🔒 Locked

Finding Patents

Started by dpadam450 Nov 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM 0 replies 500+ views

Original Post

Nov 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM

I'm considering making some audio hardware (pedals/midi controllers/ samplers). And as far as I know, you can only patent technology and not ideas. So the thing I'm wondering is: 1.) Is that true? Like if you've heard of samplers like the MPC or M-audio etc, it seems I can create my own because its just an idea. Hit pads to make sound. 2.) Its hard to really find patent info in the first place. Have any of you dealt with lawyers? Do they find shit better than you? I searched on the US patent website but its still kinda hard to use.

Yann L

Nov 22, 2008 at 3:58 PM

Quote:
Original post by dpadam450
1.) Is that true?

No. You can definitely patent ideas, as long as they aren't 'abstract'. The details on how such a thing is interpreted depend on the legislation and even varies from court to court. Outside of the US, you normally need at least a working prototype implementation in order to file a patent. However, under US jurisdiction, you can patent basically anything. In fact, even alleged time machines and free energy devices have been successfully patented. The USPTO doesn't really care about what you patent, as long as you pay the fees (lately they tend to deny the completely ridiculous patent requests and ask for a working prototype). Whether or not the patent is in fact enforceable is usually decided in court later on. That's why companies with deep pockets have the tendency to win patent lawsuits, even if they're in the wrong...

Quote:
Original post by dpadam450
2.) Its hard to really find patent info in the first place. Have any of you dealt with lawyers?

Yes.

Quote:
Original post by dpadam450
Do they find shit better than you?

Hell yes. It's their job after all.

Quote:
Original post by dpadam450
I searched on the US patent website but its still kinda hard to use.

No shit ;)

Topic Locked

This topic has been locked by a moderator. New replies are not allowed.