Patents Don’t Protect You From People Stealing Ideas!
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- Опубліковано 17 чер 2020
- Take a deep dive with Stephen Key: www.inventright.com/deepdive
What do patents do? How do they stop people from stealing your invention? That's what patents do, right - you need a patent to protect your invention, right? No, not really. It's a little more complicated than that. Patents can have value, but it has nothing to do with stopping anyone.
Speaking from personal experience with the patent system, licensing expert and IP strategist Stephen Key explains why patents don't stop or protect people from stealing your invention. It's the truth! Stephen explains how he got worked around by talented engineers, which is fair game. Watching patent attorneys argue about words taught Steve that ownership was more of a slippery slope, because the meaning of words are interpreted differently by different people at different times.
Stephen also gets into why prior art, which includes patents and publications, is a complicating factor as well. He also describes the powerful nature of innovation, which is that it never stops! He also touches on workarounds, variations, the danger of crowdfunding, and copycats. These are all realities and obstacles of the modern entrepreneur! Learn what you actually need to establish and maintain ownership of your ideas.
Then Stephen offers his best tips for protecting your ideas that do not include patents.
Learn more about why patents don't stop people from stealing your inventions: www.forbes.com/sites/stephenk...
Bringing an invention to market? Let inventRight, the world's leading experts on product licensing, show you how. Cofounded by Stephen Key and Andrew Krauss in 1999, inventRight has since helped people from more than 60 countries license their ideas for products. Visit www.inventright.com for more information and to become their student.
Call #1-800-701-7993 to set up an appointment with Andrew or another member of the inventRight team to discuss how we can help you license your ideas.
New to licensing? Read inventRight cofounder Stephen Key’s bestselling book “One Simple Idea: Turn Your Dreams Into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work.” Find it here: amzn.to/1LGotjB.
Want to learn how to license your product ideas without a patent? Stephen's book “Sell Your Ideas With or Without a Patent” explains exactly how. Find it here: amzn.to/1T1dOU2.
Determined to become a professional inventor? Read Stephen's new book "Become a Professional Inventor: The Insider's Guide to Companies Looking For Ideas": www.amazon.com/gp/product/165...
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You said it very well. Patents give you the right to sue other people. Nothing more nothing less. Practically this means you also need the financial resources to do so. Trademarks are a very similar story, in that case you even have to actively "hunt" other companies otherwise you can even lose the trademark.
Right, patents just give you the right to own your invention, without fear of getting sued
Patents are still required by most investors whether they can be infringed|/worked around or not!
Hello Steven, this is Tweetie Dao, one of your original regular guests in Palo Alto , CA almost 20 years ago. I even held Andrew's Baby while he was at the signing table or on stage... It's so miraculous and amazing that I was just hanging up a call with a Patent Attorney named Ray W. in Alabama who advised me to contact you guys and get help with my many ideas. What You are talking here is exactly what he told me just 10+ ago about patents are not needed....I will contact your company next week. Have a great weekend and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO YOU , ANDREW AND OTHER FATHERS IN YOUR COMPANY!
Hello Tweetie, I hope you’re doing well. 20 years ago holy cow! Let’s talk whenever it’s convenient. Have a wonderful weekend.
Time flies when you’re having a blast!
If it's rocket ship technology technically you need a patent. I hear ya I think your Right!
Thank you for the info. My question is about how to protect process inventions, inventions that don't have a product to manufacture and sell but rather show a new way to do something that is better and more cost-effective, saving the builder/user a lot of money.
This guy told me exactly what I wanted to hear. For I was looking for a way around getting a patent while still being protected. In which I thought about using social media for exposure, plus being the one(the inventor) to release it into the market for several months, and doing a whole lot of other things(outside of patents) to prove that I'm the inventor. So thank you, UA-cam content inventor for confirming what I was already thinking.
Still without a patent anyone can copy your invention and making better marketing, especially big companies....
@@selinane2Seli-zw3pz Since that comment was made I've did more research. In which I found out for $65 I can do a provisional patent application for further protection. That would add on to all of the things I said in my original comment. And of course big companies can out market me, but I can put my marketing out first in a strong way to show I'm the original.
@@kobiecamp1134 the provisionnal patent application doesn't give you any right if you don't push the process further (non provisionnal patent application, answer to official action, granted patent, extensions).
