Yeah, we had the same scenario when we started our own business and are again for our homestead in order to sell products and canned goods.
I did get one of my prototypes into patent pending but what everyone around here wanted to charge me for making my products was outrageous and I didn’t want to send to China for manufacturing so I did nothing else.
Yes, there are several unscrupulous companies that advertise how they will help you get a patent. A friend of mine tried one, and there was the initial fee, then another fee, and then when they said they needed additional funding to do something else along the way, he decided it was a ripoff. And the "made in China" aspect of most things that involve making some product is another issue! I've heard that unless you can be reasonably assured of making at least $50,000 from an invention, it's not worth getting a patent. If I ever submit another application, I'll make sure it meets the following, 1) reasonable chance of getting a patent, 2) can be made in the U.S., and 3) would likely earn more than $50,000. And maybe a 4th, have a good chance of being able to sell the patent to one of the "big guys" (but big corporations are notorious for ripping off inventors).
Yeah, we had the same scenario when we started our own business and are again for our homestead in order to sell products and canned goods. I did get one of my prototypes into patent pending but what everyone around here wanted to charge me for making my products was outrageous and I didn’t want to send to China for manufacturing so I did nothing else.
Yes, there are several unscrupulous companies that advertise how they will help you get a patent. A friend of mine tried one, and there was the initial fee, then another fee, and then when they said they needed additional funding to do something else along the way, he decided it was a ripoff. And the "made in China" aspect of most things that involve making some product is another issue! I've heard that unless you can be reasonably assured of making at least $50,000 from an invention, it's not worth getting a patent. If I ever submit another application, I'll make sure it meets the following, 1) reasonable chance of getting a patent, 2) can be made in the U.S., and 3) would likely earn more than $50,000. And maybe a 4th, have a good chance of being able to sell the patent to one of the "big guys" (but big corporations are notorious for ripping off inventors).