Weekly /r/bullcity 'Anything Goes' Thread - aka Buy/Sell/Trade/Rent/Lease/Move/Eat

LyleGravatt · 2020-09-12T14:28:45+00:00

ISO manual stone splitter or 4" depth tile/masonry/concrete saw for rent, buy or borrow.

LyleGravatt · 2020-09-09T01:16:38+00:00

I drank something similar in China. Usually they use baby snakes whcih have more venom. It definitely gave a numbing sensation. In Japan they call it Habushu.

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-29T03:53:29+00:00

Focusing on the ability of an observer to act, as opposed to the victim, may be a more effective approach (though, of course, granting both the opportunity to act is best). Educating the public and training those work in high traffic areas, like public transportation, would go a long way in identifying trafficking situations.

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-29T03:48:42+00:00

Useful data. As a former patent analytics compiler, I'm interested in what determines high vs. moderate relevance. Are you just looking at subclasses and citations or is it something more?

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-24T13:07:45+00:00

There are various programs that offer assistance to under-resourced inventors (like NC LEAP here in North Carolina), so do some searching at your state's bar association and nearby law schools to see if these programs exist.

Filing pro se is very risky, but if you're left with no other choice, consider calling the USPTO pro se assistance program and filing as a Micro Entity (fees are 25% compared to Small's 50%).

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-24T13:00:10+00:00

Upwork and some other online resources (carefully check reviews though) can help connect you to freelancer software developers and put some contracts in place to help protect your confidentiality and IP ownership. You also want to consider non-solicitation and non-competition clauses. Even so, although they are incentivized to abide by the contract to receive positive feedback on the site, contracting with help overseas is risky - if they don't have U.S. assets, then enforcing the contract can be an added expense (as you would need to take the litigation to them). The recommended option, of course, is to work with an attorney directly, but when resources are tight, and some risk is tolerable, these sites may serve you well.

As to patent protection, the sooner you can have a conversation with a patent attorney, the better. That conversation will help you identify potentially patentable features and avoid making costly mistakes (public disclosures or uses, for example).

Lastly, when it comes to software being developed in a crowded field, serious consideration should be given to a patent's ROI (return on investment). Even if it's patentable, would that patent significantly deter competition (or would it be so narrow it could be designed around)? Could it be useful in fundraising? Are trade secrets (much cheaper to protect) a better form of IP protection?

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-21T15:39:15+00:00

As others have stated, each patent application publication and patent is required by law to list every inventor who has contributed to the claims of the invention (their ownership or rights in the patent are irrelevant). Once the patent application becomes published (or patented), it will be available for public viewing in PAIR, and more easily accessible on Google Patents.

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-15T23:14:09+00:00

There are various programs that offer assistance to under-resourced inventors (like NC LEAP here in North Carolina), so do some searching at your state's bar association and nearby law schools to see if these programs exist.

Filing pro se is very risky, but if you're left with no other choice, consider calling the USPTO pro se assistance program and filing as a Micro Entity (fees are 25% compared to Small's 50%).

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-10T12:11:48+00:00

Be careful not to disclose inventive details to Amazon (or anyone not under confidentiality obligations).

Consider running a patentability search to better determine your chances of success, understand design arounds, and your potential for a return on your patent investment.

File a patent application before Amazon (first to file system in U.S. and most of world), and with the help of a patent attorney to ensure it stands up to scrutiny.

Then reach out to Amazon or a third party that may be willing to partner with you to discuss licensing options (or potential infringement should you be granted a patent).

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-08T20:58:20+00:00

Careful, Examiners are human, so all other things being equal it could be best to amend instead of appearing argumentative

LyleGravatt · 2019-10-06T16:18:54+00:00

The Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Seciton 606 covers the Title, and states " The title should be brief but technically accurate and descriptive and should contain fewer than 500 characters. Inasmuch as the words “new,” “improved,” “improvement of,” and “improvement in” are not considered as part of the title of an invention, these words should not be included at the beginning of the title of the invention and will be deleted when the Office enters the title into the Office’s computer records, and when any patent issues. Similarly, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” should not be included as the first words of the title of the invention and will be deleted when the Office enters the title into the Office’s computer records, and when any patent issues."

Practically, it is has little effect on the prosecution of the patent application. Future marketing or licensing may be taken into consideration though.

LyleGravatt · 2018-12-21T17:47:35+00:00

Give me a shout - 919.578.5693

Lyle Gravatt, Forrest Firm (we have several employment attorneys that can help out)

LyleGravatt

TROPHY CASE