You just want to waste 65 dollars lol
How'd that work out for you?
@@Bananasinpajams yea! Exactly. How d it go? We're all rooting for @Kobie
Thanks for all of your great videos Stephen!(and Andrew, Amy Jo, etc.!) After your webinar with Jim at Hangman Products, I decided to change the product I was focusing on. Yesterday, I submitted an idea to Jim with only a prototype video demonstration.. *fingers crossed
Wishing you good luck!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I think a patent is needed for no other reason than some other bigger player sees your idea and puts their own patent on it essentially locking you out of your own idea. If you have the patent at least you have options. 🤷♂️
In some situations, having a Patent does have value!
In the past for many years I haven't been paid the amount of money I earned and most of the time I have done casual work or just work as a mechanic at my leisure. However, very valuable work, honestly. So I think time has come to bring some change with it. Change needed, honestly.
Yes, sir. Thank you for sharing.
Stephen, thanks for the videos and the direction!
My pleasure!
Ty for being open about ur hard time to help us, i learn the hard way too. That`s why i`m here watching this vid before it happens something near that this time also. Now this vid. actually does help me not doing a mistake like this things` .
(This is why you make you patents as BROAD as possible and make as many variations as you can think of.)
Bad advice!
@@user-gg5ig1to2gli why is this bad advice?
No it wasnt
If not bad advice then at least dubious. If you are lucky you will get away with it. If you are unlucky at least two things can happen. One, the examiner may construe the multiple variations as separate inventions in their own right. This could put you in a very difficult position. Two, during litigation with an infringer your claims may be attacked as being to broad. Again, very difficult position to be in and those claims could likely be invalidated.
Guess what this is really a ridiculous backwoods kangaroo way to live.
" WHAT IF"
we went back 2 survival of the fittest????
COURT SUCKS!
Good video. Entrance into the subject. Thanks!
Thank you for watching!
Just a heads up. Several companies on your list of companies interested into products that require a patent. Tovolo is the latest one that rejected my idea because I only have a PPA. "we will only consider using an invention if it is patented with a patented published number. Please submit the published patent number" (which means you have to have $5k-$20k to MIGHT be able to license a product which MIGHT make money)
That list badly needs to be updated and reviewed by your team. Some of the companies aren't taking ideas. If I might make a suggestion. It might be smart to update the list of companies that require a patent vs PPA.
Hi Craig. Our student Jay licensed an idea to Tovolo with only a provisional patent application. Companies change their policies all the time. Some companies would love to have a patent. For others intellectual property is not required. Please closely read what’s required to submit an idea to them. We're glad this free resource has been useful to you.
@@inventRight Thank you for the heads up. I didn't know these types of policies would change all that often. I was thinking that would've been a more static policy that might require a major event to change it.
Anyways, thank you for giving that resource for free. My plan is, since I don't have enough to really afford the membership options at this time. My hope is that I can land a good deal with a company, and reinvest that. Part of that hopefully will allow me to become a student since I have a number of things I made in the past that I never had a chance to put it within my online stores, and I would like to see if they can be licensed if I can take it to a company with real infrastructure and distribution.
@@TheAIKnowledgeHub Tovolo was acquired by Spectrum and that's why their policy changed.
This is great advice! Thank you!
Your so welcome. Let us know if you need help. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
wow! such a great video! What you are saying really adds value for people who want to engage in these kind of activities!
Thanks. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Thank you Steven and Andrew for the information! I’ve heard you mention Steven at one point in some video that you contacted a patent owner about a patent they have out there and talked with them to see why they never step forward with it. I’m curious how I can get a hold of them. Also If I can, what is the best respectful approach? I’ve been looking at google patents and I’m seeing names but not any contact information.
Reach out to the law firm.It should be on the patent.
Having a patent does give you some legal rights for example someone can't prevent you from selling the item if you've got the rights to it
People can always sue you regardless.
Patents are just words. And those words can be interpreted differently from different people. From judges, a jury to a patent examiner or the licensee.
Just gives you the right to sue.
Thank you so much for this information it gave me much confidence. 💜
Wonderful!
Thanks. Ive come up with an idea and need to know how to get started. Good info. Recommendations on where i can research if someone has already created it?
