Why prototype is discarded?With 'throw-away' prototyping a small part of the system is developed and then given to the end user to try out and evaluate. The user provides feedback which can quickly be incorporated into the development of the main system. The prototype is then discarded or thrown away. Can a person be a prototype?The prefix prot-, or proto-, comes from Greek and has the basic meaning "first in time" or "first formed." A prototype is someone or something that serves as a model or inspiration for those that come later. How much does it cost to get a prototype made?Prototype costs can range from a $100 to upwards of $30,000 for high fidelity connected devices. One of the most common questions we get is how much does a prototype cost to make? This is a tricky question, as prototypes can be free or cost upwards of $100,000. How do you sell an idea to a company without them stealing it?You can sell an idea to a company without a patent. You need a way to stop them from stealing the idea from you. One way to do that without a patent is with a nondisclosure agreement, aka NDA. The NDA would limit the company's ability to use your idea without paying you for it. What is a poor man's patent?A poor man's patent is essentially writing out a description of your invention and then mailing that written description to yourself. This postmarked envelope supposedly acts to create the date of your invention as the date this written description was postmarked. Why is prototyping so expensive?Materials are still expensive, design takes time, and sometimes prototypes have to go through multiple revisions before a final product is developed. For this hypothetical situation, we will estimate the cost of prototyping an aluminum part on an automobile, say a newer, stronger knuckle joint for an off-road vehicle. How can I get a patent with no money?The Patent Pro Bono Program attempts to match inventors with registered patent agents or patent attorneys. These practitioners volunteer their time without charging the inventor. However, the inventor still must pay all fees that are required by the USPTO; these cannot be paid by the practitioner. Can a manufacturer steal your idea?Ideas alone are not protected under intellectual property law. There are two primary ways that you would be able to sue the company for stealing your idea. The first is if you did, in fact, reduce the idea to a protectable form before telling the company about it. Is owning a 3D printer illegal?Patented Objects: Having a patent on an invention or innovation means no one else can create, use, or sell a product without the patent holder's permission. Therefore, 3D printing of a patented object is illegal, and the patent holder could sue for patent infringement. What are the 3 types of patents?What kind of patent do you need? There are three types of patents - Utility, Design, and Plant. Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof. plastic prototyping |