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New Product Idea

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@marodo2712, i am happy to draft and sign a non disclosure agreement and then give you my view on its viability from an average joe perspective, but as @queen bodecia, says the only thing stopping you taking it forward is you.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@olderscot, The price I was talking about was retail, I imagined that the cost of production, packaging, distribution would be £20 per item max (seems like a lot if you're making thousands of them), but like I say, I'm certainly no expert.

@queen bodecia, I was asking for advice, and advice I received, but if you filter through my responses you can see that it's something that definitely can't be protected, it's a complicated piece of kit that would require multiple materials and manufacturing techniques (easy for the big names, but prohibitively expensive for low volume companies), should I source a prototype and show it to ANY company there would be NOTHING to stop them from stealing the idea - NOTHING, therefore I would have spent time and money handing an idea to a multi billion $ company, this thread has been me being frustrated with that truth.

As for the patent attorney (thanks .@Renmurew), I appreciate his offer of advice, but I stated that what he read here was what I would have said to him in a PM, and I already know that it can't be protected.

As for being lazy, I'm a 50 year old self employed home based IT consultant who's just started his own company (just as in last month) who is the main carer for my 6 year old twins, I'm sure you'll appreciate that I've worn my finger nails down to the nub scratching my a*se all day.

If I saw a way to turn this into money I would, believe me, but the big companies would pounce on it, so it's just no worth it.

To sum up: it's a good idea that is difficult to manufacture and can't be protected, THAT is why I'm frustrated.

Let's bring this to an end, thanks for all of the advice.
ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@ansta1, I'm happy to do as you suggest.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
BTW, I have NO idea how to a PM on this forum.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
An IT consultant who has no idea how to send a PM?
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
@marodo2712, click on 'send/read messages on the top right hand corner. You have a Pm.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I'm not a very good IT consultant to be fair, just cloud migration, wired/less networking, and the very occasional website. Just started a website promoting MS Office 365 in the St Albans/Hertfordshire area.

Anyway, usually you click on the members name and you're given an opportunity to PM, but here you have to click on the very faint cross to the right of their name.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Richard_Sideways wrote:
@marodo2712, while formal patents are hard to get, take forever and cost a small fortune, copyrighting a design is relatively straight forward, cheap and comparatively quick. Likewise to register a design. While they're not patent grants, they would offer some protection over your design while you work out what to do with it.


What's involved in doing this? I'm loving this thread, it's reminded me of an idea I had a while ago and forgot about. Well, I took it as far as I could in terms of research and design, then life just got in the way. But it's a good idea, and it still hasn't been done by anyone else yet. Not clothing, a piece of ski kit which currently exists, but if combined with another piece of kit used in a different industry, the function would be dramatically improved. It's the combination of the two products and the connection between them which would be novel.

Thoughts?
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I have a (day) dream, that a bunch of people with innovative ideas form a (legally binding) association where (God only know how) their ideas are investigated and developed and taken to market, where some people put cash into an account to allow this to happen, perhaps some kind of innovation company that would (I think) offer legal protection for ideas discussed between members of the company.

I have a (day) dream that people who are experts in this kind of thing (business, legal, patenting, registering etc) provide their services FOC in return for directorships/shares with a long term view,,,. I HAVE A DREAM!!

I have a (day) dream that I don't have to pick the little darlings up from school shortly, then spend the next 5 hours listening to them arguing about f***ing Lego.

I have a (day) dream that the sons of former skiers and the sons of former board owners will be able to sit down together at the chalet table of brotherhood. (Actually, that's probably going a bit too far.)
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@marodo2712,
It could be worse. They could be arguing about the x-box.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
They'll need an Xbox first.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Is it a weather proof straight jacket? I'll keep guessing 'til I get it but that has to be close based on some of the above.

@marodo2712, you fear your paradigm-shifting idea will get copied/stolen but it almost certainly won't - others sit back and watch how it goes for a while. If successful, it'll get copied. It's the pioneers & settlers routine.

Your example of cost of manufacture to wholesale price to retail price is off kilter. Working backwards a retail price of £40 means £33.33 net of VAT. The retailer will want to double their money so let's call that a wholesale price of £16.67. To get the manufacturing price right you'll need to be putting in minimum order quantities to China/Bangladesh/Taiwan/wherever in the spring in order to be ready to ship for autumn/winter. At that point you'd need to raise an LOC for it (its the same as paying there and then almost) and you'll probably have a good quantity of unreserved stock in there that you might get stuck with. Your retailers won't pay you probably until the turn of the year or later - a year from sampling to getting any money would be usual. You have shipping to pay for, sampling, packaging, agent commission, bad debt provision (people always forget that one), yourself, website, currency fluctuations etc etc. As a complete guess I'd say your cost of manufacture would need to be well under £5 in order to achieve that selling price of £40 - I know other businesses in other markets where that kind of ratio is required. If it's ski gadgetry and it's sewn together I'm thinking 'impulse buy' which means under £20 retail is more like what the market will dictate so you'd better be able to make it for a few pounds.

I would go find out who sources the most ski stuff from China in the UK and get in front of them somehow.
ski holidays
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Great answer @Pruman, great answer.

50/50 impulse/design.