Did you ever find a resource for the search?
VERY GOOD INFO!! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!
Thank you!
thank you for this video. i have hopes for utility patents and will keep your wisdom close at hand.
THANKS
I like what you're doing for people. This is the first time I've watched you and I'm happy to say it won't be my last.
Thank you for the kind words Jonathan. Keep Inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Damn… I’m too late. I filed a patent months ago. Well… let’s see what happens. I invested way too much now to just give up and lose hope
Don't be fearful be careful !
thank you so much !
Is changing a design slightly or changing some material used on the patented product legal?
This is fantastic advice. I was letting the fear of IP theft prevent me from continuing the development cycle for my software. I think what matters more is helping people by going to market with my product, moreso than worrying about trying to protect it in court, which is too much hassle.
Thank you!
THANK YOU SIR
What about technology devvelopment like in RF chips designs ?? Should one get a patent if someone come up with a new technology or new way to design chips ?
Thank you for the video 👍
You're welcome. Keep inventing! - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Hi - great video and very informative.
One question though - if you want to license a product to a big company I assume you don't build a brand on social media before you do that? Can or should you do that?
Sometimes yes has sometimes no.
Every situation is a little bit different.
Top guy.
I read your book ‘One Simple Idea’.
Thank you for reading! What did you think?
I think this video could be more popular with title like WHY I SUED LEGO.
Good idea thank you!
Inventions hardly exist now because I'd argue that most inventions are variations of what already exists - though not all of them. I think a design type patent is the new hybrid (not talking about a design registration - talking about a variation of a design to make it function more efficiently, universally or have more adaptability. Look at pochade boxes or folding palettes - there's so much prior art that predict their future design....
I have an idea to resolve a problem for a major automaker. I am seeing owners posting the problem on youtube constantly. The clever idea for a product I came up with is geneious and rather simplistic. Where do I start? Thanks
Glad I research before I research before I uhh etc.etc. lol thanks for the info brother!
Wonderful!
Thank you for this video. I have an educational patent out pending right now. I wanted to sell the idea but dont have much money. So this was a great eye opener in a good way of what to avoid. I'm not trying to get rich, just educate people with my invention and might have to go sell it myself. Social media definitely has influence if the internet doesnt filter us. Thank you!
Hi, You will make more money by getting paid royalties every three months (quarterly) than you ever would selling your invention outright. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
I was thinking about that too. But something came across my mind was to sell it and just get the royalties from it. I really don't want to deal with the headaches that comes with it. I will be on the low while collecting checks. I plan to use social media for bait to get the product out there. Market it well once it kicks off well then big companies I'll reach out to then for a offer to sale. That's my plan. Much success to you and I know you will do Awesome!! Let's get it!!
Hello Sir, I have invented a mechanical automatic toy that is not available in the market, please tell me should I go for a patent or simply approach a large company in this field,I also fear that if I demonstrate the details to the company they might copy it and release the product in the market.
This is why I never bothered pursuing one for any of the original ideas I had. Without the desire to develop and produce the items/products myself nor the resources to protect my IP if I did (if that's even possible with countries that operate in China), they would just be expensive plaques to hang on the wall and I have plenty of art for that.
Most products that get licensed there’s no issue Patents. People aren’t sharing this type of information….it’s too bad.
Great advice 👏
Thank you!
-Stephen
very good videos as always old man
Thank you!
There is one exception, no? AIA. Someone can come along and take everything from you because they filed instead of you. Might be best to at least file something, even if it doesn't get issued/you don't go for non-prov where applicable. Gotta be first to file. I could be misunderstanding AIA but, that's the way I seem to understand it.
Take a deep dive with Stephen Key: www.inventright.com/deepdive
Very interesting.
It depends on what the "Subject" is being patented, as to what a Patent will Protect. :) Most companies won't steal ideas in the fear of being sued or having to sue back.
Very true!
I wouldn’t agree.
"Most companies won't steal ideas in the fear of being sued or having to sue back." I guess you never heard of the PTAB.
I think the biggest problem today for companies is looking poorly on social media.
Takes years to establish trust and only a couple bad reviews to destroy it .
