What happens if a patent exists but I still want to manufacture the product?

Question

I want to manufacture an item, the item already exists, mine will be a tiny bit different however the main part of the item is the patented bit which will remain unchanged.

What do I have to do to not infringe the patent? Can I still make it by paying a fee or something? How do I find out how much the fee is and who to pay it to? How long do patents last as this was quite a while ago?
thanks

Answer 1

Contact the Rights Owner - they may have been subbed out - if it is 'old' what was the date, and where was the patent granted? You need to see someone who specialises in this field rather than hope that a bunch of egotistical loud mouths here will know that!

If you want to 'modify' the item, contact a patent lawyer - it is going to cost you money - but if you just go ahead without doing the right thing, the lawsuit may cost you much more. You may find that you actually have grounds for a new patent that does not infringe the original!

Answer 2

Consult a patent attorney.

In general, you need the owner of the patent right to sell you the right to manufacture it. No matter what your improvement is, if the original invention is used, or partly used, in your product, without agreement with the patent owner, you run the legal risk of patent infringement.

Normally, a patent is valid for 20 years, starting from the date while the patent was filed.

Answer 3

You must contact the patent holder and work out a licensing agreement (or an outright purchase) to use his patent. If you can't come to an agreement, you can't produce the item.

Answer 4

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