I have found a product that is used to maintain buildings and at the
same time can be used to keep ants out. It has worked for 4 years for
me. My question is how can you establish any rights to a use of a
product not specifically designed for this use but if used properly
does indeed perform?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 08 Jan 2005 17:12 PST

If the product is a commodity material that you can buy in bulk and
repackage, then you can market it yourself as Antz-B-Gone (or
whatever) and you don't have to reveal the ingredients to anyone.

Does that fit your situation?


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by maluca-ga on 08 Jan 2005 18:48 PST

The product could be bought in bulk. However this solution would need
to be applied by a person trained to do so. Repackaging the product
would serve the purpose of looking more branded as a company but at
this point it would not be a large benefit.

Really the answer I need is to the question of developing a system.
The system is currently not on the market. So while using others
products in combination with my way of applying it to achieve a result
can I name the system and protect myself in anyway from others doing
the same.

If you don't get an expert answer...

I believe there are things called plant patents, process patents, or
business process patents.  I think they usually refer to manufacturing
processes, but maybe a process patent can apply to how the final
product is used.

You should look into filing a utility patent in which you can claim
the method of using the substance.  The US patent office www.uspto.gov
has a lot of good information for inventors.  If serious, you should
probably consult with a patent attorney.