I have a business opportunity but not sure what to think about it.

[tq60]

WD40 has no patent, to do so would require publishing the exact recipe.

Trademark can be a logo or shape.

Copyright may cover artistic work.

Changing the shape of an existing item could be considered as copyrighted trademark...


Lawyer folks know how to creatively apply different aspects of different code to specific outcome.

Einstein created e=Mc squared by combining non related rules into the results.

Maybe this Joe guy is too cheap to buy one for his use, or they think you need additional sales, anybodies guess.

A phone call is a must, record it if you can, and request email confirmation of any suggested plan.

While at Nextel we had issue with quality of a BNC T connector supplied by one vendor that caused substantial problems, I opened one up to investigate and later, was made responsible for inspection of submitted samples, so I was sent bags of 25 or so samples from about 10 manufacturers for inspection, only one was accepted.

A reseller of product requesting a sample is not out of the question, it is your presentation of your product for them to sell, if you asked them to sell, they would expect a sample, so no flags here.

There does need to be a legal document due to your IP, specifically the modification of the existing part.

Maybe they could supply the Virgin materials in a certified form, meaning buying them from wherever you do, then you only do the machine work and return.

If you do not already add some trademark to the end product, consider doing so.

Having them provide the material and you doing the machine work changes the liability and profit points, pushes most of the liability to them.

Their profit now can be on the purchased part and you and them both make profit on your machine work.

You do not need to source their stock so less bother, receive materials, do the work and send back, receive payment.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[MikeWi]

One thing that no one seems to have considered is that the legal protections are only as good as your ability to pursue legal action against an offender. If you can't afford the time and money, it doesn't really matter what they've done.

 

[Charles scozzari]

This morning I got up to an email from a competing business. Background on this, I modify transmission housings to drive a cable speedometer and do well for a one man band. I'm retired after a stroke and don't spend a ton of time in my shop but it's a nice side gig for me. Everything I have other than my houses is paid for. I sell mostly on ebay (yeah they suck) but even though I have a website for my conversions and products I only reach a very small fraction of people that ebay does. So they are a necessary evil in my case.

Here is my website for info.

Mods---this is not a ploy to sell anything ok? It;s just for info to connect to the email message I'm referring to.

http://t56cablespeedometer.com/

Anyway in the email you will see they want to find a new supplier for cable drive housings. He said their current supplier is having quality problems. I've seen their work and yes quality is not job one by any means. At first I was excited about this, but then my next thought was they will copy my parts. They are big enough to afford to do that, but is it worth it to them? It's taken me years to research and develop these and it would be a steep learning curve on them if they did that.

So here is the email from them. So opinions on this? Should I take a chance and have possibly have my parts copied, or am I biting off more work than I can handle?



On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 07:44:21 AM PST, customer Support <support@shiftworks.com> wrote:




Good morning,

My name is Joe, and I serve as the Lead Tech/Customer and Dealer Support Manager at Shiftworks Inc. I recently had the opportunity to explore your website and was truly impressed with the quality and range of your products.

I have a few questions that I would appreciate your help with:

1. For the 4L60 and 4L70 transmissions, do you offer models that include the tailshaft transmission mount?
2. I currently have a 4L80 transmission in my 1988 Chevy Caprice and am considering using a tailshaft from your company. Before moving forward, I would like to review the installation instructions to ensure compatibility. Would you be able to send me a copy for review?
3. Shiftworks Inc. is actively seeking a new supplier for mechanically converted tailshafts. Our current supplier has unfortunately not been meeting our quality standards recently. Would your company be open to discussing the possibility of a partnership in this area?
4. Lastly, we would be interested in receiving a loaner tailhousing to inspect the quality of your product firsthand. We would be happy to return it within a couple of weeks. Should there be any concerns about the return timeline, we are willing to provide a credit card for collateral, ensuring the return of the kit as agreed.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and hope we can explore opportunities for collaboration.

Kind regards,
Joe
Support Team Lead
shiftworks.com
(585) 924-2700

Hi, I think they would have copied your units already unless of course you have a patent.

 

[Eddyde]

Patents last a maximum of 20 years and cannot be renewed.
A copyright can last much longer, it can be applied to a shape (Eg. a sculpture) but I don't think it could applied to a mechanical part.

 

[extropic]

@tq60
Your example of bags of 25 BNC connectors is a non sequitur compared to Alloy's products.
BNC connectors are commodity items cranked out in mass quantity. Alloy's products are very low rate production or made to order.

 

[extropic]

It seems @alloy has forgotten to follow this thread.

 

[matthewsx]

One thing that no one seems to have considered is that the legal protections are only as good as your ability to pursue legal action against an offender. If you can't afford the time and money, it doesn't really matter what they've done.

Pointed that out in my post #33

John

 

[B2]

A phone call is a must, record it if you can, and request email confirmation of any suggested plan.

Recording a phone call with out permission is illegal in some states. I think it maybe a felony in some states. This is tricky to do legally and is usually not looked upon favorably by the recorded.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

If a reputable company is asking for one to look at, there’s plan to either copy or create their version.
They will study your work and see if it is feasible for them to make themselves, or use your idea to make a product of their own -or have it made by an offshore entity.
It is not worth patenting the product, as they can change a few dimensions or modify a concept to get around patents, or just steal the idea and deal with legal problems later.
If you want the work and don’t care about getting your ideas stolen, then go for it!
Ask yourself if it sounds too good to be true.
I’m smelling something fishy, but I’ve been burnt before

 

[WobblyHand]

If a reputable company is asking for one to look at, there’s plan to either copy or create their version.
They will study your work and see if it is feasible for them to make themselves, or use your idea to make a product of their own -or have it made by an offshore entity.
It is not worth patenting the product, as they can change a few dimensions or modify a concept to get around patents, or just steal the idea and deal with legal problems later.
If you want the work and don’t care about getting your ideas stolen, then go for it!
Ask yourself if it sounds too good to be true.
I’m smelling something fishy, but I’ve been burnt before

I watched a company go down the drain doing this. I was employed by that company. I left within 3 months of that deal, seeing the handwriting on the wall. The company vanished within two years. Without protection and the means to actively defend your IP, it's not a good idea to hand over your crown jewels. Company employed over 150 people. All the jobs were lost.