I want to get a patent

[Indy138]

Thanks for the info guys. I figured it will probably be a big expense.

[GrizzlyAdams]

I got a patent for something I did in my day job. In retrospect I might not have bothered. First it cost my employer $30K, and now that I've licensed the technology and patent from them for a start-up, my start-up has to pay that back because we use that IP.

I've come to see that to get involved in patents means having to be prepared to pay lawyers, either to defend yourself when someone else claims you or your patent infringes on them and theirs, or to go after someone who you believe is infringing on your patent. There are no patent police to protect you in either case. It all gets settled in court.

In retrospect I think would have preferred to let it ride and not go the patent route. From here I'm not seeing the cost benefit analysis breaking in my favor.

I did buy a nice patent plaque that hangs on my office wall and looks cool. The most expensive hanging ornament I've got, to be sure.

[Roche]

And yet Seth Boyden never applied for a patent for patent leather, go figure.

[Indy138]

It seems possible that the cost of said patent for a fancy pulk sled may actually exceed the actual profit I might make from such a specialized item.

[Roche]

Market it as a fancy cherry winter transportation vessel, should be able to sell a few of those in your neck of the woods.

[Indy138]

Winter wine tour wagon maybe? As we have many wineries, and micro breweries for that matter, around here.

[Gsx-rboy750]

I also got something i want to patent reguarding backpacking gear. After talking with my dad who also has a patent or two thru work he said i better off just making it and selling it at a good price.

[canoebie]

Retrofit it to hold growlers.

[DavyRay]

I have about seven or so patents. They were paid for by my employer. I have had quite a few hours of consultation with some very high per-hour patent attorneys. If you want to PM me, I will assist you any way I can.

There are ways to do this cheaper than the traditional route, but your circumstances will dictate whether it is a good idea for you.

[TheTurtle]

I haven't yet been intelligent enough to have an idea worth patenting, but it's something I've always thought about and am always looking at ordinary items and thinking there has to be a way to make this better...

My Great Grandfather actually made for himself at least three machines that were later patented and he would have been a multi millionaire. These include a three wheeler with a bed that's very similar to the side by side utility vehicles of today. He used it around the farm to check fences and cattle. My mother said he made it when she was small so it would have been at least 45 to 50 years ago.
He used car parts for the most part. I remember the seat was from what looked to be a school bus. And it had a hydraulic dump bed.

I wish you the best of luck, whichever route you decide to go.