Invention, it’s coming together

[undercover]

Has anyone ever invented anything and brought it to market? I’m looking for some help and ideas on how to move forward. The first prototype is almost complete and will be tested asap. I’m sure there will modifications, upgrade on materials, etc etc. I feel like the better way out would be to sell the idea instead of seeing the product all the way to the store shelf or internet store. I also understand that the outdoor world is hammered daily with new products. I also have a partner, 50/50. I would like some thoughts on real world experience and how it worked out for you or someone you know. Maybe tell me your mistakes.

 

[Dsnow9]

@PoleX

 

[Treeshark]

Step one: protect your IP.

 

[WapitiBob]

I invented an adjustable "load lifter" system that attached to the Mystery Ranch Nice frame back in 2009. Got a provisional Patent in 2010 then realized it wouldn't make enough money to justify a full patent and let it go. OV modified it a few years later, spent the money on a patent but I doubt they've gotten their money out of it. MR just modified what we did and made their own version.

 

[PoleX]

I can offer some ideas but wouldn't consider myself an expert by any means (otherwise I wouldn't be driving a desk for someone else from 9-5 lol). I've been a part of many product launches under the umbrella of a large outdoor products company. Mainly supporting the design to manufacturing phase of the launch. We obviously had brand recognition, design, manufacturing, marketing, sales, distribution and all other aspects of an established products company already in place which is much different than launching a product and company on your own.

I think #1 is having a solid product that fills a market need that can be sold for more than it costs to make, with enough projected sales/margin to make the venture worth it (obviously). If you've gotten as far as developing a functional protoype you're doing well!

Protecting IP as Treeshark mentioned is important as well in some cases but as WapitiBob pointed out it doesn't always pencil out. There are design and utility pattens but i'll assume you understand their differences.

These are just some opinions and observations I'll throw out there...

The guys I know that have done well in the consumer products space have always started out slow. Built a few prototypes and got them in the hands of folks that would run it through the paces. That's where you're going to get honest feedback and learn about areas you might have overlooked with your design. I don't care how good of a design it is; someone will find something or have recommendations on how to improve it.

I have rarely seen people be able to sell a design or strike a royalty deal successfully without some sort of sales history or track record behind the product. Most companies have detailed product road maps and capital already budged for projects. The likelihood of them just buying up an idea isn't the norm. They also have customer commitments and an inhouse design team full of good idea fairy's keeping the pipeline full. Obviously, there's exception but if it's that good of an idea then you'd definitely want some sort of utility patent and NDAs in place before you enter into discussions.

An approach I've seen work is to create a direct-to-consumer website or work with local gun shops/outdoor stores to get your product on the shelf. Once you build some sales and a reputation it becomes significantly easier to sale the idea or strike some sort of royalty deal.

Mistakes...I'm a bad salesman and don't like relying on influencers....It's a competitive space and unfortunately it often comes down to who is promoting it more than what the product is anymore. Linking up with someone with more reach and influence has become one of the most effective forms of marketing. If it's a great product, you could send out samples to influencers and ask them for product reviews in exchange. In some cases, it may be worth paying them to review your product. I've never personally done any of that, but I know it's worked for friends that have started successful consumer products companies. I throw a lot of shade at youtubers but it's often where I go to learn about products before purchasing them myself. Anymore, major companies are doing the same thing and allocating lots of marketing money to product reviewers on youtube.

I'm not sure if that helped but there's a lot of ways I could of went with that question.

 

[mxracer317]

IP patents are only as good as how much you can afford to pay in legal fees fighting. Deeper pockets tend to prevail… so it might not be worth it.

Best of luck, that’s awesome and looking forward to hearing about it when it’s ready!

 

[undercover]

I believe there is a niche in this idea. I’ve only found one remotely similar product and it’s well received in the market. But it’s for a different application if that makes sense. The paperwork will be tough to navigate for sure. Good call on the YouTuber sign off. I have access to a YT with a six figure following actually in the same field as this product. Never thought about that. I was thinking non disclosures for field product testing. A bunch of knowledge already shared in a few posts. See where this goes Thanks all

 

[Chingon]

I would spend $20 on a premium chatGPT membership and walk myself through the steps for initial filing, patent search, etc. This is one area where AI would probably do pretty good and save thousands on lawyers (you may still need to spend several thousand on them, but still...)

 

[undercover]

I would spend $20 on a premium chatGPT membership and walk myself through the steps for initial filing, patent search, etc. This is one area where AI would probably do pretty good and save thousands on lawyers (you may still need to spend several thousand on them, but still...)

Good call. I was on it a couple hours ago. Seems like it gave a legit biz plan. Thankyou

 

[Salmonchaser]

The American dream, wishing you good fortune.

