Week 18:Invention, Intellectual Property, and Income
Individual Assigment
This week, I researched the forms of intellectual property in my country that could fit with my project, among which I found 2 types of patents: invention patents and utility model patents, as well as a license for open-source projects: Creative Commons. Below, I will mention the requirements for each one and, finally, my final decision.
A patent is an exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor or patent holder to protect an invention. Essentially, it is a set of exclusive rights granted to the patent holder, allowing them to exclude others from making, using, selling, or importing the protected invention without their consent. Here is a guide prepared by INDECOPI about patents in Peru.
Patent of invention
Invention patents protect products or processes for 20 years, provided that they meet three requirements:
Novelty: It implies that the invention has not been disclosed or made accessible to the public in any form (Andean Decision 486 establishes a grace period of one year, from the moment of disclosure, for initiating the patent application process). The novelty requirement must be fulfilled worldwide.
Inventive step: It means that, for a person with average technical knowledge in the relevant field, the invention must not be derived or obvious from existing technologies. In other words, it should not be an obvious or evident invention.
Industrial applicability: It means that the invention seeking protection can be produced or used in a particular industry.
The total cost of an invention patent is $393, and the process takes approximately 4 years to complete.
Patent of Utility
Utility model patents protect only products for 10 years, provided that they meet two requirements:
Novelty: It means that the invention has not been disclosed or made accessible to the public in any form (Andean Decision 486 establishes a grace period of one year, from the moment of disclosure, for initiating the patent application process). The novelty requirement must be fulfilled worldwide.
Technical advantage: It means that any new form, configuration, or arrangement of elements of an artifact, tool, instrument, mechanism, or other object, or any part thereof, allows for improved or different functioning, use, or manufacturing of the object incorporating it or provides it with some utility,
advantage, or technical effect that it did not have before.
The cost of a utility model patent is $168, and the process typically takes around 2.5 years to complete.
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that provides flexible legal licenses for creative works.
These licenses allow creators to grant clear permissions on how others can use their works,
whether it's for sharing, modifying, distributing, or even commercial purposes. Creative
Commons promotes openness and the exchange of knowledge and culture by offering a legal
and practical framework that balances copyright protection with the need for access and
collaboration.
The invention patent is not applicable because my project does not meet the requirements. The utility model patent could be suitable; however, further study is needed to determine its feasibility.
I am open to others using my work and would actually be delighted if my project serves as inspiration for someone to create something similar. So I have decided to register my project under a Creative Commons license, embracing the idea of sharing and encouraging others to build upon my ideas.
To begin, I selected the option displayed in the image below on the homepage. By clicking in “share your work”, you will be directed to a straightforward form that is easy to follow.
The next page will show the process of registration of your license, just click “get started”.
The image provided above illustrates two questions, the answers to which essentially grant you the license. The initial question pertains to granting permission for others to share adaptations of your work, while the second question involves allowing commercial usage of your project.
On the right we can see the chosen license “Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)”.
The “Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)” involves the following statements:
and the terms :
Finally you just need to fill in the requested information necessary for granting the license. The questions are straightforward, requesting the title of the work, the author's name, and the URLs for both the project and author's web pages.
Dissemination Plan:
Target Audience: The project is primarily aimed at educational institutions, specifically schools and universities that offer technical or science-related classes. The autonomous robot's purpose of transporting components and tools from the laboratory to the classroom aligns with the needs of educators and students in these settings.
Funding: The project is currently self-funded, utilizing personal resources and investments. However, additional funding avenues can be explored, such as grants for educational initiatives, partnerships with educational technology companies, or crowdfunding campaigns specifically targeting the education sector.
Intellectual Property Protection: To protect the intellectual property of the project, a chosen approach is to apply for appropriate patents or utility models, considering the unique aspects of the robot's design and functionalities. In addition, a carefully crafted licensing strategy can be implemented, allowing for the open-source sharing of the project's software, while maintaining proprietary rights for the hardware components or specific algorithms.
Business Plan: Developing a comprehensive business plan is crucial for long-term sustainability and scalability. The plan should outline key aspects such as market analysis, target customers, revenue streams (e.g., selling robots, maintenance services, licensing agreements), and operational costs. It should also identify potential strategic partnerships with educational institutions or robotics companies to leverage their networks and expertise.
Scaling Up: Scaling up the project would require additional funding to support production, marketing, and distribution efforts. Funding sources could include venture capital investments, government grants, or collaboration with established educational technology companies. Exploring strategic partnerships with manufacturers or distributors can also help streamline the scaling process.
Dissemination Strategy: The dissemination strategy should focus on reaching the target audience through various channels. This can include direct engagement with educational institutions through presentations and demonstrations, participating in relevant education technology conferences or trade shows, leveraging online platforms and social media to showcase the robot's capabilities, and collaborating with educational influencers or media outlets to generate buzz and awareness.
Social media:
Create a website with project documentation, including videos and images. I could use my current fabAcademy page, but ideally, I would create a new one focused on my project.
Use social media platforms such as Instagram or Twitter to share images, brief descriptions of my project, and share the link to my website.
Schedule a demonstration of my robot at the university to showcase how it works. Invite interested students, professors, and personnel who are interested in technology and robotics.
Future options:
Continuous improvement of the robot: Identifying areas for improvement in the design, functionality, and performance of the robot is crucial to stay updated and competitive in the market. Conducting tests, gathering feedback from users and education experts, and collaborating with engineers and designers to implement enhancements and new features.
Expand product range: Consider the possibility of developing variants or additional models of the robot to meet the specific needs of different educational environments. For example, creating specialized versions for science laboratories, robotics workshops, or programming classes.
