shop4patents Blog

Question: Patent Mar.25.84 is printed into the metal of this antique piece of equipment, with one wing nut on both ends. My question is where can I look on the Net to see what this is, and info on the patent on it? Thanks Jan

Answer: You can go to http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html and do a search for patents.

The nformation you have given does not look like a United States patent number. Perhaps it was patented on March 25, 1884. If so, it will be difficult to find the patent as you can only do keyword searches on patents issued from 1976 to the present. Generally, you need the patent number to find any patents issued before 1976. You could hire a professional searcher to find the patent as they have extensive resources and experience in finding patents.

Question: If I am denied my patent, can I still enter the patent contest? Can I enter the contest via regular mail? Should I send drawings and descriptions of my invention? Also, how can I get and find a manufacture to make a prototype of my invention?

Answer: If you are denied a patent it is very doubtful you can enter the patent contest because any company could make your idea. If you have a United States patent, then only you, or whoever you license the patent to, can make, use, or sell the invention as stated in the claims of the patent. Those rights only apply to the United States. To protect your rights in other countries, you need a patent in those other counties. Without a patent, anybody can make, use, or sell your idea.

Entrepreneur Magazine’s Inventions, Patents & Beyond, the internet radio show for inventors, our exciting and informative topic is pros and cons of using a web site to promote your invention. Join Jillian, John, Steve and our guest Mr. Lin Combs. Lin Combs has over twenty years of experience in technology, marketing, and business growth. He has given presentations and workshops on these topics at numerous venues such as the Minnesota Inventor’s Congress Expo and the Small Business Expo in Minneapolis, MN. Recently his firm, eye 4 image, was selected by the Minnesota Small Business Administration office as a showcase success story for the work they performed for a client. Eye 4 image concentrates on building and marketing websites that succeed. As their company slogan says, “Make your website stand up and do something!” More information may be found on their website, www.eye4image.com. Lin may be reached by E-mail at Lin@eye4image.com or via their toll-free number at 1-866-974-9676.

Entrepreneur Magazine’s Inventions, Patents & Beyond, the internet radio show for inventors, our show topic is Don’t let Greed get the Best of You. You have created the next million dollar idea. However, before you can start counting your Benjamins, you need to protect your idea and ensure you will not be funding somebody else’s early retirement. Learn how and why you should to protect your idea before you market it or disclose it to the public. Joining our hosts Jillian, Steve and John is inventor and actor, Mr. Lewis Abernathy. Lewis has been in some productions that should be familiar to you including one of the best movies of all time, Titanic. You don’t want to miss this!

Last week’s show was Trends in IP and specifically about the proliferation of inventor’s TV shows. Are those shows a good thing and are we on the verge of an IP explosion? Listen to Jillian, Steve, John and our guest American Inventor Contestant Erik Thompson as we explored this exciting topic. Don’t worry if you mised the show. You can still hear it in its entirety. Go to www.youinventit.com or www.wsradio.com and you can listen to past shows from either site.