How do you find out about patents?

[erkishhorde]

Like, let's say I found a product that was cool but because it's plastic, it is prone to breaking. I'd like to make said item in aluminum but don't know if I would run into legal issues.

This is a pretty random idea but I don't have any idea where to start looking for information other than doing a google search for "patent" and that turns up tons of stuff that I don't find useful.

[NAKID]

Just tell us what it is here and we'll look into it...

[derby]

Like, let's say I found a product that was cool but because it's plastic, it is prone to breaking. I'd like to make said item in aluminum but don't know if I would run into legal issues.

why would a difference in material violate a patent?

This is a pretty random idea but I don't have any idea where to start looking for information other than doing a google search for "patent" and that turns up tons of stuff that I don't find useful.

http://www.google.com/patents

[aaronb]

.....

http://www.google.com/patents

awesome!  i have only seen pay search engines for patents

these look familiar

http://www.google.com/patents?id=2RkvAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0

http://www.google.com/patents?id=tdk3AAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0

[erkishhorde]

why would a difference in material violate a patent?

http://www.google.com/patents

I don't know. I don't really know how patents work. If I were to proceed I'd take my plastic bit to fabricator and ask them to use it as a base to make an aluminum bit. So the shape and stuff would be pretty much the same as the original.

Dang, there's a google search for anything...

[aaronb]

if you are just making one for personal use, you will most likely be fine.  if you pan to produce these, you may want to do a bit more research

[Popeye the Sailor]

You could ask the local patent attorney

[Drjones]

Making to use personally, no.  Making to sell, possibly.  If you can prove there is an inherent defect with it and your "novel" method corrects the defect then there is a possibility of patenting your solution though I'd think you'd be treading pretty thin with just a material change and no other deviations in form, fit and function.  Patents are fairly vague and it always takes a lawyer to read through the bullshit other lawyers put into them.

[redxblack]

You COULD just go ahead with it and see if the guy making the crappy plastic bits knows about patents.

[Goat_Herder]

You could ask the local patent attorney

+1.  Before you start going on that path, consult an attorney.  Doing your "research" online is not going to help you much.