D.
Making Ramifications and Improvements of Your Invention
Once you’ve made an invention, write down the problem
and solution involved. Then, try to ramify it—that is, to do
it or make it in other ways so it will be cheaper, faster, better,
bigger (or smaller), stronger, lighter (or heavier), longer- (or
shorter-) lasting, or even just different. Why ramify?
- Most inventors usually find that their initial solution
can be improved or made more workable.
- By conceiving of such improvements first, you can
foreclose future competitors from obtaining patents
on them.
- Even if you believe your first solution is the best
and most workable, your potential producers or
manufacturers may not see it that way. So, it’s best to
have as many alternatives handy as possible.
- When you apply for a patent, the more ramifications
you have, the easier it will be to make your patent
stronger. (See Chapter 8.)
- Conversely, if the broad concept or initial embodiment
of your invention is "knocked out" by a search of
the "prior art" (see Chapter 5, Section E1) made by
you, your searcher, or the examiner in the Patent and
Trademark Office, you’ll have something to fall back
on, so you’ll still be able to get a patent.
- Ramifications often help you understand your basic
invention better, see it in a new light, see new uses or
new ways to do it, etc.
- Ramifications can be held back and introduced
later, after the basic invention has been "milked"
commercially, thereby prolonging the profits, as
duPont did with its Teflon®II . Be sure to try to patent
the ramifications as soon as possible, however, to
foreclose someone else from doing so.
In some situations, you’ll find that you won’t be able to
ramify beyond your basic conception. But give it a try anyway,
and make sure you record in writing any ramifications you do
come up with as soon as possible. (See Chapter 3.)
One way to make ramifications is to pretend that a part
of your device can’t be made due to a law or crucial material
shortage and then try to come up with a replacement.
In addition to making ramifications to your invention,
you should, after you’ve finished with filing a patent
application or you’ve gotten it out on the market, try to
make improvements—that is, more substantial changes. Why?
There are several reasons: (1) To extend your monopoly
and keep the gravy flowing longer; (2) To enhance your
credibility as an inventor—if you have several patents it
will make any infringer look worse in litigation and make it
easier for you to win your lawsuit; (3) Improvement patents
cut off avenues that another company can use to design
around your base patent; (4) A bank or financier will be
more likely to lend you money if you have several patents.
Back to Top
|
