For budding eyewear designers- it’s hard to get a Patent according to CBS Evening News and Spekx Eyewear.
Entrepreneur Aldo DiBelardino started developing lightweight “Spekx” eyewear four years ago in an office above his garage in Virginia Beach, Va. He gave CBS News an exclusive sneak peek at his invention before they went on sale.
“They provide you goggle-like protection, but they provide you the style and convenience of sunglasses,” DeBelardino says.
DiBelardino is preparing to start selling them this summer. But the trouble is, he does not have a patent to protect his invention. He applied for one in April.
“Until I get a patent, I have a very limited ability to defend myself in the marketplace against copy activity,” he explained.
DiBelardino knows that from personal experience. His first commercial venture — the X-It Ladder — a compact fire escape ladder for the home was copied by Kidde, the biggest fire extinguisher maker in the United States. After DeBelardino refused to sell the company his idea, it produced a knockoff that ate into his market share. In 2002, DiBelardino sued Kidde for patent infringement and won a $17 million settlement, the bulk of which went to attorneys fees, and had to give up the exclusive rights to his invention.
Read the full Story here
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Mr. DiBelardino,
I now have 6 published patents on an eyewear concept best described as retractable eyewear retainers. With CAD and prototypes in hand, I am preparing to market the product and would like to compare notes with you.
Please call and lets get together if you still reside in Virginia Beach as do I.
Call John @ 757-496-9557