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Copyright & Patents/When can I sell my IP?
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Question
I currently have a patent pending on a self disinfecting toilet seat. I was just wondering if I could sell it as that or if I had to wait for it to complete the process and be a patent.
You may sell it at anytime, with or without a patent. However, obviously, the question is will anyone buy it. I suggest you commence your sales activities at this time, as it takes much longer than anyone ever expects. I suggest a good confidentiality agreement (yours, not theirs) signed by potential buyers prior to disclosing the material, if possible. Often potential licensees won't sign any confidentiality agreements, but often they will. So, work first with the ones that will.
Keep in mind, if & or when your application is published, or your patent issues, you will be besieged by scam artists with slick literature & persuasive "pitches" to represent your invention for you. These are scams. Many are listed on the inventors resources page of my web site, on the Ron Riley Scam Alert page link, thereon.
Some of the worst, including Inventhome advertise on AllExperts. Allexperts blames it on Google. A number of them are connected with IP&R out of San Francisco.
Hope that helps. Best wishes on your project.
George H. Morgan
Professional Engineer
Patent Agent
http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent
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Answers by Expert:
George H. Morgan, P.E., Patent Agent
Expertise
U.S. Patent Law only, no copyright or trademark qualification. I was a volunteer in the past, but my homeland defense activities pulled me away at times, and I was dropped. If you want me back, I am willing to come back.
Experience
Thirty one years as a Registered U.S. Patent Agent and a lifetime in product and manufacturing process and methods development as well as sales and marketing of new products with a number of blue chip corporations.
Organizations
Rotary, Society of Automotive Engineers, American Army Aviation Association, Registered Professional Engineer, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Indiana Guard Reserve Officer
Publications
Various Society of Manufacturing Engineers & Society of Automotive Engineers technical publications. Ref. my web site: http://www.evansville.net/biz/patagent
Education/Credentials
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Machine Design Option), L.S.U., Baton Rouge, Louisiana; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics Option), University of Missouri at Rolla, Missouri, Helicopter Maintenance Course, 18 weeks, Ft. Sill Army Aviation School, Troop Information and Education Leadership Course, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Numerous Society of Automotive Engineers Seminars, Dale Carnegie Management Training Instructors Course.
Awards and Honors
Bausch & Lomb Science Award, Indiana Homeland Defense Service Ribbon, 2003.
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