Looking for a patent attorney

#chess

#patent

#software

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for an opportunity to Implement my invention as a variation of the classical game of chess.

By adding a few rules to the game, I believe this variation could make a revolutionary impact on the game flow, adding intrigue and unpredictability.

The rules of this variation are easy to understand and absorb but require continuous computation that will require the development and implementation of a chess game server. Therefore, the variation can exist only as an electronic version.

First, I am looking for a trusted attorney or a Law firm that would help me to protect my idea by patenting, both in US, and worldwide.

Second, I am looking for a software development company to implement the idea.

Third, I have very vague ideas how to commercialize the project

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thank you!

Utility patent or design patent? " the variation can exist only as an electronic version". That alone would be a utility patent......if you create something that is a working prototype. If your re-designing something that someone else has patented, the courts "may" grant you a design patent. A patent search alone can cost a couple of thousand dollars. Some attorneys, & firms specialize in patent litigation. Most of them work in Washington because that's where the patent office is, but you can look in the phone book.

Dear RonaldJosephCote

Yes, this would be a utility patent.

To prove uniqueness, I researched the Public USPTO database using the search pattern CHESS[ti] for patents that have the word Chess in the title. The search result brought in around a thousand patents, so I reviewed them all, one by one, and found no similarities.

Though I have worked in IT , I have no experience neither in game nor web development. No prototype at this moment.

It is a great idea to look through patent attorneys in DC area!

Thank you very much for your kind attention and advice!

It seems like you're serious. You're probably aware of the cost to apply for a patent and how long it will take to be granted. How do you intend to fund the development of this project?

CraigIreland, as I don’t have a prototype I plan to make a provisional patent first.

I guess, in a year since obtaining a provisional patent, I would be able to find a software company to implement my idea, and then make a non-provisional patent. According to my rough estimates, the whole process might take around 2-3 years, and cost somewhere between 15 to 40 thousand dollars. So far, I am talking about US patents. Again, these are initial and rough estimates

Even if you patented the game, someone could come along and do a variation of your variation. ("It's like softball, but you pitch overhand." All they got to do is just tweak it a bit.)

What I would do is find a chess club that credits its members. You introduce this variation to the club, it becomes the "new thing". You expand it nationally/globally and become famous, and you get your fortunes that way, like Ray Kroc.

long_quach wrote: AbominableChessmasta wrote:

Even if you patented the game, someone could come along and do a variation of your variation. ("It's like softball, but you pitch overhand." All they got to do is just tweak it a bit.)

What I would do is find a chess club that credits its members. You introduce this variation to the club, it becomes the "new thing". You expand it nationally/globally and become famous, and you get your fortunes that way, like Ray Kroc.

You can only make money on a product. A box in store.

You cannot make money on the rules.

I am not sure that is entirely true. You could make a software program with different rules, and then sell the software. Stockfish has already sued Chessbase for something much more "mundane" than rules. Computer engines don't have a bias towards pieces. They plug in the rules of the games and calculate them to precision accuracy. While the sequence of moves can't be copyrighted, similar to broadcasting moves after they are made in an event, the application applying those rules could be patented.

You can google the following (I can't paste addresses yet), "A software patent will cost anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 and possibly upwards of $10,000 in patent lawyer legal fees. According to the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the median cost for a software patent is $10,000 and include the filing fees for the patent application." - upcounselDOTcom

"You can only make money on a product. A box in store". He may not even have to do that. If he can get a strong patent,...then he can license it which gives someone else of his choosing permission to exploit it.

Every invention starts with an idea, and you don't need a prototype to get a patent.

I also think you might want to moderate your tone a little bit. The guy hasn't done anything wrong by posting here.

I was going to look more into this patenting idea thing, and this guy is saying you can't patent all computer programs, https://www.mathys-squire.com/insights-and-events/news/what-can-and-cant-be-patented/ .

If it is simply a basic program to type a language like notepad/wordpad I could see that. However, what about Microsoft Office? It's very hard to get another program to be compatible with Microsoft Access (database program). So, is it something where you can't patent, but you just make the file format impossible to recreate? Microsoft Access uses .accdb and I can't find an easy replacement to recreate these files other than Microsoft Access.

If you are looking for a patent attorney, the best place for it is a chess site. Everybody knows that.

Getting a patent is really expensive, so make sure you're very sure you want to pursue it first, that's all I'm saying.

Sapose he does create the software. I'm wondering if 2 other forms of protection might be the easiest & cheaper way to go...? Maybe it can be copyrighted, or trademarked. At least that would give him SOME protection.

I got it. This is what you do. Say you created an extra piece. Just create two more pieces that would make the game stupid to play. Then, secretly tell those around you to not use those two extra pieces. This way, people will only know to play the "original" variation if they remove two of the new (3) pieces.

You are so quick on judgement. Did you read carefully the initial post? Are you either professional developer or attorney? Anyway, feel free not to waste your time on nothing and concentrate on more important things in your life

AbominableChessmasta: Thank you for your concerns and suggestions

Is it proposal, or just a question? So far, I am not certain of right figures. It looks like the list of things I need to achieve is longer then I thought initially

Good question. If the idea was about design or shape of the board or pieces then maybe yes. However, implementing new rules requires either patenting it, or share it for free with the world. It could be other options, I guess. That's why I am looking for new opinions and suggestions