Starting your own brand/label/product line

[Juicyas]

Have many of you done this?

I recently started my own line of clothing when I saw a gap in the market. At first it started kind of slow but I sold about 30 of them in the last week with a profit margin of about $14US each .. it's almost enough to live on so I'm quite excited with how it's going.

I'm contemplating getting a patent/copyright .. any advice?

I get them made in China so they could be easily duplicated.

[NO ID]

Definitely, go for it. Own the rights to your product!

[philly387]

I would definitely get a patent/copyright right away. Probably should have done that before you started even selling the product.

[Juicyas]

Yeah but isn't it kind of expensive to go through that whole process?

[philly387]

I don't believe so...do a little bit of research on google and you should find something.

[SevnSins]

Originally Posted by Juicyas

Yeah but isn't it kind of expensive to go through that whole process?

There are some up-front costs, but the long term payoff is worth it. In addition; since you are getting them made in China, you need to get some documentation from the factory stating that they won't start selling them to others behind your back. There are tons of people that will make them for you at a good price, but only a few that will only make them for you.

I have had some things made, and found them for sale elsewhere a few months later.

You want your name on the product, so you can start suing if someone steals your idea. That's the whole reason behind eBay's VERO program.

[Juicyas]

Thanks for your advice!

[philly387]

Ok, apparently it is a little pricey... check out this site

Getting a Patent on Your Own

[SevnSins]

There are cheaper ways than that, but it's not cheap.

[TapTapper]

Wouldn't a trademark apply rather than a copyright? Anyway, there's a talk show on NPR once a month with a trademarks & patent lawyer that takes calls from listeners. If I can find the link to the show I'll post it.

[TapTapper]

Can't find it! Searching for a "trademark lawyer call-in show" is a black hole

Anyway, you can email WAMC.org. That's the station that plays the show. They are very helpful, I've emailed them about obscure stuff I've heard on the air and they always dig up an answer. Ask them when the trademark / patent lawyer call in show is on. It's a regular feature on one of the afternoon magazine shows like VOX Pop or something. You can stream it and call in your question, get some free advice.