Patenting a new product

[bobber_down_1979]

So I have been tossing around an idea for a new fishing product. The product is a lure/rig that I have the ability to make on my own. I still have to build some test models to give them a good try, but think that this is something that could sell. Any suggestions on things to keep in mind? Anybody here ever attempted such a thing? Even if nothing comes of it, what I have designed should work well for me, and will be a good addition to my arsanal. I am refraining from saying exactly what it is only becuase I am considering the possibility of a patent.

[Cheetah]

If you are serious about it, my dad is a patent and trademark attorney and has a bunch of clients in the fishing industry. I can give you his contact info. He has a tendency to talk people's ear off and lay it all out for what is really required to make a go of getting a patent and producing products for market. Not just taking your money and filing the paperwork. Some folks don't like hearing how hard and expensive it really is, which is why I mention it.

You can reach me at jdtschida at gmail dot com if you want.

Good luck.

Oh, and you should start by doing some of your own searches right now. Google for 'uspto' and you can search the patent database online. Beats the heck out of going to the MPLS library to look up patents on microfilm and printing them a page at a time, I used to do that with my dad, loads of fun lol.

[pulleye16]

I beleive there is a way to "protect" your idea up to a year for little or no cost but I forgot what it is called. Would be ca cheaper way to see if it even is a worthy idea.

Good luck on it!

[peterson999]

You can get a patent pending which is a little over $100. To actually file the patent it's around $500.

[castmaster]

You should also be aware that patents of fishing lures etc have historically been very hard to enforce. Doesnt take much "change" to get around the patent. Probably the #1 reason most fishing tackle is not patented.

[Gissert]

I hate to be cynical - but good luck. The fishing tackle business is pretty cut throat and competitive.

My brother came up with an item that changed the way we ice fish for ever. He did the poor man's patent thing, but that really did not help.

Other versions came up that did the same thing, but had a different look or slightly different design that accomplished the same thing.

It was very frustrating for him, but he does have the satisfaction knowing his idea made a difference and it was good enough that others wanted to emulate it.

[Black_Bay]

You should also be aware that patents of fishing lures etc have historically been very hard to enforce. Doesnt take much "change" to get around the patent. Probably the #1 reason most fishing tackle is not patented.

X2. Your best bet is to get the product on the market and advertise the heck out of it. Try to make your lure "THE" lure, similar to how people refer to most crankbaits as Rapalas or PWC as JetSkiis.

btw make it as inexpensive as you can so you leave room to adjust your price when the big tackle companies start making them in some 3rd world country.

[jBohmer]

My brother came up with an item that changed the way we ice fish for ever. He did the poor man's patent thing, but that really did not help.

Hmmm... was it the hook?

[APCfishing]

I hate to be cynical - but good luck. The fishing tackle business is pretty cut throat and competitive.

LOL! What industry isnt cut throat and competitive?

It's all about marketing the product. It doesnt even have to catch fish! heck I've got ton's of muskie lures that dont catch fish

If you dont mind me asking GISSERT, what was it that your brother invented that so many copies were made?

[pushbutton]

You should also be aware that patents of fishing lures etc have historically been very hard to enforce. Doesnt take much "change" to get around the patent. Probably the #1 reason most fishing tackle is not patented.

x3....was close to a patent one time(not fishing related) until a lawyer that didn't want to take my money said as much. not to discourage you but the reality is that if you do get it on the market and are successful, a larger company will simply change a small detail and be able to use your idea. if you want to go ahead and pursue putting a new item on the market...great...but probably wouldn't spend the time and money on the patent/defending it. good luck!

[merkman]

Make your product, market the heck out of it, and sell it!!

Get in, make your money, and get out, move on to the next product.

Once you get some capital built up you can worry about pattents and enforcing them.

A pattent without the resources to enforce it is worthless.

[bobber_down_1979]

Great info guys. I guess that means, no matter how good your idea is, it would be difficult to sell the rights to it, to a large company as they could just say no and basicly make it anyway. I need to get some test models ready and if I decide to start selling I will let you all know, and if I don't I will just post my idea for others to try or offer possible improvements.

[bobber_down_1979]

As a follow up, what I am making would be incredibly easy to make small mods to to make it different enough to call a new product.

[Ed Carlson]

China, South Korea, and other Asian rim countries, along with a few South American countries routinely do not honor US Patents. Unfortunately that is the real catch.

They knock it off with help from somebody scouting for them here in the USA. If and when they are challenged legally, they just drag it out tell they get the initial sales rush over and they see it as not worth further pursuing...then they just drop it dead. The quickly move on to another knock off.

It's a rough expensive game, and I wish you well if you enter into it.