While the process may sound simple, or people may like to believe that the process is simple, the patent and product development process is complex. That’s why an inventor or product developer needs to work with someone that not only understands the process, but has practiced it extensively with many product and in commercial / business settings. One also needs to work with somebody that they can trust as a business associate, someone that will look out for your best financial and business portfolio interests. Mike offers all these things at a very competitive rate, and believes that you will not find a better overall value for services in the patent and product development service area.
A KNOWN, PATENT TO MARKETING STRATEGY TO KEEP YOUR COSTS AS LOW AS POSSIBLE
THE PATENT & PRODUCT PROCESS
The process begins with an idea or conception of an idea of product. This concept is then analyzed for usefulness, marketability, patentability, feasibility, and most of all profitability. Once the inventive concept has been reduced to an apparatus or method, a patent search is performed to understand what prior art (other patents or applications) exists in the space. It’s important to realize that patentability is complex, one that knows how to navigate the major hurdles of patentability can be overcome with novelty, non-obviousness, and providing strong patent documentation to successfully describe your product or method. As the operator of a small firm, Mike strives to help you increase your chances of patentability, while operating with low overhead to keep expenses and your costs at a minimum.
APPLY SCIENCE AND CREATIVITY INTO YOUR PRODUCT
The two major hurdles in the patent process are Novelty and Obviousness. A novelty rejection occurs when your inventive concept is anticipated by prior art. An obviousness rejection occurs when your inventive concept is obvious in light of at least one, but generally more than one reference or piece of prior art. Being an inventor or product developer creativity and science are likely inherent skill sets that you possess. Mike is not only a patent practitioner, he is an inventor and product developer experience and industry that knows how to leverage both creativity and science to overcome the problems of novelty and nonobviousness. It’s important to know how this works so one can navigate the patent prosecution process.
The essence of a good product is summed up in two words, Unique & Superior. Evaluate your product, is it Unique & Superior? Remember, a product may not be unique and superior in it's current form. Some modification may need to occur to make it Unique & Superior.
ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS SAAVY - A MAGNIFICENT COMBINATION FOR PATENT PROSECUTION
While we’re talking about patents and intellectual property, it’s very important to realize the significance of engineering aptitude and business savvy. The goal should not simply be to obtain a patent, it should be to develop product or method, one that can be engineered and reduced to practice such that it is a unique and superior experience for customers. Your patent is there to protect your business investment such to create barriers of entry for your competition. This allows the savvy business person to explore his or her product or method for full profitability for as long as protection of the patent applies. Engineering is required to drive a product to be unique and superior, business acumen is required to fully realize markets and profitability of a given product or method. While Mike works with his clients to achieve this for his clients many other patent practitioners or attorneys may simply be working to obtain a patent leaving large gaps in the marketability and business and of the effort.
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY (DFMA), UNIT COST & PATENTS
When screening potential patent practitioners are patent attorneys simply ask them if they know what DFMA stands for? Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) is a process by which a product developer or inventor works to optimize his or her product such that manufacturing and assembly costs for a given product are minimized. It’s important to realize that this process needs to occur at the same time, generally, the patent prosecution occurs such that the aspects of DFMA, including changes to a product or method are included in the patent. With 25 years of experience in products, manufacturing and intellectual property, Mike works with clients to build this into the patent prosecution process to take full advantage of potential cost savings. This drives unit cost down and increases profitability.