Any Thoughts on this please

[mojo555]

Hi Ok Im not sure where to start with this
Iam based in Dublin Ireland and Basically I have a novel idea that in order for it to work I need some contacts or preferably a mentor.

I have a basic business plan but have no idea where to go next Ive been told that I need to patent the concept its a web based idea therefore its global from the start. Now patenting IS VERY EXPENSIVE so how can I commence business when its impossible to get the legalities and patenting issues addressed within a very tight budget. Mentors please advise free of charge for payments or refreshments at a later date :-)
Thank You for your time.

[Nigami Enterprise]

Patents don't have to be expensive. You can get a provisonal or design patent for only a few hundred dollars. They both have there conditions though. Before getting a patent you can talk to people about your idea using non disclosure agreements or confidentality agreement. It also depends on your idea not everything can be patented. If you need any help don't hesitate tp ask me.

[workfromhome2007]

u know it all right?

[mojo555]

I have been told by a patent agent here in Dublin Ireland that it is in fact patentable and then there is the issue of trademarks etc etc

The agents here in Irleand are telling me very expensive quatations as to teh cost especailly for a international patent which my idea will eventually need.
Any advice on this great appreciated

[akula]

Hi Ok Im not sure where to start with this
Iam based in Dublin Ireland and Basically I have a novel idea that in order for it to work I need some contacts or preferably a mentor.

I have a basic business plan but have no idea where to go next Ive been told that I need to patent the concept its a web based idea therefore its global from the start. Now patenting IS VERY EXPENSIVE so how can I commence business when its impossible to get the legalities and patenting issues addressed within a very tight budget. Mentors please advise free of charge for payments or refreshments at a later date :-)
Thank You for your time.

ok, the point here is to get you launched and break cashflow positive

with patents, unless you can defend the thing in court, what you're doing is not entrepreneurship but gambling (i.e. hoping to sell/licence your patent)

if you want protection - use trade secrets, or don't worry about it at all. people copying you is a very good thing for a lot of reasons, which I'm not gonna go into

likewise, unless what you have is pure fundamental science, registered IP is not the basis of sustainable competitive advantage: it's easy to imitate without infringing your IP - and if you want to litigate that, you're certifiably suicidal

to get launched and break even:

1) Go do customer surveys
2) Take deposits from people who say they'll buy the product
3) Use deposit to manufacture your product
4) Use mailing list from step 1 for to launch your product and start completing your sales leaning curve
5) come back and ask for more advice

Disclaimer: I'm not making this stuff up. Any technology investor worth a dime will duly confirm to you that patents mean squat

Real businesses compete on basis of marketing and COGS: lower cost of customer acquision, exclusive distribution channels, high switching costs, lower manufacturing costs

example: just because your mouse trap has a laser light, it'll qualify for a patent - but in business, that means nothing

and if I copy your mouse trap? are you gonna take me to court? Instead, use the money you would have spent on lawyers to sign exclusive contracts with Walmart for them to distribute your stuff. that's a real business, where your advantage is strong enough for you to disregard substitute products and competitors

finally: after all that's said and done, repeat after me: NEWNESS IS A LIABILITY. just because you can patent it - doesnt mean you have a superior value proposition, let alone a superior market opportunity to clock super-normal returns for shareholders

don't believe me? go and search your patent register. you'll find that 99% of patents are uncommercialised. in a very literal sense - the register is full of "entrepreneurs" who collectively blew billions on patenting their "good ideas" only to be left with a piece of paper that no one cares about

[Nigami Enterprise]

Many people are mislead at what a patent actually provides. A patent doesn't provide you with any protection it provides you with some legal documents that will only provide protection via the courts. Which in turn means you paid over 100k for a document that doesn't provide much. The dyson vaccum is a good example it costed over a million $$ to pursue the infringes on his patent in court. The rubiks cube never had a patent yet it was very successful. Provisional and design patents will provide you with the same protection if not more. The provisional patent gives you a year to at least see where your product is going. Even with a patent your product will be copied this can act in favour for your product. Good luck with it

[4-Knots]

patenting a website? haven't heard of it been done before. Unless nobody has done this before, I wouldn't bother with a patent.