Patents can be worked around. I have an utility model of a fast charging system on mobile phones, but HMD global (Nokia) stole the design. The stolen design is on the Nokia G22
Yes, I would agree! Patents can be worked around.
thanks
Excellent Video
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Why is nobody telling us this. This should be first when u search patent.
Great question. We've been writing about this for many years.
Steve, what details do I exclude from conversation with potential licensee without a PPA? I can’t find the video where you discussed this.
Kevin, I would be conservative and file a PPA unless you have a lot of experience and know when you can not file one. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
@@inventRight I remember it maybe being said to exclude how the invention works if no PPA. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
That's right ! But being granted a patent proves that the invention belongs to whom ! This is very useful for the startup venture afterwards !
If you change the actual mechanical operation of an patented product, does that constitute it being a new idea, even though it still works the same way somewhat and much easier to use?
Maybe. You would have to look at the intellectual property that’s already filed to see if you found something they did not think of or have claims on.
@@inventRight I appreciate your feedback as well as everyone else's. I have went to a lot of high-end retailers and just asked a question if they sold or ever heard of something like what I asked and several actually laughed and that makes me determined even more to succeed, but nothing means as much to me without the actual working product in my hand. Even though I might be the actual first person to ever own one and not be able to have it patented. My dream would have still came true, regardless!!
Wonderful do not stop!
Where do we start??.. I have an idea. What is the best protection???... Can you recommend a good attorney as well as design/ manufacturer company?. Ty!
Me too
how do you contact those companies if you want to license a idea you have?
Keep watching the videos we go over this topic and great detail. Thank you so much.
This guy: I'll get to that in just a minute
The minute:
Well many people don’t want to bother with someone suing them so, so that has value
I found a patent for measuring airflow in a duct using differential pressure to determine flow rate. There is already existing prior art in this arena as well as a device which has been on the open market for 20 years with the same description. People have been measuring airflow with the exact same technique for many years. I want to develop my own airflow instrument using the same tried and true principles and am worried about being sued. Should I just sell it and hope I don't get sued?
I would consult with a patent attorney.
Hi, learn a lot from you, Thank you, i have a Question... If i have an Idea and Execute the Product can someone come later Patent and Sue Me...? because i didnt Patent before...
If patents don't ultimately protect, what process is the most efficient way to protect an idea or an app?
First to market. License your idea to a large company. Building a large community of raging fans. The fight today is in the court of public opinion.
Hay jimmy nice talking with you guys
So its a good idea to video record with timestamps your invention perhaps with a newspaper print?
Great video Stephen. Perhaps you can make another explaining to all these poor folks exactly what the PTAB is and why there's little point in getting a patent if you can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to defend it at the PTAB. Even then there's no guarantee you will get to keep your patent or at least the claims that matter. The US patent system is really broken.
Easy. People are getting this completely wrong. The problem is not defending your patent. The problem is how do you create and commercialize a product that people actually want and will buy.
A very small I mean really small percent of independent inventors will land in PTAB.
If you land in PTAB congratulations!
You actually have a product that people want.
@@inventRight Not quite sure what your saying Stephen. If you create a product that people actually want then naturally you'll want to have the monopoly on that and so you obtain a patent. Once you have a successful product then you will soon attract the attention of infringers. You then try to fend them off by asserting your patent rights at which point you'll soon be 'invited' to attend an IPR at the PTAB. What do you do then? This is the reality of inventing today. It's not how it was when you started out my friend. The game has changed. It's gotten more vicious.
It’s hard to protect anything today.
Even Apple cannot protect the iPhone.
What chances do you think anybody has?
Patents are just words.
And those words can be interpreted differently at different times.
From a patent attorney, patent examiner, infringer, a judge or jury.
And because of this, it’s hard, regardless how much money you have to sue.
It’s a very very slippery slope.
And the chances of you landing in PTAB one in 1 million.
So I wouldn’t worry about it.
That shouldn’t stop anyone. So sell first,and sell fast.
Most products of a very, very short lifespan.
That’s why product licensing is the smartest thing to do.
Leverage the power of the company’s relationships with retailers. And those companies have a legal team to help.
But being afraid you won’t be able to collect all of the profits is absolutely ridiculous.
It’s just business.
Be smart, be fast!
And I believe the only court that matters is the court of public opinion.
