Hi fastlaners. I have a product in mind, it doesn't fill a "need" but I think it warrants a pretty good "want". I am looking into getting a prototype made but before spending all that money I need some soft proof that there actually will be demand for it. However, I can see that as soon as I start advertising it, getting paid promos on Instagram and Facebook etc, someone may steal the idea from me, someone more experienced in the idea to product process. So I am considering a patent. I have read about it and it seems that patents are pretty much useless once some Chinese factory starts making your product. You can choose to fight them but that will cost a lot of money, also it could take ages (years) for the patent to be approved in the first place and that is time wasted. So I'm asking you more seasoned fastlaners, is this (possibly futile) attempt to protect the idea through a patent actually worth the time and money or is it better to just go ahead and get my soft proof? Its not a groundbreaking product and I'm not even sure it it warrants a patent. Also how would you guys go about getting soft proof? It's a drinking gadget, I cant find any similar products that I can adapt my product to and fill in the consumer gaps and complaints. AdWords doesn't seem to have much interest as I'm not too sure what words to search for because the product doesn't exist yet.
Also about getting the prototype made; does anyone have experience with a quality electronic product engineer that can incorporate Bluetooth into the product in the UK. I also need to code and app, would it be really expensive (and therefore best to learn how to code myself) or does anyone know any app coders who are not crazy expensive.
I'm open to all responses, thanks guys, good luck, get building!
Also about getting the prototype made; does anyone have experience with a quality electronic product engineer that can incorporate Bluetooth into the product in the UK. I also need to code and app, would it be really expensive (and therefore best to learn how to code myself) or does anyone know any app coders who are not crazy expensive.
I'm open to all responses, thanks guys, good luck, get building!
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