Design Concept

I would like to discuss a design concept for somethign that I beleive would be be of good commercial value, at a low output cost.

Naturally, this is a concept and may or may not be feasible.

I am not a boat builder, nor a marine engineer, as a matter of fact, I wirte books about the Outback.

If there is some whay that any discussions on this concept could be protected by copyright or whatever may be appropriate, I would like to hear about that as well.

Here goes, people.

 

I rather doubt you could insure anything as yours arising from a discussion forum with copyright (or patent) because someone might get inspired, puzzle through the difficulties (even issues you may not be anticipating), make a prototype that works, and run down to the patent office toot sweet ... possibly only to discover that something similar had been patented a century ago.

 

You can make a non-disclosure agreement contract which will protect you. Have a lawyer draft for safety.

 

So this thread won't be about the concept itself, only about how to stop evil-doers stealing it ? Throw us a crumb, for gawdsakes !

 

That would be a good idea, I think. But first I would have to discuss the concept in general with a knowledgeble person.

I have look the WWW over and have not found any sugesstion close to what I am on about.

Thank You Gonzo

 

Can we play 20 Questions, perhaps ?

 

Marakorpa, as long as you don't write books about yowies, I am giving this some chance.

 

No! It is about rental houseboats...With a twist.

No crumbs, Sire! as I think this could turn i nto manna, or maybe sliced bread!

 

Oh Dear! Another Cuddly Yowie Hater....How about Min-mins, or Native Consquabligators?

 

Min-mins I can believe, Drop Bears are about as likely as Yowies !

 

The drop-bear menace !

 

'Bear' in mind that Copyright and Patents are only as good as your wallet is - to protect them.

besides, the idea of caravan/houseboat hybrids has been done a lot over the last 100 years

 

The short answer is no. If you discuss it in a public forum, what you discuss enters the public domain, for the most part.

This, in my opinion, is as it should be. You want the benefit of open forum knowledge & discussion but want to reserve the fruits of that knowledge for your exclusive financial benefit. I object to this as I see it as parasitic.

If you have an idea that you think will be valuable and want to retain exclusive knowledge, hire an engineer, architect, designer, whatever, and bind them to confidentiality with a non-disclosure agreement. This is the standard approach. I've signed lots in my time (nothing to do with boats so it's not a disguised hint either).

PDW

 

Its too cold to be out in a metal shed working on boats in Oyster Cove by the looks of it

I remember all those confidentiality agreements - I have dozens of CD's with a copy of all the data and the systems from every project I ever worked on, but none of them were special enough to commercialize

I remember reading that Bob Clifford of the successful Incat firm, doesn't bother patenting any of his concepts - he reckons by the time the paperwork is done, he already has a better way.

Another guy who builds truck trailers, purports to build in minor design 'faults' that he knows how to fix in a timely way for his clients, but may end up causing copycats to end up with expensive catastrophes.

 

Definitely looking like a Seinfeld thread, imo. "A thread about nothing" we can talk about.