So build an audience, build a great brand that people stand behind.
That’s the best protection, licensing, and building a brand.
With this strategy, I use patents as a selling tool, not a protection tool.
Thank you so much for engaging me in this conversation.
I’m just trying to give people a little reality here.
I get to see licensing agreements happing all the time. And guess what? There’s no patents.
Over 90% of these product ideas selling today their is no intellectual property issued. They’re not being infringed. They’re not landing in PTAB.
And yes, a few have copycats.
That’s a good thing. It’s a sign that they have a great product.
inventright.com/buyers-guide/
I suppose some of that makes sense if you are inventing faddish or trendy products or designs that have a short market lifespan anyway. No point in patenting those. What if you are inventing a new type of gadget or device that could disrupt the industry? Then you will need a patent. You make things sound easy by saying we should just find a great licensee. The truth is that today it's the licensees who are ripping off startups and loan inventors. Often big companies approach startups who are showing off great tech at trade shows and on social media pretending to want to license their tech when really they just want to steal it. Social media won't save you when Apple has just stolen your multi-million dollar idea and are intent on destroying your business before it even gets off the ground. You will find that social media has very little loyalty. Just look at what is happening with Apple and Masimo. Social media doesn't seem to care that Apple have ripped off Joe Kiani and tried to destroy his business through lengthy and expensive litigation. All people seem to care about is when they can buy the latest Apple watch containing stolen intellectual property. I would agree that social media is great for advertising and spreading the word but don't expect it to save you when the sharks come after you.
So if I make cars different and more unique and patent this and that they can still copy it after my car is in production
I have an awesome idea on a great invention. I can't disclose details. But my concern is whom do I present my idea to and they will not steal it. Should I contact an attorney first and if so what will be my next steps. Thanks for the videos
I’m on the same page. Did you find any info on how to protect the idea from being stolen?
@@ceciargueta9332 yes, I googled
@@entertainment-byiamscyence What did you end up doing?
Hi , I had an idea made a prototype and went to inventhelp, the person I met he kept calling me to move forward with the idea, but then after about 8 months I see the same product in the market. What do I do, please help. Thank you
I don’t know what I can do to help you.
I have an idea, I will have a prototype in 1 week. Do you recommend selling my product and market-testing it first? or paying for a patent first?
This is the same question my wife and I are asking ourselves about our idea. Have gotten any responses from anyone? Or how did you proceed? Thank you.
File a provisional patent first @ uspto first for micro status it goes for around 70$, this gives you protection for 12months, then you can go for the main application this will give you time to know if your idea works or not.
If someone is going to challenge your invention and you vent afford to fight it they can steal your invention and not much you can do about it. Now I'm reluctant to even try to get a patent. I need help making the prototype so how am I going to do that without getting my invention stolen?
We can help; contact us. You can also watch the many videos and read the many articles we've written on how to retain your ownership of your creativity and get paid for it.
find a reliable company in which you sign a non disclosure agreement and pay for a prototype yourself
@@lauriejterbush that wont work with China
i left something out on my ppa that i already filed... what should i do? file another?
If it’s important I would consider it. I’m not giving legal advice.
I've heard that there are multi-billion dollar companies that don't even have patents on their products . From what I heard from attorneys but I don't know if it's true.
Yes that is totally true. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
You need good ideas and good pricing
soooo what do Apple to protect that iphone so much because if i steal it im out of here sued and glued if its not the patent they have then what is it. the video is a great idea but you said alot without saying anything at all
You may be lucky to hear that voice from your head as i did,maybe giving you the thumbs up for your creation.
Thank you for watching!
Thank you omg
Thank you!
True - companies can & do infringe. I had to sue Mattel, Spiral Toys (Cloud Pets) & Toy Talk, Inc in the Southern & Northern District of California. (HASHEM blessed me with legal aptitude in 2014 - met with Stanford Law School in 2016 - timing wasn't right ⚖) I handled the cases ProSe. Litigation and intellectual property attorneys are not cheap haha. You are a rare case getting an attorney on contingency - most major toy companies know individual/small time inventors cannot afford protracted legal battles in Federal Court (hundreds of thousands of dollars )
PS per Prior Art - a patent will never go to issuance if there is Prior Art. My #12/659,756 patent was published. Had some toy companies "Jam" it from issuance
Congrats Steve on settling 👏
How did you cases turn out?
