Ducati Monster Forum

Hi Folks,  Every once in a while I hit on something huge.  Last night while wiring up my bike I hit on just such a thing.  I did a search of patents online and found nothing that should conflict with my idea. 

I am hoping a fellow Duc enthusiast might have some experience with patents and patent attorneys.  I would rather give my money to a person of like mind then just some guy I find in the phone book.  (oops I just dated myself) I mean on the internet!

Having worked for a few big SW/electronic engineering companies, I have filed many patents (they are big on that - even though many are junk).
I have dealt with many patent attorneys, but this guy was IMO the best I have dealt with. His name was Kevin Zilka, from SJC.
He was super quick in picking up stuff, and you could just throw a few technical spec on him, and he would get a first draft which was almost spot on.
Keep in mind that, someone good for SW/electronic engineering patents, might not be good for mechanical engineering ones.
Be also ready to cough a few grands to file a patent.
IIRC the patent attorney bill to the company cost center, to file one patent, was $12K.

Thanks!  I am going to be seeking a design patent on a mechanical item that while used in the electrical world is mechanical in nature.  Been looking for the perfect product for a long time.  I know patents are spendy and in the past most of my ideas have been difficult to make a reality.  This one though I need to follow through on.  Nothing better than a single mold product!

Wish me luck!  Anyone that does any wiring work is going to love what I came up with.

not moto...

yet. ;)

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=66034.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=66034.0)

I know what you're up to  ;D

Well, there goes the "nonobvious" requirement.. :-o

Nope  :)  This one is huge and there is no evidence online.  I already have a meeting with a really good patent attorney this week.  Turns out he is a good friend of my uncles.  [thumbsup]

I would love to leak it but this one could be easily done by any number of companies that are already producing the "unimproved" version.  Not moto related at all.  It is related to electrical wiring though, all electrical wiring.   If I can get this through a patent I will not even have to produce it, just sell the rights.   :)

A prelim patent will hold your rights until you can pony up the cash and get production rolling. Or sell off the idea.

And pay to defend the patent.  :)

I am going through the patent application process as well... but it will be owned by the evil multinational conglomerate I work for.  The lawyer that is helping with the process had a couple one hour sessions to make sure this was something the company would fund... I sent him this:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220070035812%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20070035812&RS=DN/20070035812 (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220070035812%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20070035812&RS=DN/20070035812)

Still TBD if the company wants to invest in my idea... but given the number of silly patents & patent trolls out there... I am kinda surprised anything gets done.

I am a patent attorney. Litigation though, not prosecution (as in, I don't push patents through the application process). But feel free to ask away and I will try to answer best as I can.

Thanks Eric,

I am got a deal on a full search from a patent attorney (1000.00) that is a friend of the family.  However his primary work is all in Silicon valley and at $600.00 an hour he said he would poke around and find someone that works in the type of product I am trying to complete.

My prototype went well.

Sometimes it is best depending how much money you are willing to invest and more important how much money you can see making, to run just the pending for search and a little security.  Then make it fast, get it to the distributors and let word of mouth sell it, and if your idea works people will buy it.   I have found most times that patents and marriage were created for the attorneys well paid job security.  The pending also gives you time to work the bugs out of it.   Don't forget about the "bugs", and the phrase "it looked good on paper"

I hope you get a hit!

Yep. I would say that at this early of a stage, most of your capital should go to building the business (developing the idea into a tangible product, finding willing customers, selling units) within the first year, rather than going through a full blown patenting process. $10k goes a long way for a fledgling business. You should try to have some evidence of commercial viability before investing a lot in legal protection.

Three ways to handle IP:

1) Patent.  I know and now you know, but here's my laywer and pile of cash ready to sue you if you use it.
2) Trade Secret.  I know and you don't.  Good luck finding out what I did.
3) Publicaiton.  I know and now you know.  You have more money than I do, so I'm making it public knowldege to keep you from patenting it and coming after me for infringement.

Thanks for the heads up All!  I am not going to produce the product or spend a minute of my time manufacturing it.  It is my plan to sell the license to produce it to a couple of companies that already are producing the product in a non refined form.  Best part is that all they have to do is change an extrusion mold as they already make a product that I simply improved.

Sure wish I could share it here as it is simply brilliant and most people would wonder why it took so long.  I will say that it will make building things like wring harnesses so much simpler....  Also will work for most wire repairs.  It is my goal to finish up the prototypes this next week and to get the preliminary patent filed.  After that it is right to the manufacturers.

Should they decide not to do it I will lose a few bucks as I simply don't want to open up yet another business.

I file 1 to 2 patents a year on my ideas for the global conglomerate I work for, some good, some filler.  I hope you have a good attorney and drafter, they make a huge difference in how painful(less) the process is.