Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Patent Trap


I always recommend that everyone be involved in some kind of small or part-time business, using ideas and hobbies they come up with. It’s educational, especially for youngsters, and it can eventually prove profitable.

The questions often arise about the protection of ideas and products that may develop with such enterprise.

Copyright procedures, along with trademarks, are not diffficult or expensive to undertake. The patent question is another matter.

Patents require a special attorney with an initial bill of about $10,000, with more outlay assured. Then you have the distinct possibility that a patent may have to be defended against infringement by others who have bigger wallets. You may be facing millions of dollars of expense.

Patents are therefore not the protection they first appear to be. The first-to-market with the most funds, may well be. (See the Earl J. Weinreb NewsHole® comments.)


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