 

[jpc01101]

IMO explain the design and put pictures, print and put in an envelope and mail to yourself via certified mail and DO NOT open it. Then if a major company tries to copy the idea exactly and sends legal team after you to cease/decist you can provide that as evidence you had the idea prior to them filing for a patent, thus making their patent null. Better than spending the cash on an attorney. If the product is good enough it will work out with or without a patent.

 

[undercover]

IMO explain the design and put pictures, print and put in an envelope and mail to yourself via certified mail and DO NOT open it. Then if a major company tries to copy the idea exactly and sends legal team after you to cease/decist you can provide that as evidence you had the idea prior to them filing for a patent, thus making their patent null. Better than spending the cash on an attorney. If the product is good enough it will work out with or without a patent.

Great thought! Def gonna do this! Wow.

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Has anyone ever invented anything and brought it to market? I’m looking for some help and ideas on how to move forward. The first prototype is almost complete and will be tested asap. I’m sure there will modifications, upgrade on materials, etc etc. I feel like the better way out would be to sell the idea instead of seeing the product all the way to the store shelf or internet store. I also understand that the outdoor world is hammered daily with new products. I also have a partner, 50/50. I would like some thoughts on real world experience and how it worked out for you or someone you know. Maybe tell me your mistakes.

Yes. Multiple.

1st, you need to seek out and hire a Patent Attorney. They will let you know if any part of your design is enforceable.

R and D is the next step,then the filing. Its not an easy road. International Patents are an interesting breed of cat as well.

My experience was within Manufacturing and Power Generation.

 

[undercover]

Yes. Multiple.

1st, you need to seek out and hire a Patent Attorney. They will let you know if any part of your design is enforceable.

R and D is the next step,then the filing. Its not an easy road. International Patents are an interesting breed of cat as well.

My experience was within Manufacturing and Power Generation.

Would you mind telling me a ball park figure for the filings and legal work?

 

[LopeHunter]

I fear relying on this website for how to protect your ideas is about as reliable as our relationship advice.

I worked in venture capital for a bit and did some angel investing. The idea for a project is about 3% of the effort to get to market. Some ideas can lead to a product but, as noted earlier in this thread, until have a proven sales track record you are still at the hobby stage which is fine but most people are chasing the pot o' gold.

Is not unreasonable to spend $100K for product design, legal fees, patent search re infringement, incorporation and finding out if can even get liability insurance for your proposed product before ever go into production. If plan to go international then some countries only allow IP if apply prior to ever selling Unit #1.

These are all hurdles. For example, I could come up with the idea of selling a bag of broken glass for a stocking stuffer and probably sell a few at $10 a bag as a novelty items if I hustled around but one lawsuit will put my wealth and sanity at risk.

You also will need packaging, marketing, etc, for most products targeting consumers. If you are looking to get shelf space in a retail store then be ready to pay yourself for everyone of those units then only get paid if the units sell and plan to wait a month or three post-sale to see your share of the sale.

Customers are like having employees. Some are knuckleheads. Some are crooks. Any punk that flames your product in a review or claims was a piece of crap will carry more weight than all your happy customers that are silent.

Congrats on hustling to look for ways to be creative and hopefully make a lot of money and gain respect as an entrepreneur. The road to success is a fickle one that does not always reward effort or integrity. Read up on Amazon crushing small entrepreneurs and small businesses that used Amazon to sell their products. Amazon has your customer list if they fulfill you sales and they know your price points and volume of sales. Grow into a size they notice then they create a lot of hurdles, IP or not.

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Would you mind telling me a ball park figure for the filings and legal work?

Honestly it depends on how good your lawyer is. I know our costs were typically in the 5 figures by the time it was done.

Obviously long term returns after the initial Enforceable repay these costs.

Be extremely on guard for those who will poach your intellectual property. They exist everywhere.

 

[RidgeRunner76]

Thats just lawyer's fees btw. Nothing else. I've been away for the last 3 years so unsure if costs have significantly changed.

There is nothing about bringing a product to market that is cheap nor easy.

 

[David58]

Great thought! Def gonna do this! Wow.

Take it to the PO, get a postmark across the envelope seal, AND send it to yourself certified/registered.

 

[RidgeRunner76]

My viewpoint is on a mass Global and Domestic scale in full production.

I spent 18 years as Production Manager representing 3 companies worldwide.

I'm not even the smart guy that thinks shit up. I'm just the one that took pretty drawings and made it reality, while defining processes.

 

[Treeshark]

Take it to the PO, get a postmark across the envelope seal, AND send it to yourself certified/registered.

That does nothing. The US patent system is “first to file.”