Have Prov. Patent, Need Prototype/Marketing Plan

Lucky · #1 07-10-2007, 05:55 PM

I just sent in application for Provisional Patent on a Cell Phone accessory (used patent agent who did research, application, wrote up disclosure and cost about 1k)

So now I have a year until I need to continue with the more expensive utility application or lose rights to invention. Looks like I need to get a prototype and start trying to market it. I'm really hoping someone here has been through this process.

What is ballpark for a prototype (product will be much like accessories you see in store for 15ish dollars, fairly simple). Any good sites to search? My patent agent has recomended someone I'm also going to call.

More tricky is the marketing. Do I just head down to bentonville and knock on walmart door? Coldcall QVC and ask to try out?

My patent agent, like most i'm sure, is more into the product portion, and has few contacts/little info on marketing/sales side.

Any and all advice appreciated.

TheWorstPlayer · #2 07-10-2007, 05:57 PM

There must be trade fora, magazines, shows, conferences, etc. that you could attend/advertise in.

Kneel B4 Zod · #3 07-10-2007, 06:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
More tricky is the marketing. Do I just head down to bentonville and knock on walmart door? Coldcall QVC and ask to try out?

[/ QUOTE ]

you need a partner who knows what he's doing wrt to this stuff.

Evan · #4 07-10-2007, 06:14 PM

I think standard operating procedure here is to market it at trade shows. That being said, I have absolutely no experience in this area.

Could you let us know what it is by any chance? If you don't want to post it, maybe a PM? No problem if you don't want to share, I'm just curious.

Lucky · #5 07-10-2007, 07:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think standard operating procedure here is to market it at trade shows. That being said, I have absolutely no experience in this area.

Could you let us know what it is by any chance? If you don't want to post it, maybe a PM? No problem if you don't want to share, I'm just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont want to just yet; we just mailed in provisional application to patent office. I want to wait until I've heard from them and that they have it on file.

gusmahler · #6 07-10-2007, 07:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think standard operating procedure here is to market it at trade shows. That being said, I have absolutely no experience in this area.

Could you let us know what it is by any chance? If you don't want to post it, maybe a PM? No problem if you don't want to share, I'm just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont want to just yet; we just mailed in provisional application to patent office. I want to wait until I've heard from them and that they have it on file.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotta tell your patent agent about electronic filing. You get confirmation of the filing and a serial number as soon as you submit the application:

http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/

Stagger_Lee · #7 07-10-2007, 07:55 PM

China

Slow Play Ray · #8 07-11-2007, 02:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think standard operating procedure here is to market it at trade shows. That being said, I have absolutely no experience in this area.

Could you let us know what it is by any chance? If you don't want to post it, maybe a PM? No problem if you don't want to share, I'm just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont want to just yet; we just mailed in provisional application to patent office. I want to wait until I've heard from them and that they have it on file.

[/ QUOTE ]

good luck, man - the patent process is long and painful. we started the process for 3 separate patents all at once, and originally mailed the provisionals in march, 2004, followed shortly thereafter by the utility applications...they didn't officially receive them until september 2005, and i just received notification from our lawyer of the 1st of the three being granted last week, but it's still up on the site as an application.

Slow Play Ray · #9 07-11-2007, 02:10 PM

as for prototyping, if it is a simple part and a solid model already exists for it, you can just print one out in ABS using a 3D printer - i actually have one here in my office. that will give you a plastic part(s) you could either use as a prototype itself, or use as a throw-away pattern to cast a real one out of metal. since i don't know what you're making, it's hard to say. if there are electronics i can't help you, but feel free to shoot me a PM for any mechanical questions.

gusmahler · #10 07-11-2007, 02:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think standard operating procedure here is to market it at trade shows. That being said, I have absolutely no experience in this area.

Could you let us know what it is by any chance? If you don't want to post it, maybe a PM? No problem if you don't want to share, I'm just curious.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont want to just yet; we just mailed in provisional application to patent office. I want to wait until I've heard from them and that they have it on file.

[/ QUOTE ]

good luck, man - the patent process is long and painful. we started the process for 3 separate patents all at once, and originally mailed the provisionals in march, 2004, followed shortly thereafter by the utility applications...they didn't officially receive them until september 2005, and i just received notification from our lawyer of the 1st of the three being granted last week, but it's still up on the site as an application.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nowadays, 3 years is pretty normal for most applications to get to the issued patent stage.

As for your patent, your attorney most likely received a Notification of Issue. It is mailed a few weeks before the patent is actually granted and tells the attorney the patent number and the date it will issue. Ask your attorney for that information.

If you are looking at the Public PAIR site (which I assume you are, because you said it is listed as being an application), I believe you can actually look at the Notice of Issue yourself. (Go to the Image File Wrapper tab and look at the document titled Issue Notification).