RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

My nieces husband is a patent attorney, and I talked to him about something I had and this is what he told me;

It can cost 10-20 grand and several years to get a patent. You should pay for a patent search because they are pro's who know what they are doing. Not only do you search the US patent office, but the European patent office as well(they have copies of patents from all over the world, and is a better place to search). He also told me the patent office will not take applications unless they are filled out by an attorney.

Things to have when filing; A working model, design drawings, application. Sometimes there are other forms.

And I have some bad news... Even if you have a notarized piece of paper of your drawings AND you mailed it to yourself certified mail, it might not help your case as being the first. The kicker is if the other person who ends up with a patent knew about your product or not. If he had no way of knowing about your product then he has a legal claim to the patent. If it were someone you went to for help, or marketing, and they turned you down then went behind you back and got a patent, then and only then do you have a claim, but it is difficult to prove.
If you went to anyone, they could turn you down and after you leave they could call their sisters cousins brother, and you couldn't prove it without an expensive and lengthy court battle, and if you couldn't afford the cost of obtaining a patent how can you afford the legal process of defending?

Last but not least is Someone could be doing the same thing you are but are 2 days ahead of you. This is why patents are pending and not issued immediately and there is a final patent search just prior to issuance. And you will be investing money, lots of it. In addition to spending lots of money, YOU have to market that idea. Before investing ANY money I would do a feasability study just to find out if a bow manufacturer sells enough bows to recoup there investment from buying the rights from you. It might not be feasable.

Lets say it cost you only 8 grand for the patent (a low amount in todays economic times) Then you spend another 2 grand going to different bow makers, archery suppliers, etc. (better to sell it in person than mailing a letter) Just to break even you gotsta have 10 grand, but you want more and that anount depends on you. Do you want 20 grand? 30? 50 grand? Lets take 20 grand....How many bows does Matthews sell each year? Lets say this product adds 10 bucks to the value of the bow they woul need to sell at least 2,000 bows to break even IF the parts were free. It might not be worth it to them, but an archery supplier might be able to sell the product if you produce and package it.

Good luck!
Holder of TWO patents, and lost my savings on both of them, as they were unmarketable. Received a pending patent that was later denied because an identcal item was filed 37 days earlier than mine. AND my wife told me I couldn't put a 2nd mortgage on the house to pay for another idea to go to patent.

By the way patents are only good for 17 years and nonrenewable.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Well personnally.... I'm going to really be broken hearted and pitch an absolute tizzy if this thing isn't on the market by hunting season.[:o] I may just kick the cat or smack the little woman if I don't have one of these must have "DO DADS" that's going to set the world on fire. I want to be the first too eliminate 2 things off my recurve and make it better. Right now I have a string and a piece of wood. Given that, I've figured out he's come up with a way for me to point my finger and say... "I gotcha". Yes SIR.... sign me up. I may take two so I can use BOTH pointing fingers.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

LMAO! Thats it, it's a spear!

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

NOPE... can't be a spear... that would only eliminate the string.....I'd still have my chunk of wood only now it'd have an added point.[&:]

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Very informative Thundermug - sounds like you've been down this road before a time or two also.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

I don't know this for a fact but I've heard that you can try to arrange a meeting with a company rep, have them sign an agreement not to steal your idea, and pitch them the product. If they are interested in adding it to there line of products then a contract is signed and you probably sign off the rights to it for either a lump sum payoff or a percentage of sales. You wouldn't make nearly as much money doing this as you would if you did all the work yourself and it truely was a product that no hunter can go without but at least you would make some money on the deal. Also you would not have to front your savings on something that might not turn out. No idea if this is true but it may be worth looking into, you might make just enough to fund your next big idea yourself!!!

Bass Pro and those stores are just Retail stores for existing products so you would need to work with a manufacturer directly.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

LMAO!!!!

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

all the good ideas are used up already:D

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Not all , trust me 8)

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Do people on this board always make smart ass comments like this? Or is it just random when they have nothing better to say.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Money is not an issue, trust me on this...

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Having an open mind and a sense of humor helps. Please try not to take it all seriously, I think no one means any harm. Good luck with you venture ;).

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

i believe that in order to win in court about a patent you have to prove that you had teh idea first weather written OR verbally discussed with people 5 years previous even without a patent. BUT you will want to get a patent. i know a patent lawyer and he says to be TRUELY safe get yourself a patent and start hitting the pavement for people to manufacture your product, find ways to improve your product. market it yourself, you have the potential to make alot more money that way. you just have to do it. also possibly get yourself a partner with buisness background. maybe even a manufacturuing background.

with this being said.. im an Mechanical Engineer with Buisness background. ;) lol anyway good luck with your venture. i hope you get to do what ever it is you are trying to achieve.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

1. Get a patent attorney and file. 2. If you have the cash start a company and productize it...I mean make a few prototypes. 3. Sell the company/patents and let someone else defend them. By creating a company, gives the impression that you have some $$ backing you. Also once you file, start telling anyone who will listen. Patents are enforceable back to the date you submitted not when it issues.

Cabela's and Bass Pro are only interested in final product. They expect the suppliers to guarantee product and swallow the returns regardless of the reason. If you are small this policy can put you under. If your product costs you $5 to make and you sell it to Cabelas for $10, they charge the consumer $20. Be careful dealing with them on product pushing. I doubt they would buy the company either.

Good luck. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

I'm just curious Hoopy...what exactly makes this a great, or even a good product? The fact that a couple people told you they liked it? The overwhelming majority of posts in response to this thread have been with regard to the patent process, and the pros/cons of filing, cost, etc. What we seem to be missing here is a discussion based upon the merits of such a "new" bow device. This industry is filled with small manufacturers, probably all of them privately owned. We can only theorize on how much or little they profit, but I can imagine that they are not cash flow cows, with many going into & out of business yearly.

One of the things you should keep in mind is this- even if you succeed in bringing this product to market, you may find that little to profit is left at the end of the day.

Just my honest opinions....

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

Don't take it to anyone they will all try to steal your idea. Go to an attorney and patent the product. Be prepared to spend some money. But if is that great who cares how much you spend to patent, develope and market the product.

RE: I have an invention that could revolutionize bow hunting
 

THE SAD REALITY IS THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RICH ON YOUR IDEA. BY THE TIME YOUR PRODUCT COMES TO MARKET EVERY OTHER COMPANY WILL HAVE THERE VERSION OF IT, AND PROBABLY MORE RESOURCES TO PROPERLY MARKET IT. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS JUST TELL US WHAT IT IS SO WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM IT AND YOU'LL HAVE THE SATISFACTION OF KNOWING THAT YOU HELPED YOUR FELLOW BOW HUNTER WITH THIS GREAT IDEA OF YOURS.:)
HB