Posted: 11/15/2004 7:07:03 PM EDT
| So there I was today, sitting in day one of Rifle Instructor School, and it came to me. An idea for a training aid that I'm sure every department would buy at least one of (at probably $150 EA). I need advice on how to sell/ develop this idea quickly (it will help cops shoot better, something we always need right now) but don't want to get screwed. Any help on where to start would be very appriciated. Thanks guys |
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I don't even need to know what it is. The concept is always the same First, consult with a patent and copyright attorney. He'll work with you to secure legal protection rights for your idea/invention. You may need to have a prototype fabricated, and your new lawyer should be able to assist you in drafting up a confidentiality agreement that will protect your idea as it's being prototyped. Odds are that there's some company in your general area that is capable of making your item as a prototype and then on some scale of production later. Of course, that company would sign your confidentiality agreement or not get the work. You have your working prototypes now. Field test them with the aid of some of your intended customers. Make changes if need be according to their feedback. When you have a good product, form a simple corporation (an attorney who specializes in business law can help, and so can your local chamber of commerce), get some advertising made up, and advertise where your target audience is likely to be looking. Build a mailing list, set up a commercial business account with your bank, create a customer file, keep records of every transaction, and from there it's a matter of keeping your actual manufacturer (your subcontractor) busy and when he delivers the finished items to you, you pack them and ship them to your customers. Those ARE the basics. Reality may get slightly more complicated. CJ |
It's a reactive pineapple isn't it?!? I'll take 100!! All kidding aside when you're ready to E&E your product. Don't forget the guys on this site. There's more than 12,000(ball park) years of LEO experience between the members on this board. And I know I'm always looking for a better way to train. Just my .02 |