Expert: George H. Morgan, P.E., Patent Agent - 6/28/2008

Question
In the States a "shotgun" is being designed,which will not aim at people,it will not be used for law enforcement,it will not shoot bullets,it will not be used against animals or for hunting. It will be mainly used by companies and organizations.It will be for a useful purpose.It will be used mainly outside.It will eject something solid (not smoke or water or laser or rays). What will it be used for?
NB. This a serious question from a serious radio Q+A program.It is about a new invention (probably not in use yet).Can you please help?
Thanks,  Yiangos


Answer
Mr. Yiangos, I consider this a serious and legitimate question.

I apologize that I have never heard of this before. I suspect it is an urban legend as usually developments that probably will be patented are kept under wraps by the inventors. If they publicized it, they would have a "grace" period of one year to file for a patent in the United States, but they would lose the right to file in most of the other countries of the world.

Also, if your Question and Answer program gets into the subject of inventors, you would be doing your listeners a big favor cautioning your listeners that in the United States, scamming inventors is a big business, in the order of $300 million per year.  Sadly, some of those scammers advertise even on AllExperts. AllExperts blames it on "Google", which I doubt.

Inventnet, Davidson, Inventionhome are a few of them.

My web site: http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent has an inventor resources page, which has a link to the Ron Riley Scam Alert Page that has many of those sharks enumberated. Mr. Riley is a famous fighter for independent inventors rights.

Happy to help any way I can. Best wishes to you.

George H. Morgan
Professional Engineer (since 1958)
Patent Agent (since 1973)
http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent