ever have an idea you wanted to patent ?

[flip]

You will have to have one to do a patent search with the patent office or else you will be in for a landslide of headaches and paperwork.  A couple hundred dollars for the search will save you months of paperwork research.  The rest of the patent filing is gravy.

[sawdust]

My patent attempt ends badly/sadly

When I first started down this patent trail I searched endlessly for things I might be infringing on. I could not find anything nor could the patent attourneys or the company we hired in the US that specifically does prepatent searches. Last week I found what amounts to our patent. 200 000 and most of five years and it is all in vain. The word from the pat lawyer yesterday is basically "yer done" My device has features that the preexisting one does not but is there any point in chasing small features when the main idea is shot?

I may be stupid or have something like an addiction, I have another idea and am considering that I should chase it. I have the most supportive spouse you could ever ask for.

I think if you can keep in mind that at any time your efforts may suddenly be for naught, it is an education and experience.

sawdust 

[beenthere]

sawdust
Sorry to hear that outcome. I believe it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Pretty disappointing, for sure. Apparently the keywords you were using for the search didn't match up with the keywords the other patent was providing, or was it something else?

I've been involved with a few patents, and none were pleasant experiences. Satisfying some patent attorney's and patent office questions seems never-ending.

But wish you better luck with your next idea. 

[rebocardo]

Or hold onto your idea until the existing patent expires.