What do you mean by “jam it?”
Hello from modesto!
Can you create a new product from another product as a source? What sort of arrangement can you make with a company to do this?
I have a revolutionary idea and I’m here because I want to start finding a way of acting on the idea. This will change the life of many people nationwide and beyond. I need help.
We're here to help: inventright.com/contact
Is there any concern of you developing something for open source or not for profit and a big company likes the buzz you are getting and worry it may disrupt their profits so they rip it off, say they have been working on it for a while, and file all the legal paperwork for patents or IP much quicker than you could, to strongarm you out of making something to help people... [Like I want them to try to improve the design and profit of it if so but I don't want them to stop people from accessing it from other pathways.] Is this a thing that could/does happen?
Hi.. Can a method be patented?? Not a physical product..
No
@@secondskinfillers8709 Watch "Stanford law professor discusses the current state of intellectual property" on UA-cam
ua-cam.com/video/NPSha5ZZUwk/v-deo.html
If you have a great invention but no patent, someone may happened to file a patent for it and he can prevent you from doing anything with it
Are you speaking from personal experience? In our 20 years of helping inventors, we've never had an inventor experience this scenario.
@@inventRight Legally this can happened.
@@inventRight happens all the time in petrochemical and oil/gas industries
It’s really first to invent regardless if there’s a Patent or not.
@@inventRight But the patent regulation had changed. Before it was first to invent but you still have to prove you're the first to invent that invention. Now the US patent regulation stated, it's first to file. So before applying patent for your invention, never reveal it to others.
I had no idea that Robert De Niro knew so much about patents!
I have a good idea but dont have the process of making the product. Mold plastic and wiring. It is very simple but I'm not sure what to do about it. I sketched my own idea and emailed it to myself in a pass worded zip file until I can figure out what to do with it :(
Mail it to yourself? That doesn’t protect yourself.
@@inventRight Well it proves a date I had the idea before there was anything else like it. But yea I dont know much about what I am doing as of now.
@@inventRight I've also read that if you mail it to yourself through the USPS post office it gets stamped with a federal seal and makes it legal. Im just trying to get started instead of just letting it sit in the back of my head.
Unfortunately, it’s not true.
Community service work may matter in appreciation only you know.
Was the settlement worth the wait? Knowing you can get a worthwhile settlement if you get a patent is huge for your viewers as then the patent is worth while, so if you could share that aspect it would much appreciated.
It’s painful. Yes it was worth it.
@@inventRight You were lucky Steve. Pre 2011 was the "golden age" of US inventing when it was very hard to challenge a patent, lawyers acted on contingency, NDAs actually meant something, injunctions could be obtained and enforced and jury patent trials were the standard. If you sued LEGO today they would likely take you to the PTAB and invalidate all your patents. You probably wouldn't stand a chance in front of that kangaroo court. Because lets face it, that's what it really is.
"I'm not sad that they stole my idea, I'm sad that they don't have any original ideas of their own."
-unknown
I talked to an inventor the other day that said they had their idea stolen from a company they showed their idea to. They said they showed it to the company two weeks prior and now it's on their site. I said how could a company possibly knock your product off and have a finished product up on their site in two weeks. They were quiet. I'm not saying someone didn't steal your idea as i don't know the facts of your situation, but please use common sense before deciding someone stole your idea. This is not so much just for you, but for anyone reading this. Hope this helps. And if someone did outright steal your idea, i'm sorry. That really sucks. It's not common at all but it does happen sometimes of course. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder ( Call, email, book an appointment or request more info about how we can help by visiting us here. inventright.com/contact/ )
Now I’m discouraged bc as he said 100% of the times alibaba will rip your idea and patents won’t do a damn thing.
It frigging sucks... I don't know what to do based on this. But I think I'll go with my gut and do the patent anyway. I came too far to not present my patent in some way.
I'm curious what the work around was that made Lego able to steal your idea or improve it cause that's some BS TBH.
My patents were on manufacturing. The spin label had been patented over 70 years ago. And yes, they had a different way to manufacture it. They were very clever.
Design parents are not about words, they are about pictures.
