Do you need to make a Prototype?

There are many different opinions as to the value of prototypes when developing an invention and seeking a patent.

There seems to be a division among professionals as to what it could be used for and what value it provides.

The best example I can give for the prototype is to look at clothing designers and see what they do after they draw and style their designs. Generally they will immediately take the design drafts and make a sample of a garment they wish to produce to gain feedback and interest from the various buyers at a catwalk presentation.

Without the working sample, to assess the hang, shape and colour of the design, they would be stuck in competing with these items with a drawing and this would not make much of an impression.

Architects also have for many decades, produced prototype design models of their proposed constructions in order to get good faith reviews from investors, developers, contractors and their government approvals etc.

All inventors should know also be informed that you do not need a prototype to file for patent applications and quality prototypes can be costly if you hire an engineer or engage with a prototype or toolmaker to make the prototype..

Many inventors quite mistakenly believe they need a working model or prototype prior to filing for a patent and spend large amounts of valuable resources trying to build a prototype before doing other valuable research of the market and testing the opportunity to gain some protection.

Prototypes, by their very nature can be extremely useful in gaining interest from investors or supporters and when determining whether your invention will work properly under various circumstances and may also be valuable in determining what modifications may have to make prior to filing an application for the patent application.

The decision as to why and when tho have a prototype is something for an inventor to make alone.

If you plan to simply license or sell your "patent rights" to your invention, then there is no need to build an expensive prototype as in many cases this will be done by the licensee unless you need to determine beforehand if your invention will work properly.

Obviously if you are going to manufacture products under your patent rights you will need to design a working prototype prior to manufacturing and tooling up for making the product.