My origonal design - What next?

dartanyon

dartanyon

Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
705
Hi everyone,
After visiting this site a few times I've joined and looking forward to a cutting edge into my interest in knives.
I have a special interest in survival and after much research I decided to design and manufacture a blade. I am really happy with the outcome and wondering what the next step is. I think I have to register the design but unshure if this is the only path to follow. Can any one give me alternatives to protect my design before I decide to share it with you and consequently, the whole world.
 
take some pic's and drawings and mail them to you self. dont open it. i did this years ago when i was a musician, by sending tapes to myself.
 
I only know what I've read around here, but protecting yourself with a patent or something is an extremely expensive proposition, probably out of the range of someone who just does this for a hobby. Sorry I can't be of more help, hopefully someone with personal experience will chime in.:)
 
I doubt that there is any knife design that hasn't been done, at some time in the past, or being done now.
Pretty hard to protect a design, easier to patent a revolutionary mechanism. Good luck.
BTW, welcome to the forums, and I wouldn't worry to much about someone here copying your design. Most of these makers are pretty original, and have their own designs.;)
 
Protecting yourself with a copyright or if applicable a patent is only of use if you are willing to go through the expense of suing someone if they infringe upon them. Also the cost of getting a worldwide copyright or patent is very high. Not worth it unless you figure your knife design is going to be worth huge bucks to you.

Even large manufacturers do not often follow up on copyright infringement. Look at all the knockoffs out there. The reason that they do not follow up is the huge cost of litigation.
 
if you dont want to go through the patent and copywrite thing (which you probably dont) you can post a picture and then if someone copies it we will flame them and never buy from them again.

But if you DO plan an doing the copywrite thing, dont post it, because then you can get into public domain problems.

Have you made it? cause if you have made it i would just post the thing, unless you have come up with something that is really different and awesome in ways unlike any other knife. if you are not a maker you can contact one and they could help you get your design into steel.

The type of things i would consider patents on would be things like knife locks and mechanical things, and copywrites perhapse on logos, symbols or maybe names.

best of luck
 
Thanks so far for the suggestions. As I understand a patent is for a process so that is not really an avenue. Copyright is more for literature, but a design is more my direction but due to my economic status, that aint really a choice either. Yes I have made it already and I am stoked! You know how when you get a new knife and you sorta gotta sleep with it, well I got it propped up next to my bed so I can rethink all possibilities to improve it. My design is so origional that there is a distinct feature that I haven't ever seen before and well worth copying, especially for a major supplyer. Yes I so want to share it with you just for the criticisims. The post it to yourself thing, I have heard it before but is that the same as posting it on this forum?
I am pretty excited by being introduced to this forum and enjoy reading the posts, thankyou all.
 
first of all ... welcome to the forums.

i dont think i have anything to add to what has already been said... but if you are really serious about protecting your designs and dont know which way to go from there, the only other thing that i could suggest is getting in contact with either the Australia Knifemakers Guild or the Australiasian Knife Collectors ...

Keith Spencer of the AKC knows his blades well and knows legal matters with concern to blades also ... so he might be someone who could help you out.
and the AKG is also a very helpful bunch of people who would be able to point you in the right direction without too much hassle.

the greatest problem is $$ .. as if you are looking to hold onto your design from everyone you will need to get worldwide security .. and that really does require quite a bit of $ and then, as people have stated, you have to always be on the lookout for someone trying to infringe on your design and then take them through the whole legal rubbish that comes after all that.

hope that helps a little.
:)

D.
 
If it isnt patentable you will have a hard time covering yourself with an original design copyright etc. Best bet is to keep it secret and have it manufactured and hope it doesnt get copied, but it happens ALL the time. Strider knives are being copied in China AND in the US. There is not a lot you can do except write nasty letters.
 
i got an idea! if it is a certain aspecct of the Fixed blade that you want to protect, TRADE MARK IT.

Say its your symbol! trademarks never run out, look what spyderco has done with the round hole, they had a patent on all opening holes (ran out recently) but you still cant put a round hole on your knife without talking to them first.

Tom who is making the Strider rip offs? What are they doing trying to capitailize on their style? And what would you think if i manufactured a frame lock folder with round holes all over it and an Oval opening hole, Called the SOS, Steel on Steel? :) :)
 
I've been looking at this whole thing recently too and I think Mayo's right on the money. Keep it under your hat for now. Get it manufactured if it is truly innovative and get it out there first. I would send good quality pics to the magazines so that your name is clearly associated with the product. Try to time the magazine press release for the debut of the manufactured knife so that when people see it they can actually purchase one. If you approach factories it would be a good idea to get them to sign a standard nondisclosre agreement so that you don't have to worry about them ripping you off.
 
I don't see what difference any of this will make. Company's that rip designs off don't care about the knifes prior exposure, they will wait to see how it sells, then they will rip it off. There are American company's that do this to makers right here, without shame. There is nothing to stop foreign manufacturers from doing it.
The only way is to keep the design secret, and never let anyone see it. ;) ,chances are though, the design has already been done by someone else at some point in history. There is not really much new under the Sun. :eek:
 
I'm overwhealmed by your responses, thankyou.
I think I'll draw it properly and do the "post it to yourself" thing, then approach a manufacturer for some sort of contract. I hope they don't ask for a design rego number. Now I just have to find some Australian manufacturers.
I'm look forward to posting pictures of my blade so you all can see what I've been talking about. Maybe I have re-invented the wheel but I haven't seen this design in any brochures or magazines yet.
The fellowship provided here is unreal! Thankyou again.
 
Dartanyon
It might be worthwhile to talk to Ferret(Dave) about getting it manufactured/starting out. He's a friendly guy & lives on the East Coast(Sydney) and is making some great knives. I think he has already produced a collaboration with someone who came up with a design. Do a search on Ferret to see some of his work
Regards
Pinpoint
 
To find out if the pattern has been done before, send a good picture to someone on the forums you know and trust. Till you've flipped thru all the Knives annuals, you just can't believe the exotic and wild designs folks have already made. I sure hope things work out for you with your design!
 
I sure wish you would go ahead and post a picture, I can't wait to see it, and besides I'm needing some new ideas.:D :D Just kidding, I sure would like to see it through.

Good Luck

Bill
 
Amazing how the same stuff comes up in different places:)


From Patent office website:

WHAT WORKS ARE PROTECTED? Copyright protects "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyrightable works include the following categories:

(1) literary works; (2) musical works, including any accompanying words (3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music (4) pantomimes and choreographic works (5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works (6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works (7) sound recordings (8) architectural works These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most "compilations" may be registered as "literary works"; maps and architectural plans may be registered as "pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works."

Note #8 WAY COOL!


I wouldn't think a blade shape would be patentable.
Most of that is for new unique etc. etc. etc.

Copyright might be trademark could be.

for more info look-a-hyear.:D

http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/
 
Regardless, also do as Rhino says and send it certified mail if your postal service offers such a thing. Do not open it until the judge tells you to.
 
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