How to protect your Mod designs without paying for a Patent

[retird]

Java, I'm positive about it. IDK, a patent attorney could tell ya more, but I think if the patent applicant is like me, and can't afford one to begin with, then open source is better than nothing. I wouldn't put it on-line until I was ready with a sales channel also, so they would happen at about the same time. Otherwise, someone would get early info and make a competing product too quickly.

The thing is, it's hard for us to say, since patent law is a field in and of itself. There's an article today in the tech news about some patent holding company going after companies that have iphone apps in the app store because they used Apple's standard "upgrade" button. They didn't go after Apple, they went after the app companies for using a standard API in the "kit". Ya never know with this patent stuff.

It's not only happening to iphone apps.....A chinese company has filed suit against 3 US companies for infringement on their patent of the e-cigarette...it was filed in California in January...and ammended the suit to add njoy...so now there are 4....

 

[MasterofChaos]

Hey Everybody,

People who think they should stop posting their ideas because "certain people" claim ownership of this or that IP is the wrong way to go, IMHO. I think the best way to fight this is to publish EVERYTHING. The more people exchange ideas freely, the less "certain people" can claim ownership of them.

Keep on posting is my attitude. Keep on sharing. That's the best way to keep the "Greedy Gus's" at bay.

Of course that's just my 2 cents.

 

[MadmanMacguyver]

I think it should come down to market share...those who come out with a crappy/cheap product will get lower end sales due to some peoples inability to buy a better/more expensive product...those with a good stable quality device will get more sales and be able to charge more for their quality/more innovative device...

the problem is the market being flooded with cheap/bad QC devices WILL put some people off PVs before they have a chance to try something good...

Sigh in a perfect world we would have no wars either....

 

[Switched]

You are correct, But his his delusions of entitlement grow daily.
He has convinced himself that every V. V. product sold regardless of design, is his.

He's delusional! He doesn't need a lawyer, he needs a doctor

 

[Sweeper]

This is kinda silly. If there's ANY reference to a design or process publicly published anywhere, a patent claim gets thrown out due to prior work. Someone can apply for a get a patent, but it's not enforceable due to that prior work. It's like the method of putting your idea into an envelope and mailing it to yourself, so you have a sealed envelope with a postmark on it. With the internet, it's even easier.

 

[MadmanMacguyver]

This is kinda silly. If there's ANY reference to a design or process publicly published anywhere, a patent claim gets thrown out due to prior work. Someone can apply for a get a patent, but it's not enforceable due to that prior work. It's like the method of putting your idea into an envelope and mailing it to yourself, so you have a sealed envelope with a postmark on it. With the internet, it's even easier.

Unfortunately thats not entirely true...hein lies the problem and thus why people think they can get away with such a thing...Justice in todays world is for sale...
CIP OJ Simpson ,ford vs robert william kearns creator of the intermittant delay windshield wiper...it took a good while and a sizeable chunk of money and heartache for him to win and todays patent process is more twisted and convoluted than it was then and his subsequent suits which should have been covered were dashed due to thelack of a simple blanket judgement due to him winning the first.........and todays companies will employ much worse tactics to win...

 

[Sweeper]

yea that's a case of a creator having problems trying to ENFORCE a patent We don't want that. Once you post something on the internet, it's public knowledge. Nobody can stop you from producing it via a patent claim because that posting on the internet is proof of prior work. If ford had put up an ARPANET post with ascii art schematics, predating the kearns patent application, kearns wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

HOWEVER, like previous posters have said, there's additional fun to be had: if you release your work under a license like Creative Commons Share-Alike or the Open Hardware License, then companies who use your idea have to share their designs as openly as you did. And that's just awesome.

 

[mwa102464]

Independent inventors are often faced with a stressful issue of how to show their invention to potential manufacturers without the risk that the manufacturer will pilfer (Steal) there invention. Congress has authorized a procedure that offers protection when shopping new inventions it is the provisional patent application (PPA). Why not file for this, it is an inexpensive way to protect your invention while giving you time to figure out if you want to take it further, get funding, or just work further on it, the cost is cheap, anywhere from $100-$250

 

[BuzzKill]

Mwa has it right .

 

[MadmanMacguyver]

yea that's a case of a creator having problems trying to ENFORCE a patent We don't want that. Once you post something on the internet, it's public knowledge. Nobody can stop you from producing it via a patent claim because that posting on the internet is proof of prior work. If ford had put up an ARPANET post with ascii art schematics, predating the kearns patent application, kearns wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

HOWEVER, like previous posters have said, there's additional fun to be had: if you release your work under a license like Creative Commons Share-Alike or the Open Hardware License, then companies who use your idea have to share their designs as openly as you did. And that's just awesome.

Independent inventors are often faced with a stressful issue of how to show their invention to potential manufacturers without the risk that the manufacturer will pilfer (Steal) there invention. Congress has authorized a procedure that offers protection when shopping new inventions it is the provisional patent application (PPA). Why not file for this, it is an inexpensive way to protect your invention while giving you time to figure out if you want to take it further, get funding, or just work further on it, the cost is cheap, anywhere from $100-$250

the part I placed in bold by sweeper Only reinforces my opinion...I have no problem with the average modder making for himself or even selling one here and there...I dislike the idea of a company with more resources than me running me over...and personally most of the profits would go toward a design for something more important than the PV field in my opinion...(No insults intended PVs are revolutionary and save lives) But I have been working toward a specific goal all my life...and I believe I would be there but for funding...

-edited for side note...and I intend to open the designs to those capable of making my designs for their personal use...as I truly believe the innovation comes from the modders

 

[Sweeper]

the part I placed in bold by sweeper Only reinforces my opinion...I have no problem with the average modder making for himself or even selling one here and there...I dislike the idea of a company with more resources than me running me over...and personally most of the profits would go toward a design for something more important than the PV field in my opinion...(No insults intended PVs are revolutionary and save lives) But I have been working toward a specific goal all my life...and I believe I would be there but for funding...

-edited for side note...and I intend to open the designs to those capable of making my designs for their personal use...as I truly believe the innovation comes from the modders

Well here's the thing...if a company decides to take your mod and make a product out of it, then the business case for *your* version has already been made, and any other company can get in on the action. This does two things: 1) discourages the initial company from doing it, because if their product succeeds they will have competitors they cannot quash with a patent claim. 2) puts you in a prime position to get another company to fund the patent application for your version, since you have the prior work claim, and then come the royalties.

Also nobody cares about your cold fusion/free energy device j/k