Just curious if anybody here knows the patent process to start up a line of, or a single manikin. So many manikins are simular on the market---how is this handled? I figure once I start sculpting my manikins I`m going to take pictures and document everything. I`m going to concentrate on bobcat manikins---yes there are alot on the market but I`ve got some ideas about what`s not on the market..I also believe the quality of manikins could be improved in areas. I`m going to focus mainly on unusual poses but try to bring out the best quality manikin on the market...I`m tired of straight bodies and forward looking poses. There aren`t enough lying down poses either..
Costs---how about costs to get a patent. My brother has a few in the motorcycle business and he gets his for about 3,000.00...I`m sure that costs varies alot from item to item...I know some of ya hold patents...if you could share some info I sure would appreciate it..my e-mail is listed above in case ya want to keep it private...Thanks
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You can only copyright it and that practice just became accepted in the last 20 years. A patent is a government writ certifying that an individual is the sole proprietor of an invention (most easly explained as a tool or machine for accomplishing other work). A copyright is simply a statement of proprietorship of a document OR a work of art. In this case, the courts have deemed mannikins to be construed as artistic pieces. Since America has an "implied copyright law", one can simply carve a small "C" and encircle it to claim such a copyright. This can later be validated by notary public dates, registration with the Library of Congress. or by obtaining an ISBN # for books and manuscripts from the Library of Congress.
That was what my brother and I were discussing. He said he thought it might be more of a copywrite situation. So as long as I document everything I should be good to go. The poses I have in mind really aren`t close to any manikins on the market so hopefully I won`t end up in any lawsuits...so much to learn---so little time...I figure this could be worth a shot anyhow...worst case scenerio I create something nobody likes..but at least I`ll have them for myself...lol..Thanks George I appreciate it..
Very few mannikins have patents on them.Occasionally some sculptors have patented a special feature.Example: McKenzie's Cast Lip System.Sculptures and other creations are covered by copyright law from the moment of creation,registered or not.This means no one can reproduce any part of your mannikin.Filing a copyright just makes it easy to prove when you created it in case someone does copy it.If you can come up with a way to establish when you created the piece that's all you need.You also need to know that historically it has cost way in the tens of thousands of dollars to pursue these cases.That being said,though there are a lot of bobcat forms on the market,there are very few really great ones.You know as well as anyone that good cat mounts don't fall together by accident and though a good form won't insure a good cat mount it sure goes a long way toward that end.I have always wanted to do the same thing but never seem to have the time.I keep threatening to do some mountain lions in poses that I do a lot.The problems you mention are ten fold with the lions.I say forget patents and put your money where you'll need it-making sculptures and molds.I look forward to seeing what you come up with.Ebay has a pretty good summary of copyright law.It's worth looking at.Good luck with it.
Same as in the garment industry. You need to trademark your design. Speak to a PTO attorney if you're serious about this.
I figure if I`m ever going to do it, now is the time. I just got called back to Boieng and have some extra cash and plan on cutting my Taxi work load down big time and get back to the basics of enjoying life again...doing my own thing for a while. Creating my own line of cat manikins has been on the back of my mind for quite a while and yes I agree with you---there are alot of manikins on the market but alot of them I only handle one time because of the work that goes into them isn`t worth the cash we pay for them. I`m tired of paying 65 bucks for a junk manikin.. These things are created by the so-called experts in the field of taxidermy and quite frankly a blind man could do better than some...so I believe the demand is there for good quality cat manikins with some uniqueness to them. I`m sure I`ll learn things the hard way as I always do...probably the expensive way too, but I won`t give up until I get it mastered...McKenzie`s has the best manikins on the market in my opinion but now that they are buying all these companies and their quality is really going down because of these manikins from other companies. I see McKenzie`s asking alot of artist to resculpt alot of their purchased manikin rights pretty soon...it`s just their style to be the best on the market. It`s time to step it up...:)
Since you guys were using my cast lip system as reference to make yours did you happen to throw my name on that patent too?...didn`t think so.
I agree McKenzie forms are what I use and don't care much for the others I have used.Glad to see you are wanting to produce a better product.Good luck to you.
thats the hard part. at the world show the best thing i did was hang with John Schmidt my head still herts, he sure knows cats. Travis your comp cat loooooks mint from what i can see. nice eye work! kicken a You have to go masters (you are)
Going masters this year...should be interesting...I really took some chances with the expressions on the female`s face...he`ll either like it---or hate it...lol...My wife loves it so I come out a winner either way...:)...of course there are areas I`m not totally happy with---he`ll give me some hits no doubt...Kranau seems like a well accomplished taxidermist and judge. I hope I get the chance to talk cats with him...Wildlife--brother you need to get you a line of manikins going...especially your relaxing poses..I think the market needs a boost...
Thanks everybody for your replies and e-mails. I appreciate you`re time...
already in the works and i think that i will sell for more then 65 more like 95 i don't care how many i sell. but they will be unusual poses.not the same old same old.
I knew that last time we spoke you had been talking about it..looking forward to seeing what ya come out with. I`m sure they`ll be excellent..You`ve built your reputation on quality and your work speaks for itself...your forms will sell like hotcakes. I don`t know of too many people who have mounted as many cats as you and I have in the last several years---we know the pains of working with commercial cat manikins and what can be improved...poses also...Man I compete with ya on Ebay now I got to do it on this manikin thing...lol...comp brings out better quality so it`s a good thing...who knows maybe we`ll change the bobcat world as we know it...then again maybe not. he he he...best wishes
One thing you need to remember is that mannikins are simply a base for a mount to begin from. I believe that while there are some really crappy mannikins, most are simply not exactly what you need since every animal is different. Supply companies and artists have to make a generic form that will basically fit most animals. I believe it is up to the taxidermist to make it fit THEIR specimen.
Now, artists sculpt their forms giving them the look they like. Doesn't mean that is the look you will like. That is why I have tried so many different forms so that eventually I will find one that the artist and I agree on. For example, you guys mention McKenzie, but I have not found a mulie form of theirs that I like the look of. They just don't look like my impression of the thousands of mulies I have seen in my life.
Good luck with your sculpting.