Yau Law Firm client, David Lombana, patented his Glo2Go device, which lights up the streets under skateboards and RipStiks.  Lombana is the typical “guy next door,” who had a great idea.  In our industry, he’s referred to as a garage inventor, or a basement inventor (for our clients in colder northern climates); that is, he’s an individual who perfected his innovative idea on his own.  We encourage and assist inventors of all types with getting prototypes made, protect other aspects of their invention (like trademarks), and negotiate license agreements.

Industry Canada announced today that the Canadian government is taking steps to “tap the skills of obscure basement inventors and turn their tinkering into innovative consumer products.”

Jo-Anne Yau, patent attorney at the Yau Law Firm commented on the article.  A reader suggested that inventors mail themselves a copy of their own idea.  This process has been dubbed “the poor man’s patent.”  Yau commented on the myth of the poor man’s patent as an effective way to protect innovators.  In the comments section, she explained that the litigation process means that the contents of the unopened envelope must be revealed prior to trial.  Furthermore, Yau offers suggestions on how best to protect innovation, so that courts would enforce an inventor’s rights.

The poor man’s patent is only one of many patent myths that the Yau Law Firm has clarified.  If you need other intellectual property myths debunked, contact us for a consultation.

Filed under: Patents by Yau Jo-Anne Monday, May 6th, 2013