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I recently had an idea for a base modification. I know that if you were to go to china they could make the bitz up for pennies but they would probably need a significant lump sum and order? anyone have any other ideas how I could get them out. (The idea is of fairly limited appeal and wouldn't sell by the millions).

Also looked at registered design with I think is £60 here in the UK to protect the idea.

Then I should not ask what the idea is

Maybe a premagnetized base, or a triangle base, or maybe a slotta-base with a rubber band that will make sure anny and all models can be hold by it...

mmm, I am curious...

On topic: can you earn back the money you need to invest? if you can then go for it, otherwise share the idea. it is not going to benefit you anyways...

word of caution, a patent in the uk does not hold up if they copy the design and start selling it themselves. I would try not to let it be produced in china, but locally. If you think money can be earned why not start with a few batches of resin-casts first. cheaper startup (I think) for limited numbers. if interest grows you can look for a better producer...

Personally i'd love to say what it is, just need to decide if I'm going to do anything with it first.

It probably can earn back some cash, but by itself it would never be a full time job, I thought about resin but never used the stuff myself I may need to look into it. Does anyone know what standard bases are made out of so I could make a few calls to local producers of the plastic?

I'm not sure what you mean by a patent doesn't hold up. what other point is there if it doesn't do that? BTW was talking about a registered design as patents are a far amount more cash and i'm not sure it's even patantable.

I even have thought about "licencing" it to another company for a few quid as it would just be nice to see it done.

Most patents/design registrations are not international. You register that design in, say the UK only.

You have to pay extra for it to be "international", and even then there are many countries who do not enforce patent law, so will just take the idea if they want it anyway.

The problem with patents is that you have to essentially share all the details of your idea and its plans to the world. It may be better to get a written agreement from any company that you deal with that they will not use your designs without suitable reparations and/or permission.

If you do it yourself, you have higher startup costs, but total control over all aspects of the manufacture, shipping, etc, and there is a much smaller chance that your idea will be taken by someone else.

Though there is always that risk if it becomes popular.

The best idea would be to have a look at the patent website for more information as to what a patent will cover and how much it will cost etc. Ditto with any other alternatives as well.

yep i'm very familiar with the UK IPO, Much reading has been done. I know that nothing can cover you 100% but some protection is better than nothing right?

Give the costs to registering anything and the limited areas they cover i've come to the decision it's probably not going to be worth protecting it.

I think my next call is going to be to some plastic manufactures and prehaps a few calls to people who already make bases see if they would be interested.

I'm still after what standard bases are made out of? I know it's plastic but what kind?

The standard injection moulded bases are made of different plastics, dependant on manufacturor, resin casting isnt terribly expensive to set up and would make a good start point to test the market as it were, if you're idea works and you then look at producers, you will be able to talk to them about the different plastics.

hmm that suprises me about plastics, normally one is considered "best" and everyone jumps on the bandwaggon.

I have thought about resin but haven't done it before which is really putting me off, i'm much more tempted to look at partnering or tbh just giving my idea away than producing lower quality stuff.

SilverMK2 wrote:Most patents/design registrations are not international. You register that design in, say the UK only.

You have to pay extra for it to be "international", and even then there are many countries who do not enforce patent law, so will just take the idea if they want it anyway.

The problem with patents is that you have to essentially share all the details of your idea and its plans to the world. It may be better to get a written agreement from any company that you deal with that they will not use your designs without suitable reparations and/or permission.

If you do it yourself, you have higher startup costs, but total control over all aspects of the manufacture, shipping, etc, and there is a much smaller chance that your idea will be taken by someone else.

Though there is always that risk if it becomes popular.

The best idea would be to have a look at the patent website for more information as to what a patent will cover and how much it will cost etc. Ditto with any other alternatives as well.

I think its called a confidentiality agreement. All your secrets will remain in the confines of those that sign the agreement. Good luck!

NDA,
Non disclosure agreement.

I'm speading the idea in the hope that someone might pick it up, if you do, can I have a few of them (please). I need about 30 or so so there must be a need

Base converters which say turn a Terminator 25mm round base for say a game like space hulk to a 40mm base used in 40k.

The mecanics should be fairly simple but if someone is looking to do it and can't work it out please let me know.