anyone have a patent ?

[Matt Gunsch]

I have a couple of things I would like to patent and would like to see a sample of a approved patent, how did you do it, thru a lawyer or on your own ?
I am little intimidated, as there is a form to say you mailed the form, which you mail with the forms.
Where is Radar O'Rielly when you need him.

[retroaviation]

Matt,

I started the patent process on two different ideas I had. Both were aviation related projects. Neither would've paid for the patent by the time I got through with it all. The last attempt I made at a patent, before giving up due to lack of finances, was approximately 7 years ago, and the patent was going to cost around $6,000.00, not including the patent attorney's time for the patent search and other related items. Now, I realize that you don't have to have a patent attorney, but it is definitely recommended. I could be wrong (and probably am), but I got the impression that to be awarded a patent, you have to either be "someone in the system" or know someone who is...such as a well known patent attorney.

I had another idea that I was going to patent, for the automotive industry, and discussed it, in confidence, with Jim Smith (SeaFire and multiple other Warbird owner...see Warbird Digest #22). Jim liked my idea, but said, "They'll just steal it from you." I said, "No, no, they can't.....I'll have a patent on it." He replied, "So? Are you going to battle them for years and years in court about it? No? They know that and will just steal it from you." He followed with, "Look, I've got over 30 patents, and I've only made money on three."

He wasn't trying to bust my bubble, he was only trying to tell me how it is in the real world. I'm doing the same for you. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying "don't do it," I'm just saying to be sure it's an idea worth the effort, money, and frustration to pay off in the long run.

Sorry for the long reply, but that's just my $.02 worth.

Gary

[Bill Greenwood]

Gary, did you see the current movie about patents? I can't recall the name, it is out now. My Son who is in law school saw it and gave me the summary. A man in Detroit found how to make windshield wipers work on an intermittent or phased basis. He offered it to Gen Motors, (or Ford) asking for a few $million . They only offered $200k, he refused and they stole his idea. He went to court, but it was an uneven battle. He lost his family, he was committed to a mental institute, but he would not give up. The lawyers and the automaker would never admit they were wrong, and would never apologize. But this guy was pretty determined, he would not quit, even if it became an obsession. Finally he won in court, I think it was $10 million. The one point that the automakers made was that the auto companies had many people researching the same product, and of course they claimed they got it on their own, not from the real inventor. Charles said it was a sad story, the inventor lost so much in the battle, but did win in court.

[retroaviation]

I haven't seen the movie, Bill, but I mentioned that very guy to Mr. Smith when talking about the idea I had for the automotive industry. I asked him, "what about the guy who won the case over the intermittant windshield wipers?" And Jim's reply was, "Do you want to lose everything and 20 years of your life fighting over the idea you've got? Is it worth it to you to do that?" I agreed with what Jim was saying and just let the idea fall to the wayside.

Matt, Nelson Ezell has a patent on a flaring tool he made. You could give him a shout and see what it took for him to get that done.

Gary

[CAPFlyer]

There is another way to go about aviation related items though. If it pertains to something already covered by a Standard Type Certificate (airplane, powerplant, propeller, etc), you can simply apply for a Supplimental Type Certificate that covers your "modification" and which includes the item which you wish to claim ownership to. The STC process is much easier and once you have the STC, you have a much easier case to make to get the patent on it and fend off any would-be thieves as you can prove that you had the idea published prior to attempting the patent. I've seen it done a couple of times for warning systems pertaining to aircraft. They were first STC'd to the initial type of aircraft they were installing it on then patented later which allowed additional STCs to be issued in a faster manner as the design of the system was fully documented in the patent.

[Matt Gunsch]

niether are for planes, as bad as it sounds, I would like to get away from them. I have been working on planes since I was 13 or 14, and I am now 43.

one is for the garage, the other is a rescue device.

[Bill Greenwood]

The movie is Flash of Genius.

[retroaviation]

Good luck on it Matt. Some days, I don't blame you for getting out of airplanes.

Gary

[Tulio]

Search for "United States Patent and Trademark Office" and you will get lots of information on how to file.

Saludos,


Tulio