advice about getting a patent is not one size fits all talk about getting fat here, intellectual actual property, annual physical prototypes, etc. It's something that I've had to get schooled on myself, cause, I don't know like I'm, not a lawyer by backgrounds, but at least now, after a couple of years of doing it talking with people, I know what I dont know. Ok, so it's taking me while, but I think I actually have a decent answer to this question, which comes up from time to time to data question comes from Rebecca, but also to give a shot out to current Wade cabinet in Boston. Karen is one of my go to patent attorney experts that have helped me out over the years. So thank you Karen thinks anybody else who sent me an email saying, there's what we really need to know so what are the question by the way this is crystal without you listening to status of school, the question is: should I hire a lawyer into a patent, but let's hear it directly from Rebecca,

I grasped my name is Rebecca and I live in LOS Angeles. I'd be listening to your shown, loving at for ordinary here I have an idea that I can't stop thinking about I've wanted needed and thought about this item for over a decade to solve and everyday problem. But your show has finally inspired me to take action. I know so at least a few of these as I've made some makeshift ones. That people tell me have changed their lives and friends. I mentioned the idea to he tackling me to ask then we can get one, but I can't figure out how to decide. If I need a patent, You stay not worry about that. Just focus on Asia. Take action get started, but once in a while, it was important that from one went through that process, the money higher lawyers, things Dante, but it is a really simple idea that could be easily copy. Also, there is the question of how do I make it have? You are

of creating a step by step guide for people like me, who have a very simple idea, but are not makers of things I know what it would look like. Power would function, but I have never actually need something bore. You have mentioned the website up, work which I've been exploring for freelance product designers, but again or do you just take the plunge and trust someone in another city with your very simple idea? Well, thanks a lot for your time. I look forward to your answer robotic. Thank you so much. You are awesome so glad that the show is hopefully helping you move forward with this idea. They have had for a very long time. At least you excited about it, and I truly hope that this year, cereal takes him next steps. So what's gonna dive in here and by the way I want to focus on probably the first half of your message more, I dont actually have a step by step guide for what you mentioned or less. Let's maybe talk about up work, another time

Let's focus on something you said that I took note of, and you said referring to me, you say often not to worry about getting a patent just focus on the idea, but once while it seems it was important that someone goes to that process. Ok, so that's really good. What's the difference there? How do we break it down, and I do believe for the most part for a lot of people is much more important to focus on the idea itself, because your greatest challenge your greatest obstacle in making this successful, not just creating the product. Selling the product. The greatest challenge we face isn't that someone will come along and steal. Your idea is that no one will care enough to bite like that is by far greater problem for most people and most projects, but to be clear, as you said, sometimes it is important to go through that process, so Its deafening, not one size fits all, but I'm going give you a rule of thumb, you and our other listeners that I hope my patent lawyer friends will not take me to task on.

The bottom line is ultimately, as I said, I'm not a lawyer. So if you're in this place, you been thinking about it for a long time, it sounds like you might want to go and at least get a consultation to have morbid informed answer that relates specifically to your idea, but, generally speaking, if you or anyone truly has a technology or an invention or process that is fundamentally unique, and the value of that product or feature is based on the property of being unique hand, you believe it is potentially valuable when it make this down. Can you believe it is potentially valuable so much so that you're willing to both weight and invest in real money. That's when going for the patent process is important. Okay, so, as promised, let's break it down a technology or invention or process that is fundamental

unique so in some ways there's nothing new under the sun, but in some clear where you have made something that you can point to say. Actually it hasn't been done this way before and I'm pretty convinced of that. Maybe someone can come along and give a specific advice as to whether that's the case or not, but you believe at least something is fundamentally unique. Second, the value of that feature is based on the property of being unique. Let me give you a few examples here. I went to pull some examples from our archives, all different episodes of people who got through the process of getting a patent, and I around a reusable bendy straws. I found mugs made of ice hairbreadth made by a mother and daughter, do oh neck hammocks sold by physical therapist, and I, where protection sold by a? U S, marine, who invented a solution for storing sunglasses under hats. So in each of these examples link all them up in the shucks need to these examples. What makes it unique and what makes a valuable are either directly connected, or at least close

Related Kane, alas, characteristic was you're willing to both weight and invest in real money, which should be self explanatory. But the point is: if you really want to go down this road, you people you won't be able to go to market right away. You might be able to obtain a provisional patent that essentially protects you're filing date, but, according to the experts, I've spoken to a definite doesn't give you the same protections that a non provisional patent Jeff and to get that, takes a long time in a fair amount of money So, once again, if you upon this situation, we think it might be important, and you really serious about this project go and get a consultation from a real patent attorney. Asked questions specific to your situation can also get that person to explain in detail the required process, as well as their best evaluation. Their best judgment.

On how long it will take in your odds of success, but remember, patent or otherwise. The greatest challenge we face. Isn't that someone will still? Your idea is that no one will care enough to buy it so, regardless of which path you pursue. I think that is something important to keep in mind. I would like thank you again Rebecca. Let us know what happens. We would love to update our listeners unless there is, if you have a question, come decided. School dot. Com, slash questions will be featuring them throughout the year, along with updates today's none That show notes, are its honest, school dot, slash eleven tent at its one thousand one. And tat one when one zero without include transcripts as well, and you can sign up regularly updated email series. Thank you for listening. More is on the way my name is critical about. This is site vessels for

from the onward projects.