[Performance Catapults]

The process has been put into motion to acquire a non-provisional, utility patent for the Performance Catapults brand, concept of slingshot construction and materials. This notice is merely a courtesy FYI, in case any craftsman or vendor is considering the sales of slingshots resembling a construction likeness to the Performance Catapults brand.

There is no obligation at this point for me to go into details regarding the patent, nor will I disclose any information until the application is published, as advised from my patent attorney.

Being a part of this community for a few years now, I felt giving this notice was appropriate in the best interest of the community.

- Jim

 

[M.J]

 

[newconvert]

The process has been put into motion to acquire a non-provisional, utility patent for the Performance Catapults brand, concept of slingshot construction. This notice is merely a courtesy FYI, in case any craftsman or vendor is considering the sales of slingshots resembling a construction likeness to the Performance Catapults brand.

There is no obligation at this point for me to go into details regarding the patent, nor will I disclose any information until the application is published, as advised from my patent attorney.

Being a part of this community for a few years now, I felt giving this notice was appropriate in the best interest of the community.

- Jim

always a good idea, you put thought into your work, it belongs to you.

 

[Jim Williams]

Congratulations Jim

 

[M.J]

To expand on this...
You guys have no idea how much thought and work Jim has put into his construction technique over the last couple of years. I was in contact with him through much of the devolopment of the SPS and every time we talked he was coming up with new ideas and refining details so it would be perfect when it was released.
Being the official "owner" of it is much deserved.

 

[Performance Catapults]

The Non Provisional Patent application is now published. It can be viewed at the following link - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2012/0279482.html. This is just the published application. What does this mean? In a nutshell, I now have provisional rights. It could be 6 months to a year before a decision is made, whether or not to grant a patent. Could be sooner, could be later. If a patent is granted, and I feel I have been infringed upon, I could seek royalties back to this date. Now, whether or not the product has to match the Performance Catapults brand product, I'm not sure. My attorney's contact info is available in the link, if anyone has any questions regarding the patent application, and whether or not it applies to anyones product.

 

[Northerner]

Great idea to patent the idea. It appears as though the patent application is for the idea of laminating a metallic core with two overlaying outer layers with pins locking everything into place.

Cheers,
Northerner

 

[f00by]

So 1 question is if I were to make a slingshot with a metal core and then sell it would that be infringement? Although bills sling that won this months ssotm has a metal core, if that we're made passed the date of the patent, would that infringe? I only ask because metal core slingshots are fairly common now I'm sure in part because of you

 

[bunnybuster]

Good deal JIm

Even though I don`t use metal, I know others who have pretty much duplicated your design.

 

[Performance Catapults]

So 1 question is if I were to make a slingshot with a metal core and then sell it would that be infringement? Although bills sling that won this months ssotm has a metal core, if that we're made passed the date of the patent, would that infringe? I only ask because metal core slingshots are fairly common now I'm sure in part because of you

If I feel that the design has been infringed upon, I would respond by requesting whom ever, to cease promoting and production. But, this thread is to aid with any confusion there might be. Personally, if it were me, I would not want to risk making someone elses designed product, and be selling it, without permission. Infringement is decided by a judge. If I were sued, I don't have the time to pack my bags and go to court in some other state. If you want to make metal core slingshots, PM me, and we can negotiate a deal that benefits us both.

Before I was making slingshots, I sold racing memorabilia with images of racing athletes on poker chips. I'm not a photographer, so I had to pay for the photos I used, even though alot of images can be easily lifted off the web. Furthermore, I had to negotiate a contract with the athlete to use his/her likeness on the product, and the royalty rate to be payed for each item sold.

The same applies here. Now, are replicated metal core slingshots similar enough to Performance Catapults brand? Who knows? But if it's close, and requests are ignored, do you want to risk it?

I haven't posted any of this to create enemies within the community. I took a financial risk with filing the patent application, and I'm only doing what I need to do, to protect my concept and idea

 

[Pro-Shot (UK) Catapults]

The Non Provisional Patent application is now published. It can be viewed at the following link - http://www.freepaten...12/0279482.html. This is just the published application. What does this mean? In a nutshell, I now have provisional rights. It could be 6 months to a year before a decision is made, whether or not to grant a patent. Could be sooner, could be later. If a patent is granted, and I feel I have been infringed upon, I could seek royalties back to this date. Now, whether or not the product has to match the Performance Catapults brand product, I'm not sure. My attorney's contact info is available in the link, if anyone has any questions regarding the patent application, and whether or not it applies to anyones product.

Hi Jim did you file this yourself or use a Patent attorney/solicitor also did you do the description on the claimes section
I see you used a free Patent aplication is this the way they are done in the US it a lot less complcated than the UK

spelt attorney incorrect so just put it right?LOL

 

[Performance Catapults]

Hi Jim did you file this yourself or use a Patent eterne/solicitor also did you do the description on the claimes section
I see you used a free Patent aplication is this the way they are done in the US it a lot less complcated than the UK

I hired an attorney. Figured it would most likely be the first and last time I did anything like this. Wanted to be sure it was done right.

 

[f00by]

I know buddy. I am not going to be perusing this as a product. I just wanted to clear some questions up that have always been in my head when it comes to patents. This seemed like a good opportunity

 

[Ben Travis]

Cause knife makers havent been doing this for years?