Folks,
I guess it is patent week here. Let me begin that on top of all I said about
patents, after selling their PC Manufacturing business to the Chinese, IBM
has decided to make free many of their important patents. The #1 patent holder
in USA, IBM, is losing interest in patents!
I have in essence the same answer to both of these questions. We wish to
sell items that please customers. Customers are the most important, but product
or service is the hardest part.
We will be constantly changing whatever we develop to meet customers changing
demands... to patent something you will necessarily change is rather a waste
of time and money.
Thus, first and foremost, we want to find out what customers think of our
product idea. You know the drill...either go in and try to "buy it" or take a
sample in for instant feedback. Get your customers lined up first. This
rather precludes keeping anything "secret."
So no matter how complex or simply your item, get a designer involved. if
the thing needs FCC licensing, or FDA permits or whatever else, the designer
worries about compliance issues. If further, the designer deems a patent,
trademark or copyright worthwhile, let the designer have that. You get the
customers and the income and the product to sell. (A sample royalty contract is
up on
this listserv website).
This is exciting stuff, don't get bogged down by details... customer product
supplier...you manage that, and leave the details to the experts.
John
In a message dated 7/18/05 11:27:59 AM, roslyn_robinson@hotmail.com writes:
<< Hi John.
I have a question regarding an idea that I have regarding cable TV. How
would I go about finding out if my idea has been patent. Also, I'm pretty sure
that my idea would need to go through IEEE, FCC and other Engineering
regulations. Where should I begin as far as researching this?
Thanks.
Roslyn Robinson >>
I have a product that I would like to have manufactured. I've identified
China as the best place to have it made and have a list of potential
manufacturers. I know what I want the product to look like, but I would
like to have some input from the manufacturer. I don't have a patent for
the product or the idea. How much should I share with the potential
manufacturers? Do I need a patent? I know you don't recommend wasting time
on a patent, John, but I'm still a little bit nervous about sharing my idea.
Would appreciate any input from anyone. Thanks, Kim
Monday, July 18, 2005
Re: patent & Idea Question
Re: Idea Question
Hi John.
I have a question regarding an idea that I have regarding cable TV. How would I
go about finding out if my idea has been patent. Also, I'm pretty sure that my
idea would need to go through IEEE, FCC and other Engineering regulations.
Where should I begin as far as researching this?
Thanks.
Roslyn Robinson
Patent Question
I have a product that I would like to have manufactured. I've identified
China as the best place to have it made and have a list of potential
manufacturers. I know what I want the product to look like, but I would
like to have some input from the manufacturer. I don't have a patent for
the product or the idea. How much should I share with the potential
manufacturers? Do I need a patent? I know you don't recommend wasting time
on a patent, John, but I'm still a little bit nervous about sharing my idea.
Would appreciate any input from anyone. Thanks, Kim
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Distribution channels for US products in Shanghai
Re: [spiers] Distribution channels for US products in Shanghai
In a message dated 7/13/05 10:01:37 AM, akmin2000@yahoo.com writes:
<< I'm actually not looking to export my own personal
product but may have an opportunity to help a US trade
company that has exclusive distribution rights for
certain products for China.
***Well, problem #1 is there is no such thing as exclusivity for anything
with anywhere in the world. Should Carrefour China place an order for any USA
product, say EverReady Batteries, through your "exclusive holder" I too can get
them regardless of the exclusive. I would simply buy the batteries from
EverReady too, take title to the batteries, and then sell them to Carrefours
with
no one the wiser. There is nothing EverReady, Carrefours USA or China can do
about it. No law has been broken. I deed, this is preceisely what the 'gray
market" consists of: legal, non-approved trading. It happens to Mercedes
Benz, it can happen to your friend, and will as soon as there is any biz
worhwhile
happening.
I was once retained by a fellow considering putting up his house to get the
money to obtaiin and exclusive with China on a product... the USA holder was
selling the exclusive. We met, we talked, the seller revealed the exclusive
was worthless, we left, my client kept his house.
Claiming exclusive, even if legitimate, is rather a confession of naivete.***
I wanted to get some preliminary info to see if I
might be able to help and I do have some contacts in
Shanghai. But I definitely thought of you as someone
who may have some solid insight on doing the export
side.
***Forget about contacts, they are like any other professionals: you don't
ask your dentist to cash a check, you don't ask your banker to clean your teeth.
Find the #1 dealer in the product today, and work with him.***
I like your idea though about targeting the small
business or area...however most local Shanghainese
will most likely not be able to afford the US products
at the price they need to sell once in China.
***That is preeisely small, as in small scale. Siince so few in Shanghai can
afford it, it must go thru exclusive stores, in small scale, with necessarily
high margins, just like specialty stores in USA. Also, what are you worrying
about China in-country distribution issues? Leave that to the best importer
in China for your product. You ought to worry about getting the product right
to Chinese importers specifications.***
The target would be the smaller slice of working
professionals which small slice as it may be, is still
a lot of people....the middle class segment of China
consists of 300 million people! and they are steadily
getting more affluent. They just need to be educated
on how great our US products are! :)
***The eduication is the expensive part, and ought to be left to the Chinese
importer.***
The challenge is not in the logistics (though I will
definitely check out if they could be saving there),
***Rather the importer's problem...***
but on targeting and infiltrating the right
distribution channels to get their products in the
right places. >>
***By now you know I disagree... what the Chinese need from you is ever
changing and tweaking the product to meet ever changing Chinese demand... I
perceive a case of "organizing around a resource" inasmuch as you have a usa
supplier and not much else. I think you'd be far better off pursuing that thing
only
yo can do, and that would make you quite happy. But I like nothing better than
to be proven wrong. if this works out let me know. if not, try what I
advocate.***
John
Accessing Templates, Files
Folks,
You recently received an email mentioning I put up a designer royalty
contract template at the listserv website, where you can download the template
as
well as a copy of the book.
I leave a .pdf version of the book up at our website as well so you can
search it, cut and paste, etc at your convenience.
From time to time I'll be putting up other contract templates, case studies,
etc up there, and I'll announce as new items go up.
So to review,
eVersion of the book and templates:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiers/files/royaltycontract.pdf
You do have to create a user name and password to access.
Buy a print copy of the book:
http://store.yahoo.com/wileyccc/howsmalbustr.html
Course online:
http://store.yahoo.com/wileyccc/tradworinnin.html
Thanks!
John