I'd love to start an innovation company.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
The irony of the last statement hasn't passed me by.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
You snooze you lose. Just today I have trademarked the Snowbrero TM, your everyday solution to sunburn, oil drops, bird poop and mariarchi bands.

To be joined by its accessories range of Ponchsnos TM just the thing for holidaymakers to Whistler, Morzine and Scotchland with their famous liquid snow. Considering licensing some 70s TV images for a throwback signature piece.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@Dave of the Marmottes, damn!

I've grabbed the design registration and trademark for the snow straight jacket - The Pruman Broadmoor TM. Only £40 but you won't need poles or gloves so represents a massive saving.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
So reading the thread I think the current value of the idea to @marodo2712 is zero, as there doesn't seem to be a way to implement it.

If that's true I'd actually suggest making it public here and now: you'll still get zero for it but it will be a weight off your mind and if it's so good then at least you'll be able to buy one for a reasonable price -- plus we'll all know it's your idea.

(Alternatively, you could look for a local hackerspace / makerspace if you wanted to try and prototype something as many of them will various have specialist kit.)
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Sorry guys, I was issued one in Saalbach, the DuNichtSprachSheiseZuIhr TM (kept telling the instructor to do one).
ski holidays
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
Good luck with it.

I've noticed a gap in the market for heated trousers - just the bum area. I've looked for years for something which would keep my derriere warm, and there's nothing!

You can get heated boots, socks and gloves, why not a heated bottom?

If anyone brings one to market, let me know - I'll be your first customer.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Perfect - the La Bumba TM. Got a whole product family in the pipeline.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
HoneyBunny have you tried http://www.keisapparel.co.uk/product/keis-x2-heated-trousers/ ?
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@HoneyBunny, they are called modern austrian lifts!
ski holidays
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@HoneyBunny, @DannySimpson,

Hang on, Fareham, Southampton, Hook..... Not some devious product placement going on here Puzzled

Could it be @marodo2712, that this is an example of how to actually take the initiative Twisted Evil
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Crowdfunding!
ski holidays
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@jbob, yes, please crowdfund/kickstart me but I can't tell you what it is.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@HoneyBunny, no no no. I hate heated car seats or anything warm around my bum. Nothing worse than a sweaty back bottom! Happy
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Not with you there @andyman 😶
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:

Could it be @marodo2712, that this is an example of how to actually take the initiative


Could it be that @marodo2712, is taking the initiative and this whole thread is just to pique our interest? In 6 months time he'll announce the product is all ready and will be in our hands for the start of new season. Little Angel
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
marodo2712 wrote:
Not with you there @andyman 😶


I'll give you a clue 2 posters who happen to have their location pretty close to the base for Keis Apparel.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:

I'll give you a clue 2 posters who happen to have their location pretty close to the base for Keis Apparel.



Damn it, caught!... I wish. No, just little old me with an idea.

I've been visualising the product and I've worked out how it should be made and what are the ideal materials, I'm now tempted to ditch my impending late-booking trip and use the cash to get a company to make a sample or two (NDAs in place of course). The problem is, and always will be, that it can't be protected so taking it to a big player is a non starter (unless I secretly video the meeting, but not sure how much that will matter in law), which leaves me seeking investment and producing the product myself then doing the whole merchandising, distribution etc.

Anyway, I'll probably go skiing, check out the shops, have a good think and make my decision after that (unless there are some loaded members who want to give me oodles of cash....) I shan't hold me breath Shocked
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@marodo2712, why record secretly? Just say at start of meeting, do you have any objections to me recording this? If they say yes, walk away?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:

why record secretly? Just say at start of meeting, do you have any objections to me recording this? If they say yes, walk away?

I'm not sure to what extent that that will offer any kind of legal protection.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Certainly more than a covert recording would be.

What I would do some research on os the Intellectual property rules are as that us what you are trying to protect?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
There is actually a whole gov't office assigned to helping people with this...
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office

How-to's on registering IP, copyright and designs, plus patents but thats a whole different kettle of fish...
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I've an new idea too. Having just got back from Colorado where it's legal to smoke certain substances I think I've stumbled on a certain winner as a new product. I reckon the gnarly yoof need a new set of poles, one keeps the ready made spliffs and issues them forth one at a time, the other pole has a lighter and ashtray in.
Of course, the gold plated Leki version could probably roll the offending articles for you!
Perfect, who'll front up the cash to help me develop!

Of course, part of development would have to be us going back to Vail to road (ski) test the prototype!

Of course, if I see these poles for sale next year I'll have this message to prove it was my idea and sue the lot of ya's!

Any takers? Laughing

Seriously, @marodo2712 honestly, go for it, whatever it is. Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Well bug*er me, it can be protected! As a design I'd have design rights.

If only a patent attorney had offered me some free advice....

....eep Confused
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@gixxerniknik, have to be honest a ski pole with an integrated ecig sounds like it would appeal to many and I'm not a smoker lol
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@gixxerniknik, you could probably retrofit a Camelpak into a water bong pretty easily. Added bonus - if you get avalanched, the smoke trail will help people find you....
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Richard_Sideways, Very Happy
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Richard_Sideways wrote:
@gixxerniknik, you could probably retrofit a Camelpak into a water bong pretty easily. Added bonus - if you get avalanched, the smoke trail will help people find you....


camelpak design but with a shisha built in?
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