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View Full Version : Anyone know about patents


erectordale
11-26-2006, 10:12 PM
I was wondering if anyone knows how long patents are good for or if they can be renewed ??????
XTrumpX
11-26-2006, 10:28 PM
Patents are good for 20yrs from date of application and are renewable in only certain cases.
x.system
11-27-2006, 07:08 AM
I think they are good for 5 to 7 years. If you remember nextel was the first to have the direct connect, their patent has expired. I doubt they are renewable.
XTrumpX
11-27-2006, 07:29 AM
They're good for 20 yrs. I just checked the US site.
Howdy
11-27-2006, 09:39 AM
I was wondering if anyone knows how long patents are good for or if they can be renewed ??????

Just incase info: I was told ( 10-15 years ago ) that if a company / person makes a small change to their original patented item they can extend the patent. This wasn't from a legal adviser, it was from Dad's ex-boss ( Jerry D ). So it may not be correct, but it's worth checking into just incase.
Howdy
XTrumpX
11-27-2006, 01:14 PM
I guy I went to grade school with is a patent lawyer and an ex-rider. Have you guys ever been to a ball game and they have those beer holders... the ones made from those 6 pack rings... that hold 2 beers? He's one of the lawyers that worked on that submission. Anyway, he said it's 20 yrs (use to be 17) and can be renewed with modifications. If you look around ebay, you'll find knock offs of old school stuff from the 80's. MOst of the old companies are out of business anyways or been sucked up by bigger companies, but once the patents expired, they're game.
A good example of a patent expiring and a company taking advantage is Aurora(A/FX slot cars) and Playing Mantis. The A/FX slot cars expired in '93 and Playing Mantis picked it up in I believe '97. Also, look at the Honda Z and CT knockoffs coming out of China. Honda hasn't lifted one finger to stop them. And some of the parts are interchangable.
Yamahondaman
11-27-2006, 09:23 PM
They are EXPENSIVE !!!
Back in the Day i made the ATC-TRX 250 Advanced Ign.
"They" Said it couldn't be done !!!!............... I DID IT !!! But........
i couldn't afford it and later on .............
the BIG Guy's saw my Idea like "Hinson" and .............
There Ya Go !!!
some advise................ DON'T Show NOBODY your Idea and GOOD LUCK !!