If I have an invention, can I produce and market it without going through the cost & hassle of patenting it?

Question

I have had a prior art search done and while similar ideas have been patented, none are close enough that infringement is an issue. I have a provisional patent on this idea, which expires in a few months, but would rather avoid incurring the costs of a full utility patent.

Answer 1

You can, buy why? Spend all that money just to have someone else do it faster and go through the hassle of the patent, and now you can't do anything with the product? Seems like not such a smart idea to me...

Answer 2

Considering that you probably went to a lot of trouble to invent
your product, you should definately go to the trouble of
seeking out a patent. There's no way around it. For you to own
your product, this is the accepted process .... it protects you
from someone else scooping your idea and negates any
further attempts from similar clever minds to receive the credit.
How would you feel if you saw your idea with someone else's
name on it.? Jump on it. This is not worth ignoring. You could
actually be sued if you used your unpatented idea and there
was someone who's patented idea precluded yours.

Answer 3

Patent it...absolutely! Several great ideas have gone unrewarded by the fact that someone else took the idea and ran with it.