• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

engineering consultants

MattZilla

MattZilla

Jun 26, 2013
5,634
10,392
CNY
#1
There's a great company that released a product that has sold at most appx 3% of what it should have because a design flaw which renders it useless in less than two weeks of use. There are also flaws in their own setup videos for getting optimal action. I figured out a cheap replacement that should make the product a minor hit despite the fad it's tied to plateauing out. I doubt I have it in me to be a useful employee in the long-term, so I'd like to offer the fruit of my labors on my acquaintance's example of their product in the form of a consultancy, but I just don't know how.

Can I just leave a message with the head of marketing and hope (s)he calls me back and further hope that I wind up with a little dough to minimize my student loans?

What do I do?

Thanks in advance!
 
#6
Vince Klortho said:
Is this a patented product? Improvements on a patent are themselves eligible for a patent. Unfortunately the process for getting a patent is long, laborious, and expensive. Regardless, at least document your idea so you have a record of it and some degree of protection.
Click to expand...
that's the thing, the fad is sure to be dead by time the patents come through.
 
#9
@Vince Klortho
What I have:
-dated doodle on ks string envelope
-3D sketch of principles in autocad '14
-3D sketch of original product with basic mods in ac14
-3D sketch of op with complete ideal mods in ac14
-modded product back to owner and undergoing real-world durability test. (It is functionally a night/day difference)

Should I go so far as to stick the files on a thumb drive and then mail it to myself (not sarcastic)?
 
Last edited:
#10
MattZilla said:
@Vince Klortho
What I have:
-dated doodle on ks string envelope
-3D sketch of principles in autocad '14
-3D sketch of original product with basic mods in ac14
-3D sketch of op with complete ideal mods in ac14
-modded product back to owner and undergoing real-world durability test.

Should I go so far as to stick the files on a thumb drive and then mail it to myself (not sarcastic)?
Click to expand...

No, all that proves is that you mailed something to yourself. Getting a Notary Public to sign and stamp your drawing would be more positive though even that could still be disputed. The real question though is whether this idea of yours can prove successful enough to make it worth pursuing. It's far too easy to underestimate the effort it takes to market and manufacture something, and far too easy to overestimate the sales revenue that may result.
 
#11
nashvillebill said:
The real question though is whether this idea of yours can prove successful enough to make it worth pursuing. It's far too easy to underestimate the effort it takes to market and manufacture something, and far too easy to overestimate the sales revenue that may result.
Click to expand...
This question is constantly on my mind with several of the ideers rolling round my head- "How worth-the-effort is it?" Had I had reason to have the idea three years ago, sure. Now? Pffff. It will absolutely require some major marketing bucks to overcome the overwhelming negative reviews of the original product.

I'm plagued with the thought- someone on salary was likely charged with the task of grouping several other salaried employees together for a week or more to develop this lump of dook. Three people taking home 40k/yr each is 2.3k in their collective pockets after taxes, ssi, etc. for that week. Including unemployment insurance and taxes, the company paid close to 5k for just the development of it. Now they've been absorbed into a bigger company who may want to wash their hands of the product, or they may pay half of what the original company paid to get a nearly too-late product out and available to a world that mostly doesn't even know that such a niche product even exists. Hhhhhhhhh. As soon as I get my degree I'm going back to landscaping.
 
#14
My family owns an injection molding business. I am the managing director. IANAL. We are contract manufacturers and as such are approached all the time by people who want to sell ideas.

What is called for here is an NDA or Non-Disclosure Agreement. This document would forbid the other party from using your idea for a defined period of time should they not enter a sale or royalty contract with you.
Usually a few years.

This contract effectively short circuits the patent act. You can have it signed as soon as tomorrow. When your idea becomes put into use by the client they are establishing a "prior use", allowing them or you to challenge any copy cats.

Have your lawyer draw up an NDA that will effectively cover you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fdeck and MattZilla
#15
Lol@ "my lawyer"

My lawyer handles my speeding tickets. I'm in an ex-city that is barely large enough for two malls and one blues club. Hate to be having you holding my hand through this @charlie monroe, I should be googling a "patent attorney" or something else to get this and potentially other ideas rolling?
 
#18
You could tell them that you think that you can help them improve their product, and would like to talk. Make sure they understand that you're offering to do the work, not just to tell them your idea, because ideas are a dime a dozen. If they have been through some kind of merger, they may just not be able to pay attention to that product at the present moment, and might be happy to pay someone to take care of it for them, especially if it's a potential cash cow. The typical next step is that you and the company sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement. The worst that can happen is that they say no, or rip you off, but those things are possible in any business deal.

Another avenue, more hypothetical unless you have some money, is to buy the rights to the product, fix it yourself, and profit.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back