Copyrights/Patents/Trademarks

[Travis L. Stevens]

Well, first off. What's the difference between them? I'm looking to seek legal "copyright" for something that I invented. Can someone help advise me? Is money ever involved? If so, how much?

[hogpark7430]

Copyright- This means you have the right to copy it, right?
Patents- a type of shoe
Trademarks- Underwear swapping

I hope that helps;)

[der_wille_zur_macht]

If it's an invention, you want patents. Just make sure they're not glossy black ones, because then all the boys will try to look up your skirt in the reflections on them.

[Travis L. Stevens]

..........I can tell it's a Friday........ :rolleye1:

[beerguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528145#post7528145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
..........I can tell it's a Friday........ :rolleye1:


Did you invent a calendar? (because I think it's been done already)

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I invented the question mark, and the white lines down the middle of roads.

[hogpark7430]

My father had been trying to get a patent for an invention, if I remember correctly (and I am never wrong) he spent a lot of time researching to see if the item was already patented. there is a website where you can do this. He found a similar invention that was used for a different purpose so he had to change the feature that he was trying to patent. My father then hired a patent attorney to file for him.

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528160#post7528160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by der_wille_zur_macht
I invented the question mark, and the white lines down the middle of roads.

I think he meant the Skidmark.

[Nina51]

i used to know a lot about patents because i worked in a patent law office but that was a long time ago, a VERY long time ago and all i remember about it now is that it was more boring than watching paint dry.

[Sk8r]

A copyright can be secured on a book, pamphlet, story, article, that sort of thing. If you are professionally published, the publisher does the paperwork. For legal purposes, if you put a thing out with the copyright symbol and date you have indicated your wish to protect it and that has some legal standing...but it should be registered.

A trademark is exactly that, a mark used to identify a product, a symbol or other creation that makes it unique: the Geico gecko, the McDonald's M or the expression "Golden Arches." A friend of mine actually trademarked Hell---her version of it, as a literary creation. Trademarks are often done to show that stores, eg, are part of a franchise. These marks are also registered...and a publisher or attorney or private individual can also do that paperwork.

A patent is a protected design, formula, or device, usually an invention, but can also be a medicine, etc. It requires plans or other identification be filed with the US Patent office. If it's a small matter, you can get info from that office and DIY. If it has a large potential, I'd engage a patent attorney.

All of these require a small fee on registration, under 50.00, I believe.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528329#post7528329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nina51
i used to know a lot about patents because i worked in a patent law office but that was a long time ago, a VERY long time ago and all i remember about it now is that it was more boring than watching paint dry.

Back before you switched to an ILlegal secretary, huh?

[Travis L. Stevens]

Okay, so it would be a patent that I am looking for then. Would you care to elaborate a little on how the process works? Have any examples of the questions that are on the paperwork? How can I find out if it's been done before?

[hogpark7430]

try this:
United States Patent and Trademark Office
http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm

[Nina51]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528361#post7528361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by der_wille_zur_macht
Back before you switched to an ILlegal secretary, huh?

yes.

travis, as i recall, you have to submit what is called a patent application. from there, i can't remember what happens. i'm not much help but i can tell you the funniest one i ever saw was for a "pregnancy mattress". some guy thought he'd patent a mattress with a great big hole in the middle. i guess he figured most pregnant women sleep on their stomach. i don't think he made a whole lotta moola with that one. ;)

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528474#post7528474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nina51
yes.

travis, as i recall, you have to submit what is called a patent application. from there, i can't remember what happens. i'm not much help but i can tell you the funniest one i ever saw was for a "pregnancy mattress". some guy thought he'd patent a mattress with a great big hole in the middle. i guess he figured most pregnant women sleep on their stomach. i don't think he made a whole lotta moola with that one. ;)

Ouch! I can just imagine how sore a lady would be with her 6-7lb baby hanging down after 8 hours of sleep. I can see where he was going with it and it was thoughtful and caring. But I don't suspect empathy was a strong point with him.

[Minuteman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528160#post7528160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by der_wille_zur_macht
I invented the question mark, and the white lines down the middle of roads.

You probably spent the summers in Rangoon fashioning meat helmets...

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Now that's just twisted!

[pnosko]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528353#post7528353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
All of these require a small fee on registration, under 50.00, I believe. You believe incorrectly.

http://www.uspto.gov/go/fees/fee2006may15.htm#patapp

[Sk8r]

Ah, me. Ow! I've never done this myself, well, not for decades. The price has certainly gone up.

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7528947#post7528947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lbrty9
You probably spent the summers in Rangoon fashioning meat helmets...
yea babe yea!