How to find out if a product is licensed?

**doit** · 03-13-2009 11:20 PM

Hey guys,

I have this product in mind that I would like to sell, however, I don't know if its licensed.

How do I go about finding out if the product is licensed?

Any help at all would be much appreciated.

cheers

**singaboy** · 03-14-2009 12:33 AM

What 'kind' of product is that ? and most importantly from 'which source' did you acquire it ?

**doit** · 03-14-2009 01:14 AM

Wassup singaboy,

Its a martial arts training equipment thats been around for a very long time. I doubt its been licensed... but i just want to be certain. I haven't acquired it from anyone. if its not licensed i intend to have it manufactured.

**singaboy** · 03-14-2009 07:46 AM

Hey doit, how is it going..

well, what I understand is you are wanting to mass produce the equipment...well, if you 'just figure out' how the equipment is working and then 'replicate' it by building it on your own with slightly different specification, then it wouldn't be a problem....on the otherhand, if you 'use the equipment's parts as is' in your design without the manufacturers' permission, then you may have some trouble..., just like how companies in China make 'iPhones' and sell for 1/2 the price of Apple's version...this is just my opinion...

**doit** · 03-14-2009 08:25 AM

Hello Singaboy,

I definitely want to mass produce this item. However, I would like to learn "how to find out whether a product has or does not have a patent." This way if I have any other ideas I'm trying to find out the answer then.

So the question is what resource can i use to find out if a product is licensed.

Cheers.

**doit** · 03-14-2009 09:28 AM

So i found legal zoom.com However, its kind of expensive. Come on guys help a man out here.

**singaboy** · 03-14-2009 10:59 PM

I found this link for you. UIPC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

not sure if this is of any help.

Maybe, guys like Akula can offer some insight..

**cyman** · 03-16-2009 01:56 AM

I've worked a fair bit with IP.
Here's the bottom line: Until you are consistently making $200,000/yr in clear profits (no revenue), you don't need to worry about it very much. Suing people for IP (intellectual property) is EXTREMELY expensive and needs to be worth it.

If you really need to research it, you can dig up the patent in the USPTO. It's time consuming but could be worth it.

3 Resources:
- Book: Patent Pending in 24 Hours
- Book: Patent it Yourself.
- Book: Intellectual Property for Dummies
- Software: Patent Wizard or other patent search systems.

**doit** · 03-18-2009 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by singaboy

I found this link for you. UIPC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

not sure if this is of any help.

Maybe, guys like Akula can offer some insight..

Hello singaboy,

Thanks for the information. I kinda gave up on the board answering my question so I did a quick search and found a free website online that allows you to do a patent search. THe only question is how up to date it is.

Thanks again man.

Originally Posted by cyman

I've worked a fair bit with IP.
Here's the bottom line: Until you are consistently making $200,000/yr in clear profits (no revenue), you don't need to worry about it very much. Suing people for IP (intellectual property) is EXTREMELY expensive and needs to be worth it.

If you really need to research it, you can dig up the patent in the USPTO. It's time consuming but could be worth it.

3 Resources:
- Book: Patent Pending in 24 Hours
- Book: Patent it Yourself.
- Book: Intellectual Property for Dummies
- Software: Patent Wizard or other patent search systems.

Hey Cyman

Well, in that case i should be fine for a while since I wouldn't be seeing that kind of cash immediately. I'll check out the books you've recommended.

Thanks for your help man.

I really appreciate the feedback guys.

Cheers.