Would 'Patent Pending' Discourage YOU?

mpm · 2010-12-08T13:09:14+00:00

OK, maybe slightly off-topic, but I'm wondering if 'Patent-Pending"actually discourages anyone from muscle-ing in on your sales turf.If you saw 'patent-pending' on an item, would you be less inclined toconsider opening up shop to compete with the item in question, orwould you automatically assume there's going to be some barrier toentry, or less money (sales) to be had, or legal fights down the road,etc..?I'm asking because I've latched onto a very niche product that I canmake some fairly serious dollars on, with very little startup orengineering costs. However, it will never qualify for a patent.It occurs to me however, that for ~ $100, I could file a ProvisionalPatent app - even though I would have no intention to follow it with anon-provisional utility app. That would allow me to legally claim"patent-pending" status in the sales literature, etc..., and mark theproduct. (Normally, I would never bother with a Provisional.)By the time the year is up on the Provisional, I would likely haveskimmed 60%-70% of sales off the top of the market anyway (like Isaid, niche product!). And even if I don't, it's not a hugeinvestment in time or money anyway...So, do you think it's worth the ~$100 to file, or not?More to the point, what does the term 'patent-pending' mean to you,esp, as it relates to discouragement?Thanks.-mpm

Dec 08, 2010 60 Replies

Rate this thread:

josephkk 15 years ago

you,

"Pat.

must be a

all

Pat

=A0voice phone: (928)428-4073

85552

Don't bet, just check. What is said and not said makes for some very interesting speculation. A lot like developing standards ala ANSI or = IEEE or ASTM or anybodies.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required

Would 'Patent Pending' Discourage YOU?

Related discussions

Getting a US Patent

Photodiode bootstrap phase rolloff

I have a patent!

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?