mass ordering is best if you can afford it (assuming it'll sell eventually!)

6

Patent Questions and Advice / Re: Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act (PLTIA) Discussion

« on: December 24, 2013, 12:17:29 AM »

So basically:

1. 14 months to file for real patent instead of 12 months.
2. No more "claims" are necessary for real patent.
3. If you forgot to pay an upkeep fee they're a little more lenient.

(2) is useless in my opinion. Claims were never needed for even provisional but it's still stupid to not include any claims.

(1) is nice I guess, gives you a little more time. But it has to be "unintentional" lateness. I suppose not gathering funds in time or not finding a buyer won't cut it. I guess this is most useful for people juggling a lot of provisional patents. Won't personally help me much.

(3) It's nice I guess. It must only mean real patents though because you only pay one upfront fee for provisional. I'd hope that by the time you have your real patent you'd be on top of fees but whatever.

Guess I can't complain but nothing worthwhile to me.

7

PatentFile Website Questions and Reviews / Re: Credit Card Billing and User Profile Names Are Different?

« on: September 20, 2013, 03:05:36 PM »

I didn't need my grandma's name. Just pulling the correct credit card info (and I guess billing address) were enough, for future reference.

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PatentFile Website Questions and Reviews / Re: Credit Card Billing and User Profile Names Are Different?

« on: September 20, 2013, 02:34:56 PM »

Ya. It's just that under the billing section, there's nowhere that asks you for your name. It asks you for your address and credit card info, but no name.



I'm just gonna wing it and try to register using my real name, just now. I'll let you know how it goes.

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PatentFile Website Questions and Reviews / Credit Card Billing and User Profile Names Are Different?

« on: September 19, 2013, 05:27:25 PM »

I want to buy a package from you (the $85 one) but I already sort of have a username and it wants me to create a new one.

Which isn't the actual problem. The problem is that my grandma told me she'd fund this business opportunity, and if I use her credit card...does that mean I have to use her name for my profile name? Or do you not even need the proper name for the credit card billing section to work?

I'm just curious before I proceed. Or is this the kind of thing that's like "try making a profile with your name and if the credit card goes through, you're good."

10

Patent Questions and Advice / Google Patent Search

« on: August 15, 2013, 10:21:49 PM »

I'm not really asking a question here, just bringing up a discussion, per se.

I had called a patent library place that was registered on USTPO website and got the advice to do a quick google patent search on my idea(s) to gauge how to improve my own idea by looking at similar inventions.

But...if you didn't hear, some people in a house googled certain words and the police came knocking on their door, since google lets the government see information on people and stuff.

So now I question how secure a google patent search really is. What if someone sees your idea? I'd like to think that it's sensitive info they can't use, but how can you be sure? Think twice before searching, eh?

11

Marketing, Licensing, and Selling an Invention / Re: New Product Launches and Marketing

« on: August 15, 2013, 10:08:32 PM »

I really like seeing these products you've helped. Please continue to post them here, or send out more newsletters, it's really appreciated.

12

Patent Questions and Advice / Re: Sports "Stat" Patentable?

« on: July 19, 2013, 06:12:41 PM »

HMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

This just got trickier. The data I need to make my "stat" is recorded, but not made to the public and there's no way any random fan is going to track what happens out on the field/court so it's just not out on the internet at all.

I contacted the organization running the sport/event asking if they'd like to collaborate, but since the info is no longer online I can't really make a software to make this patentable. (Unless you meant writing a program, but I have no idea what database or anything these people use...) Which is okay. I give them the formula, they put it to use with their data, and we get some nice stats to put out for the public.

But I'm greedy, I doubt they'd give me enough recognition to make this worthwhile. So let's switch the focus of this to marketing, instead of patentability. Do you think there is any way I can make money off this? It's not like they're selling anything since it's a stat so so I doubt I could get a royalty. I don't REALLY want a buy out if they purchase the statistic formula(s). Seems unfavorable, though. Credit would probably go to the stupid company who is in charge of the room where all the data in the games are recorded.

By the way Brad, I'll hook you up a little if I ever get some money or connections out of one of these inventions so don't peg me as a freeloader, lol.

13

Marketing, Licensing, and Selling an Invention / "Licensing" an App...That You Want The Company To Make

« on: July 14, 2013, 05:27:52 PM »

I don't think this has anything to do with patents so much as it does with ideas and business.

Alright here's the situation. I have an idea for an App. A phone app. However, I have no programming/coding knowledge. I have two options from here:

1. Hire someone/a group to make the app. Then I have to buy an Apple's license or whatever to put it on the app store. I think this will cost a lot of money of do. (Correct me if you know otherwise.) This is probably the biggest headache [of these choices] but also the one that will likely yield me the most profit.

2. Go to a company/organization that already has an app in the same area (although it's quite a different concept/idea from what their app is), tell them the idea, have them do all the work programming and selling the app.

[3. Learning programming myself, it's just not gonna happen.]

I'd like to pursue option (2) but I'm worried these guys may steal my idea. Do you think a nondisclosure agreement is enough if I speak to them? How well do you think this would work since I only have the "idea" and can't even make the product myself? Is there any other business plan you think is worth trying over what I've mentioned?

P.S. This is where it gets a little tricky. I don't see how the company who has this app makes any profit from the app itself. The app has no advertisements and it's free to download. The only thing I can see is that the name of the app is the company website so...maybe it's just a self advertisement feature for them?

P.S.S. Just in case anyone is dead curious, the app is gas buddy.

14

PatentFile Website Questions and Reviews / Patent Newsletter Suggestions/Recommendations

« on: July 06, 2013, 10:08:37 PM »

I couldn't find a good place to put this so I guess this will suffice, but I have a suggestion/request regarding your patent newsletters, and maybe future people will have recommendations. I'm not sure if you're open to these or have already done one of these but I'll ask anyway.

I'd like to see a newsletter on "searching for patents" or "searching for inventions" or something along those lines. I won't go into specifics, take it as is.

I'd also like to know a little information on how newsletters are made. I assume you pick a topic you think will be well reciprocated and write about it? And also, do you have a database of newsletters for people who have registered recently and might have missed a few? If you don't have one, you should think about making one.

Also, you might want to keep a thread (or forum) open for making suggestions for newsletters.

Thanks a bunch Brad.

15

Patent Questions and Advice / Sports "Stat" Patentable?

« on: June 21, 2013, 12:46:56 PM »

Hey Brad,

First of all, I'd like to thank you for all the help you've given me with the information provided on your website.

Now then, I have a question about what is patentable, because the situation is a little unorthodox. I'd like to create a sports formula/statistic to measure the value of a certain something. I know I'm being very vague so let me further clarify with an example:

In basketball there are a few recorded stats that portray what a player does during a game (points scored, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals, etc). Most basketball fans would see these stats and be able to know how well a player was playing for a particular game by his stat line.

However, John Hollinger, a sports writer, devised a formula for combining all recorded stats in one and deemed it "Player Efficiency Rating."

This "PER" isn't an official stat "recognized" by the NBA, but it is widely considered and quoted as a good metric for judging a player's performance by both analysts and fans.

Is a statistic like that patentable? I haven't found any patent that he owns (or trademark) for it, however everyone knows that he is the man who invented it, just because of his prior fame as an ESPN sports writer/analyst.

I'm aware that "math formulas" are not patentable, but the applications of formulas are. Do you think this could be considered an application of a formula? (And if so, would it be of the utility class? Would I be able to file a provisional patent for such a thing?) Of course, I'd be doing possibly a different sport and making something else.

Thanks a ton,
Blue