I’m asking this for my boyfriend who doesn’t use reddit. He’s in the fishing industry and has this brilliant idea for a tool that fisherman use everyday – but a much better version of it that would make the use of this tool much easier to use. It doesn’t exist yet, we checked. The problem is he (and I) have ZERO clue on how to get this going… I know that he needs to build or create some sort of prototype, right? Is there a company that can help with this? I know there are these “invention help” companies that exist, but are they legit? If they are legit, are there some that are considered better? How do they work and make money? Sorry if I’m just spewing a bunch of questions but I’m just at a loss when it comes to this stuff. I really want to help him make this a reality because he’s struggling financially at times and I just have this deep-down feeling that this could really be a great thing not only for him, but for the fishing industry in general. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  • thalassicus@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I understand Chinese manufacturers copying a design, but if you have EU and US patents protecting you, how are they shutting you down and shortening the product lifetime?

    • CathbadTheDruid@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      how are they shutting you down and shortening the product lifetime?

      Because you have no recourse.

      Unless you’re multi-billion dollar corporation, you have zero influence in China and can’t stop them from doing whatever they feel like.

      If you invent a widget and it costs you $20 to manufacture and you sell it for $40, there’s absolutely nothing that stops anybody or everybody in China from making it and selling it for $10.

      • thalassicus@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        You did not address my question. How are the knockoffs able to sell on Amazon or do anything other than drop-ship from China to the EU and US markets? I understand enforcement is expensive, but specifically how are knockoffs shutting you out of these markets since the patents protect the right to sell in them?

        • CathbadTheDruid@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Because nobody will enforce your rights for you unless you can legally force them to, which requires a lot of money and quite often influence.

          patents protect the right to sell in them?

          TL/DR: Patents protect exactly nothing unless you have the clout to back them up.

          • oalbrecht@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            This is why places like Amazon should be made partially liable for allowing illegally sold products.