Patent help for automotive parts

I'm creating parts of my own, mostly by ABS mold of exterior parts. Want to keep production in the U.S. and protect rights.

I'm looking for advice on when to use non disclosure agreements, advice for patenting exterior design parts, and how far those patents go.

For example, I create a part and sell online, and then someone steals the idea makes a slightly different design at the same location.

I have went through the design patent process. It was 9k for a simple item 20 years ago. I drew and did all the research at the patient office in Crystal City just outside DC. Trust me on this. Just produce the product with patent pending. This will protect your product temporarily and file paperwork yourself first.

For small volume, you are basically screwed if the Chinese copy it.

Weather Man said:

For small volume, you are basically screwed if the Chinese copy it.

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I do notice a lot of American Muscle parts sold by the Chinese. I'd like to know if the Chinese are AM's manufacturers, or if they stole the idea. I'm thinking the former, and they're being petty.

Twisted2v said:

I do notice a lot of American Muscle parts sold by the Chinese. I'd like to know if the Chinese are AM's manufacturers, or if they stole the idea. I'm thinking the former, and they're being petty.

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They know little guys can't afford to go after them. Even big fish weigh the legal cost, since the company they are going after just comes back with a new name and the litigator getting nothing, the lawyers are happy however.

Weather Man said:

They know little guys can't afford to go after them. Even big fish weigh the legal cost, since the company they are going after just comes back with a new name and the litigator getting nothing, the lawyers are happy however.

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It should really be the retailers that comply and refuse to sell the infringed products. Such as ebay & Amazon.

Hire a patent attorney, will be the best money spent.

Support your president, one of the things he's going after China for.

GOTSVT? said:

Hire a patent attorney, will be the best money spent.

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bingo, you really need a professional that understands the patent process and its pitfalls....

we've looked into a little bit and it seems like a bottomless pit that doesn't really protect you in the end unless you're talking real big bucks. It depends on how far you want to go, if you want to be protected in the US thats one thing. If you want to be protected worldwide you'd have to have a huge number of them (ie filed in different countries). If a big company wants in on your market, they'll tie you up in court and bleed you dry from what I've seen.

GOTSVT? said:

Hire a patent attorney, will be the best money spent.

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Much appreciated. Will look for one. Do you have non disclosure agreements for every one that knows about the product?

Is there any protection against look a like products?

Twisted2v said:

Much appreciated. Will look for one. Do you have non disclosure agreements for every one that knows about the product?

Is there any protection against look a like products?

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That's going to be a problem. A subtle/simple design change can often allow a competitor to get around a design patent. I would imagine multiple patents might be needed for single products to cover multiple design possibilities. I would highly recommend you talk to a good patent attorney and ask as many questions as you can. You need to find out how protected your designs will be with patents. The last thing you want to do is spend thousands of dollars on design patents and find out someone has found a way to get around your patent. And as others have said, you could end up fighting the copycats in court at a huge expense. Oh, it helps if your product designs have a superiority (design, materials, etc.) that can differentiate them from copycats. Best of luck!

Twisted2v said:

Much appreciated. Will look for one. Do you have non disclosure agreements for every one that knows about the product?

Is there any protection against look a like products?

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If you happen to be making a Shelby 1000 "style" hood, Id gladly test out the prototype for you.

My dad has filed quite a few patents regarding Environmental Reclamation techniques and procedures. Plenty of drawings an solid explanation written at a high school level. Hire legal counsel as recommended to make sure you dont have any infringement on an existing patent and that you are worded correctly so the patent protection is solid.