I have a patent pending on an item I make. There is a sign above the display with the PP number on it.
It never fails a few times a year that after trying one on, a customer will say that she just wanted to see "how you make yours because I make the exact thing."
I ask her where she's from, does she have a website, what shows is she in? Subtle, huh?
I quietly ask her if she saw the sign over the display. Sometimes, the question is, "What does that mean?"
I explain that my lawyer exhaustively looked through all patents to see if one was filed about the making of this exact product. Anyone who breaks a patent will be subject to the strictures of patent law.
I did find a crafter trying to copy my design. A letter went out from my lawyer(which costs me!)
How do I know she ceased making them?
That's why they don't appear on my website.
Someone told me not to put my best jewelry designs out on the web either. Other artists stroll through and copy.
WELL, how am I suppose to sell off my website?
To what percent do I have to honestly worry about this unethical practice?
