What is the name of your state? CA
Hello,
I filed a Provisional Patent on March 29, 2003 and received confirmation. In April 2003 I started selling my tool and I labeled all advertisements, brochures and the tool itself as "US Patent Pending".
I am currently working on my original design patent and I plan to file it this June.
I have heard through various newsgroups that another party is launching a similar tool (although I have not yet seen the tool and have not been able to determine the degree of similarity). This party is fully aware of the fact that I have a provisional patent and of my intentions to patent my item.
My question is this....Once the other party launches their product and I can determine that there is a possible infringement issue, should I send them a "polite letter" stating my concerns about "design and method simularities" (I'm going to avoid using the word "infringement"). Or should I just keep my mouth shut, do my own thing and take action in 2-3 years once the patent is officially issued?
Any advice to a new inventor would be appreciated. If anyone is interested... my tool is on my website at www.LePoppet.com. Just click the Bead Roller button.
Thank you
Maria
Hello,
I filed a Provisional Patent on March 29, 2003 and received confirmation. In April 2003 I started selling my tool and I labeled all advertisements, brochures and the tool itself as "US Patent Pending".
I am currently working on my original design patent and I plan to file it this June.
I have heard through various newsgroups that another party is launching a similar tool (although I have not yet seen the tool and have not been able to determine the degree of similarity). This party is fully aware of the fact that I have a provisional patent and of my intentions to patent my item.
My question is this....Once the other party launches their product and I can determine that there is a possible infringement issue, should I send them a "polite letter" stating my concerns about "design and method simularities" (I'm going to avoid using the word "infringement"). Or should I just keep my mouth shut, do my own thing and take action in 2-3 years once the patent is officially issued?
Any advice to a new inventor would be appreciated. If anyone is interested... my tool is on my website at www.LePoppet.com. Just click the Bead Roller button.
Thank you
Maria