I invented ans patented a hair loss tonic. What licences, approvals
and/or insurance do I need to start to market my product?

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Clarification of Question by mfkatz-ga on 14 Mar 2005 23:40 PST

I just submitted the patent, therefore there is no number asigned yet.
This a hair loss tonic based on natural ingridients. It would be
really helpful to know if any permits or licenses are needed to market
something like this.

Is it a all organic product? This will help determine your approcah on this.

mfkatz-ga,

As a new user, you may want to know how to tell GA researchers from
commenters.  Duly designated GA researchers are those whose names
appear in blue and underlined, and only they can fill in the "Answer"
box and collect the fee you offered.

Good luck with your idea--
Archae0pteryx
(not a researcher)

Also, what is the patent number?  It would be helpful if we knew what
made it "novel, useful and nonobvious," as the patent law says,
because these aspects certainly enhance/define its marketability. 
This will also help us determine if it is a formulation that is within
the ambit of FDA regulation.

You might also find this thread helpful.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=418347

That is why I asked the question.  Filing a patent application is very
different from having a patent.  Do you need permits or licenses? 
Maybe--I am sure a Researcher can help you with that.  But I would be
remiss if I did not remind you of the old joke among patent lawyers:
"Q: What does the phrase 'Patent Pending' mean?  A: Copy it quick." 
You realize that until your patent issues anyone will be able to copy
and sell your "patented" formulation with impunity, right?  Are you
really sure you want to sell it before your patent issues?  I think
you need to consider that fundamental question before you worry about
permits and licenses.  What about the name of the product?  Have you
filed trademark registration applications in all relevant
jurisdictions?  I ask these questions because I worry about a scenario
like this:  let's assume you call this stuff "Flaxene," because it
contains flax seed extract, your "secret ingredient."  You begin
marketing it, but your patent has not issued nor have you protected
the "Flaxene" name. As soon as your product hits the shelves, I can
buy a bottle, analyze it, and begin selling my own flax-seed based
formulation that is identical to yours.  I could even call it, e.g.,
"Flaxone."  You'd have a tough time stopping me--I could sell as much
of it as I wanted, and all I'd have to do is stop selling it the day
your patent issues, and I wouldn't owe you a penny in royalties.