Holmer Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Has anyone out there ever sold an idea to any of the big lure companies? I have heard they are usually not very receptive to private individuals approaching them (I tried contacting Pradco with no response). I have an idea I am sure would sell, but don't really have the inclination to make it happen myself. Maybe I'm lazy, but I'd really rather sell my idea to someone with the facilities to mass-produce it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampBaits Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 I haven't heard anyone hear say anything about selling ideas. Nice to see a fellow Iowan on the boards though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssrmr2 Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 your bait, your name, your money,your business what else could you ask for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
microtek60 Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 tell you what tell me your idea and I will run with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 I've been pouring now for 5 years and have my own soft plastic company. One thing about doing it yourself is that you can only get to a certain level of sales/exposure unless you have lots of cash flow. Working with larger companies has many advantages and requires a lot of work as well. I have read articles in Fishing Tackle Retailer about guys that have gone that route. One was a fellow who invented a swimming jig and "pitched it" to Pradco. He was successful and they are now carrying his deisgn. The article also mentioned he's still not rich lol, so its not like your going to be living large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlures Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 I think it is easyer to marked and produce the baits your self. Once you are established and creat a demand then it would be easyer to "sell" your ideas or product to a larger company. I have been aproched by a couple of them wanting to produce baits for me. At this point I still manufacture all my stuff but I may have to sublet some labor in the future. Also you have to be very careful and protect your ideas. the fishing industry has more theives and crooks that you could imagine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmer Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Tubeman and Mattlures: Could you give me a little help on what it takes to protect my idea? I will most likely end up selling a few baits locally, but do I need a patent or copyright to prevent my idea being stolen? Do you use a patent attorney, or is it possible to "do it yourself?" I can't afford to look up an attorney in the phone book right now, so have not spoken with one yet. Anything you'd be willing to share would be of great help. Thanks. p.s. I checked out both of your websites - nice stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 If you patent a bait you must be ready to defend it and that will cost you big time. If you don't defend it; you pretty much wasted your money on the patent. If I remember correctly from previous posts; someone mentioned that the minimum for a patent defense was around $125,000. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmer Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 That is a lot worse than I would have guessed... Do you know; if an original lure is made by someone and is subsequently stolen by, say, Strike King (just an example), would the originator be screwed, or would he have some legal standing just by being able to prove he was making the lure first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlures Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Holmer they have insurance policies that cover legalfies if you need to defend you patent.It could cost you very little to defend your patent. There are also atorny'y who will defed your patent for a largere share of the settlement and you pay them nothing unless you win. A patent is expensive and can be dificult to get. A copyright is easy and protects your original sculpture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't take as little as a 10% change in the bait design to get by a patent? www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmer Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 So, what you're saying, Mattlures, is that a copyright on my original would probably be my best bet? I would imagine you have gone through the process with your swimbaits; were you able to get a copyright yourself, somehow, or did you hire an attorney? I would sure be happy to find out I don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a patent! Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthworm77 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 This isn't necessarily on the same line as this post is going but didn't someone on this site pour beaver baits for Bass Assassin? I mean, the mold was the same 1pc that we were all using the last couple of years. I might be wrong but I thought a member from here was pouring for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximusgunn Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Nova They changed the law on the patent laws 2 years ago, from what I read and the way I understand it, It says you can no longer modify by 10% or use it for personal use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Thanks; I stand corrected. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmer Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Does anyone know where I could look to study on patent and copyright law? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungeonhawk Posted January 21, 2007 Report Share Posted January 21, 2007 Hey holmer I too am from Iowa, Des moines, Same as you. Good luck with everything. And I was approached for my one of my original baits by a relatively small, yet widely known national lure maker. They offered a pretty paultry sum for my design. I turned it down. Obviously they can just steal my idea, but it was a slap in the face, I couldnt accept it. Ryan of http://www.mymomisbecky.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmang Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 How paltry was the offer? A hundred bucks--a grand-- less--more? I have a new bait out that is selling like hotcakes and a buddy suggested I contact a few companies to sell the idea so I have alot of interest is seeing what is possible. PM if you like See ya and take care. Shmang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
