Unusual way to bring a new game

DrMeh, You can get a provisional 1 year patent through a company called "Thoughts to Paper" in Maryland. First they do a patent search for about $300, then they issue a strength factor on your game. If it's a go, the charge another $650 to get the job done. They use their own patent attorneys for about 1/3 the cost of a local patent attorney. I did one 2 months ago. Good luck!

" then they issue a strength factor on your game." Why do I think they rate every game a winner ?

So mikeabiomed's only post is a plug for this "Thoughts to Paper" company? Hmm...

The strength factor relates to the patentability of the game not the winning ability or appeal.

Beethoven9th,
I did my homework and figured, why pay more than necessary on a patent when you don't know where it's going. I have no doubt there are other companies out there doing it. BTW, they were excellent and on top of their "game".

Quote: mikeabiomed

DrMeh, You can get a provisional 1 year patent through a company called "Thoughts to Paper" in Maryland. First they do a patent search for about $300, then they issue a strength factor on your game. If it's a go, the charge another $650 to get the job done. They use their own patent attorneys for about 1/3 the cost of a local patent attorney. I did one 2 months ago. Good luck!

I'd strongly recommend using an attorney with experience in the gaming field. Understanding the questions regarding patentability of casino games, given the current PTO landscape, is not something best done by an invention-services firm staffed by generalist attorneys or patent searchers.

I would have to agree when obtaining a non-provisional longer term patent. It's worth the cost in the long run. The fact is, we have 1 year to make something positive happen over and above the provisional patent pending. Not everyone has the appropriated funds to spend at the time they submit for the initial patent and for those individuals the invention services firm works as well as the information provided to them. Believe it or not, some patent attorneys actually discourage new gaming patents and others give a 3 to 6 month timeframe to complete. Please understand, I am not pushing either method, just offering an alternative solution. I'm new at patents but wanted to share my experience.

Quote: mikeabiomed

I would have to agree when obtaining a non-provisional longer term patent. It's worth the cost in the long run. The fact is, we have 1 year to make something positive happen over and above the provisional patent pending. Not everyone has the appropriated funds to spend at the time they submit for the initial patent and for those individuals the invention services firm works as well as the information provided to them. Believe it or not, some patent attorneys actually discourage new gaming patents and others give a 3 to 6 month timeframe to complete. Please understand, I am not pushing either method, just offering an alternative solution. I'm new at patents but wanted to share my experience.

Unfortunately, skimping on a properly-drafted provisional can actually limit or destroy your ability to get a regular patent after that year is up. IP is a strategic investment, though not everyone treats it that way.

Have to agree with ME here.....if you can't invest in the IP part of the equation, there really isn't any reason to move forward.

You aren't going to be able to get feedback, tweak a game concept & get it ready for market with dealing procedures, logo work, math proof, etc. in a 12 month timeframe. Unless that is your full time gig and it that is the case you ought to have enough capital to get your IP in good shape with an attorney that will add value to your project.

Since you won't get it all done in 12 months, you are going to have to file a utility patent application. So engage the IP attorney early in the process to do the novelty search, file the provisional in a manner that doesn't screw up the utility filing, suggest what needs to be in & out of the claims language and understand the risks and perils of the casino game IP world as it stands.

Jon & RichN are worth more than what they cost and an indie developer is being penny-wise and pound foolish it not using one of them (or another IP attorney of their liking). Hey, if you don't think the idea is worth a $5K of legal fee investment, why are you wasting your time pursuing it?

It takes some $$ to be in the business with a slim chance at success and much less $$ to be tinkering around with a hobby and have zero chance of success.

Understood, and yes I agree 5K is worth the investment if the idea is marketable. I will pursue it daily and when it's time, I will pay the necessary fees for a non-pro patent. I do work full-time now and may retire in 6 months from the daily grind of the past 44 years. I do have support to move on it and I thank you and Math Extremist for your wisdom and direction. (Jon and RichN?)

" Have to agree with ME here.....if you can't invest in the IP part of the equation, there really isn't any reason to move forward. "

Hopefully I am the exception to that rule. I actually put a 1k retainer down with the same patent attorney Roger used in the past. Then my daughter Melanie had a breakdown and I had to help with her family expenses. Talk about a great lawyer. I told him to shut it all down and bill me for whatever I owed him. Instead I got a $500 check in the mail.

Just got off the phone a few minutes ago, while reading this thread Mary Jo called. Timing belt just went out on her van. She drives to work at 4 am in one van, husband takes kids to school in the van that broke. Bank of Daddy will get her a car for work. I have great retiree medical coverage from AT&T. My end of $46K heart attack was $56. But prescription drugs for Josie last year were $1,300 from me and $8,00 from AT&T. Medical coverage for Josie is $3,600 a year. Her heart bill not in yet, but expect charges to be similar to mine.

I am sure a lot of younger people with a game idea have similar financial responsibilities. So 5K may indeed be beyond them. For all the knocks on game distributors occasionally spouted here, I have found the guys here to be saviors. I had joined RMIC Rocky Mtn Inventors Club around 2000. Pitching a on-line poker game then. Most other industries are either NIH Not Invented Here or We will only look at a fully developed researched and marketed product. Which they will then steal. Inventors would pay $300 to attend a quarterly exhibition night, where the Club president would try and get people in the industry to attend and review patent ideas and/or
proto-types.

So you can imagine my initial shock when Roger Snow announced a first come first served Focus Group. WTF ????
An industry leader saying just bring your game. It was a pretty sorry game I brought, but I only had a day to think of one. Now Switch has made one hell of an offer. 10-20% is beyond generous, but don't tell him.

I will say if you can not afford the $100 or so for a PPA, well, have fun elsewhere. Amazon will sell the latest Nolo book on do it yourself patent. Not saying that's the best way, but only the cheapest. If you are lying about not afford 5K, might be the biggest mistake you ever make in your life.

The on-like poker industry is the direct opposite of casino's as far as trying to get anyone to listen to you. I always get an email back from Bally, Galaxy, Deg, Teliot, Elliot Frome, Stacey Perry etc. NEVER get a reply from editors of poker magazines, websites, people who sell the on-line poker platforms, etc.

Roger had said in the past, he will even look at an idea on a paper napkin. LOL But if I were him, I would just blow my nose on it.
If you can not at least invest $100 in a PPA, ...GO AWAY >>>>>>

OK OK I will now get down off my soap box and start looking at craig's list for a car for MaryJO

Does the van have an interference engine? If not perhaps you could replace the timing belt.

Pretty sure it's the timing. Mechanic looked at it earlier today. He even found another engine for $400 and willing to do the labor. Van has 270,000 miles on it. Can scrap for 300-400, pulling off brand new times, replacing with used, bare thread from a friend's garage.
Hoping to come up with $500 plus, will pot another $1500 out of my pocket, and get her a car that will get 30-35 MPG.
She has a newer van for hauling around my 5 grand daughters. The van was a 1998.
But thanks for sharing.

Have you considered Crowdfunding?

Heard of them, but doubt there are interested in a casino game. But I have been wrong before.

How about Kickstarter, If your game has at least provisional protection, set up a kickstarter promotion. Detail what you plan to do with the funds and you have to offer the kickstarters that agree to fund your project something in return.