I have written a document which clarifies the specifications and claims of my patent pending IP, describes the social media sharing application that will be created from it, outlines the benefits of the application, and explains how it will be executed. I am ready to talk to anyone at any time about it and I want to present this information to the people who can make it happen effectively and efficiently. The companies I have in mind are MLBAM, Google, and Apple. What I need is a lawyer or individual with the resources and contacts to help me get in the door, along with the willingness to move forward with patent pending technology before actual claims have been granted. I have filed a thorough provisional application simply for protection over the general concept of the application and to officially establish that I am responsible for its conception. My aim moving forward is to talk to executives with one of the aforementioned companies and contract the rights of my patent pending IP, so they can begin developing the app while simultaneously filing a full non provisional application based on what I present to them. Is there anyone out there who can help me make this happen?
Ira W DavidIntellectual Property Law AttorneyLas Vegas, NV ·
You seem to be taking the right initial steps but this section of is not for finding a lawyer. There is a FIND A LAWYER function for that. Many firms offer free or reduced fee initial consultations and you are free to query them on their ability to get your ideas in front of the right people at that time.
Attorneys and nonlawyers who do technology licensing typically are members of the Licensing Executives Society ("LES"). It's a worldwide organization of professionals, of which the USA-Canada organization is a constituent. www.lesusacanada.org I've attended many of their meetings.
That said, I wonder if you've engaged a patent attorney to ensure that the claims you are filing will be likely to overcome the significant barrier to patent-eligibility raised by the Supreme Court decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank. This has created chaos in the market for intellectual property in the subject matter you seem to be talking about. If so, talk with that patent attorney about getting such an intro to the companies you mention. If not, then engaging such a professional would be the most immediate task I'd recommend to you.
I think you have an idea for a social media application and have described and defined it in a "document" and in a provisional patent application. All good, first steps.
The next step, however, is NOT to begin discussing the application with potential buyers or investors. The next step is to hire a patent attorney to evaluate the already-existing patent landscape to determine whether (1) your application infringes one or more currently-in-force patents and, if not, (2) the likely scope of patent protection you can expect, and (3) the marketplace effect of that protection [including the efforts required and obstacles to overcome to enforce the patent if granted].
Without this foundational information potential buyers and investors have no way to value the business proposition you're offering. Good luck.
As experienced Patent Attorneys and Licensing Professionals the most important possession we own is our credibility. Nobody with the qualifications that you seek will attempt to bring a provisional application drafted by a pro se applicant which has not been searched, cleared and professionally drafted I suggest that your first step is to retain an experienced Patent Attorney to search your disclosure and determine if the concept is patentable. I disagree with my colleague that a right to use (non-infringement ) search and Opinion is appropriate at this time, since the cost of such a search is prohibitive and you have not yet fully developed your proposed commercial embodiment of your idea, so it is also premature. If your idea is patentable, before any disclosure is made, a professional provisional, or non-provisional application needs to be drafted by an experienced Registered Patent attorney and filed in the USPTO. At that point you should also have a business plan prepared for presentation of your idea. Only then should you or your attorney even consider approaching the iconic company's that you propose n your question. The better path is to approach an investor, so you can prove the potential success of your idea in the marketplace. Then, you may be ready to approach or be approached by a potential licensee. Many of us belong to US and international organizations where we have access to licensing attorneys in these companies.
I suggest that you contact an experienced Registered Patent / IP attorney to advise you in confidence about your options and potential costs. Many IP firms offer an initial free conference by telephone, video conference or in person if you are available locally and would be happy to speak with you. Call and speak with an experienced Registered Patent attorney who can assist you.
