Legal issues

[truckdoctor]

Ok Iv'e been busy welding my car and found I needed something to assist in the process but found nothing available that was suitable, so visiting my DIY store Iv'e purchased a readilly available tool and modified it. Dismantled, modified and re-assembled in a different configuration Iv'e found it does exactly what I need and will be of use to others, I'm wondering if I could sell many of them to suppliers or through the internet for a profit.
Does anyone know of any legal restictions preventing me from doing so.
Don't wish to go onto too much detail here just yet but it realy is a very simple idea.
Thanks

 

[madkayaker]

Only issues I can see are existing patents, CE conformity and if the kit isn't available then how many people need it?

 

[truckdoctor]

Some good points there.
As I see it this product would not require CE conformity ( not all products do and it is posible to self certificate) The existing product has been around for a long time so pattents would probably have expired.
Your last point is the "big one" I guess, until you see something new you never new you needed it.
Thanks for the reply.
Look forward to any other comments.
Thanks, Steve

 

[rtbcomp]

Make one and stick it on Ebay for a fixed price and see what happens. Make sure you remove any names &c put there by the original maker.

 

[Paul the Wall]

and paint it a different colour.

 

[Bauxite]

On a side note I don't know how people make money on Ebay with the fees they charge. Its not worth it, only to get rid of stuff.

 

[penfold]

On a side note I don't know how people make money on Ebay with the fees they charge. Its not worth it, only to get rid of stuff.

Ebay and Paypal are making quite good profits!

 

[stuvy]

Ok Iv'e been busy welding my car and found I needed something to assist in the process but found nothing available that was suitable, so visiting my DIY store Iv'e purchased a readilly available tool and modified it. Dismantled, modified and re-assembled in a different configuration Iv'e found it does exactly what I need and will be of use to others, I'm wondering if I could sell many of them to suppliers or through the internet for a profit.
Does anyone know of any legal restictions preventing me from doing so.
Don't wish to go onto too much detail here just yet but it realy is a very simple idea.
Thanks

Im sure its teng tools that have a thing on the back of them saying about they will buy a tool idea or design off you.

Your gonna need a patent for it and the costs will go into patent research which the patent office will do on your behalf. Expect to pay upto £5k at most or upto £1500 if there isnt anything already available that you haven't seen, dont just use google go into tool shops and ask for what your version of the tool does as the guys behind the counters are usually spot on(and i dont mean screwfix or toolstation)

 

[rtbcomp]

You can look here too

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/home.htm

 

[stuvy]

also to add if your interested it takes months for them to get back to you and action anything

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Just remember you become "the manufacturer" and as such are liable in law for all sorts of things such as a person hurting themselves, the tool damaging something else etc. To cover yourself you need product liabilty insurance and that is where you might come undone as it's VERY expensive and would require an independant report to be made about the tool before any insurer would consider covering. After investing several thousand pounds just to be able to apply for liability insurance which itself will cost an arm & leg you then have to incorporate such expenditure into the item costing of the tool.
Not trying to be negative but lots of people have great ideas and then find all the bureaucracy makes it unfeasable. Best option is to get a patent and then royalties from a licence to an exisitng manufacturer.

Paul h

 

[truckdoctor]

Thanks for your replies, seem as though it's going to be a long and expensive road. Interesting about the tool company buying ideas, I'll check that out while I consider what to do now.