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Top Things to Know Before You Start a Manufacturing, Importing or Selling Business

Written by: Clark AD Wilson

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Posted about 3 years ago. 1 helpful vote, 0 comments

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Got an idea for a business?

Brainstorm how to make some money through manufacturing/importing/selling. Figure out the specifics of the product you will sell.

Internet Search

Using the specifics of the product, use an internet search engine to find out if any competitive goods are being sold.

Patent Office Search

If you are confident, use the Patent Office search tool (USPTO.gov) to see if there are any patents or published patent applications which might already cover the product you want to sell.

Contact a Patent Attorney

Have a registered patent attorney review your search results and then conduct a second search of patents and applications.

Analyze Results

From the search results, see if there is a wall or an opening for you to proceed with your dream.

Found a Wall?

If you run into a problem patent, you may want to change the design of your product to get around the patent claim language. Alternatively, you could approach the patent owner and buy the patent or negotiate a license agreement.

All Clear?

If you have really found nothing close, then file a patent application first. It may help you get funding. Otherwise, get a Freedom-to-Operate opinion from the attorney that states he/she has not found any hurdles. Good luck.