Patent Protection-Indiana

[Jack22]

Hi,
I have developed a product that I would like to protect in some manner but don't know if it is patentable. The product is made of terry cloth of a certain length and width. It has a hole punched in it to act as a guide and has two Velcro tabs sewn on each end. I have searched every data base I know on the Internet and really cant find anything like it but I do find various products made out of terry cloth. I would like to get a utility patent on it if possible as I know a design patent can be easily circumvented. If I apply for a copyright and later find I can get a patent does the copyright void or make the patent weaker? I don't have much money to spend on the patent and would really like to see if I can sell the product before investing any money in a patent. I have filed the idea under the Patent Disclosure Program. I understand this only establishes the date of the invention. Is this good enough until I see if it sells? I understand I have one year to patent the product if I make it public.
Any information you may give me will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

To my understanding a copyright will not overturn or invalidate a patent later obtained. Second, you can certainly sell the idea to others. Third, you definitely have to have money while going through the patent process. It may cost you around $150 to $1,500 a month in various patent office fees. Not attorney fees, but patent office fees. I would suggest you go to our section on patent law and read up on it. There are quite a few good links there. That link is here: freeadvice.com/law/611us.htm. You may also want to read up on this at www.uspatentinfo.com. OK?

------------------
Mark B. Replogle