Too bad someone hasn't invent a patent to prevent patent trolls. I would be first in line to file such a document because the risk is so high and have happened already. Kindest Regards, Aiden Alamo
Trolls on social media? If so, yeah i hear you. - Andrew Krauss, inventRight Co-Founder
Can you patent something that is patented by another person in another country?
❤
Great video, How about a scenario where a copy cat company develops a patent for a stolen idea and then uses that to sue the original inventor to stop selling???
The stolen idea is prior art.
You’re awesome I’d love to speak with you
It sounds like he’s darting
But without the patent and the subsequent NDA, you would have NOTHING. You DID "settle" with LEGO. They didn't just TAKE your invention for free. Failing to get a patent for a novel idea that could be profitable and has great potential is LAZY. If you think you are changing the way things are done, and you do a CBA and it comes out well "in the black" GET A PATENT.
Do these stipulations seem reasonable for Kohler’s NDA? While Kohler Co. and its affiliated companies, all being herein referred to herein as “KOHLER”, are anxious to improve their products and processes, and add profitable new items to their product lines, they have found certain precautions desirable in accepting disclosures of ideas. In this regard, KOHLER employees have varied and numerous ideas of their own which have been developed in the past, or are now under research and development. Further, they may have access to the information of certain other companies. Some of these ideas might, by chance, be similar to your own. In order to avoid confusion between your ideas, KOHLER’s own, and these other ideas, and to prevent any misunderstanding as to what the rights and obligations of the discloser and KOHLER are relating thereto, KOHLER’s policies as to considering such disclosures are set forth below:
1. KOHLER requires there to be an issued patent, or at least a published patent application, which is owned by or licensed to you, covering the idea disclosed before KOHLER will evaluate your idea.
2. Regardless of what you disclose, and regardless of the extent to which it is embodied in such an issued patent or published patent application, KOHLER does not agree to hold your disclosure in confidence. Among other things, in order to evaluate your idea KOHLER may want to disclose your idea to various employees and/or to those outside of KOHLER’s employ. In addition, agreements to hold in confidence are sometimes misunderstood to entail certain obligations that are not in fact intended. It is understood, therefore, that no confidential relationship or agreement to compensate is entered into by reason of KOHLER’s considering your disclosure. You thus rely only on your rights under the patent law and copyright law.
3. To the extent we request (or you otherwise provide) additional supplemental information beyond that in the patent or patent application, the above paragraph 2 will still apply.
4. KOHLER is not required to return any descriptions, drawings, or other material sent to KOHLER by you or on your behalf. For example, KOHLER may wish to preserve a record of what was disclosed for some period of time. Therefore you should keep a duplicate of any disclosure sent to KOHLER. You also hereby provide KOHLER with permission to make copies of the materials you disclose insofar as KOHLER believes appropriate in order to evaluate your disclosure.
5. KOHLER is under no obligation to reveal to you information of its own, or its knowledge of the specific field to which your disclosure relates. To the extent KOHLER makes such disclosures, nothing herein is intended to relieve you from any obligations you may have by virtue of the conditions that such disclosures are made to you under.
6. Any disclosure to KOHLER is made on the understanding that KOHLER assumes no obligation to consider the disclosure, and KOHLER assumes no obligation to indicate to you whether or not KOHLER is interested in your disclosure. KOHLER is under no obligation thereafter to commercially introduce your concept or test it beyond such a level as it may find appropriate.
7. However, KOHLER receives no patent license to practice your invention (absent a further agreement) as a result of this disclosure, except as reasonably needed to evaluate your disclosure (e.g. internal tests).
This disclosure relates to (title of your invention) ___________________________________________________,
as embodied the following patent-related document(s) (publication or patent number(s)) _______________________. It is made on the conditions set forth above, and is effective as of ________________________.
Individual making submission ________________________________
or name of
Company making submission
______________________________________
(Company Name)
By: ___________________________________ Title: __________________________________
In my opinion this company doesn’t look inventor friendly whatsoever. Find another company.
Thanks man. We did decide to pass.
if you make a u tube video showing and explaining your idea, Doesnt that prove that you are the original creator of that invention.. because it has an upload date .ALSO what if you started selling it on an ETSY online store... would that protect the original creator ?
I guess it remains a mystery!