So I have an innovation which i want to prototype
Any ideas of Firms that may concentrate on wind sport product design?
Or anyone studying design at uni?
Cheers.
I'm studying Industrial Design at UNI 3rd year. Do some detailed drawings and then approach one of the kiteboarding companies. I can do 3d CAD modeling as well as rapid prototyping if need be.
I'm based in sydney, attending UWS. Patents are a geat idea or at least IP. Check your idea against existing patents before you attempt to go any further with it.
Are patents expensive? Simple answer "Yes". Patent attorneys add significantly to the cost as well. It all depends where you want to patent your invention. Just for Australia - not to costly. You have to pay per country (EU is now one country thankfully). World wide big $$. Provisionals are a start and are good for a couple of years before the big costs come in ie tens of thousands of dollars. Provisional give you time to establish backers and raise venture capital.
You have to way up how much your invention is eventually worth compared to what it will cost to get to a worldwide market.
It may not be worth going down the patent line for a small item that has a limited market but if you have something that everyone (10 million people) will want and you can make it for $10 each then it is worth persueing.
As i said at the start. your best bet would actually be just geting some IP on your design and then approching a kiteboarding company to financially back it. Of course this will mean that they will own the patent on the design but im sure if they like it they will be more than willing to pay for it. We have the same problems entering design competitions, we spend all year producing a product to have it freely advertised as part of the competition for everyone else to ripoff. Us UNI students are too poor to afford welll pretty much anything. Getting proper protection on a design would mean selling my car and kites.
Once you disclose your inovation to others it is very difficult clain ownership of it. Beware, sharks are not only in the water.
Hey Guys,
Just out of curiosity, what is Design / Industrial Design? What type of subjects,etc are done? How many years, etc?
My career is painfully problematic, always have problems and I am over it now.
I have kinda had enough of what I do and for a couple of years have been looking for an alternative - I would love to become a kite hobo 
but don't think that would support my family and I wouldn't be able to afford new gear even though I can't now.
Cheers
Rich
but don't think that would support my family and I wouldn't be able to afford new gear even though I can't now. 
