Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Design Patent

He found a place to buy several newspapers and checked the related columns. After making a few calls, Martin confirmed that one of the law firms could provide professional services and headed there immediately.

The person who received Martin was Gary Hodgson, a patent lawyer who had started as a patent agent.

Hodgson first declared the fee standard for patent consultation.

Martin didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point, "I have a product for which I want to apply for a design patent, but its appearance, how should I put it?"

Hodgson briefly reminded, "It must be an industrial product with a novel, original, and decorative design."

Martin asked, "What about an appearance that already exists in reality?"

Hodgson inquired, "Did you bring the product or the drawings?"

Martin shook his head, pausing to think for a moment, "For example, the product's appearance is based on my brother as the prototype..."

Hodgson's mouth fell open as he stared in disbelief at this odd fellow, thinking to himself, are you joking? He reminded again, "Mr. Davis, we are discussing a very serious patent issue."

Martin said earnestly, "I'm quite serious!"

After some thought, Hodgson said, "It won't pass because it lacks originality, it's not novel enough..."

The more they talked, the less sense it made. Where did this oddity come from? Hodgson's professionalism helped him restrain the urge to curse, and he clenched and waved his fist, "Like this, widely prevalent in real life, items that people have reached a consensus on, their design patents won't get approved."

This differed from what Martin had envisioned.

Hodgson continued, "If you insist on pursuing this, it would just be a waste of time and money."

Martin understood the implications, "Does patent application take a lot of time and effort?"

Hodgson replied, "A design patent from submission to approval takes on average 19 months, and an invention patent takes about 24 months on average."

"Thank you, counselor," Martin took a business card from Hodgson, paid the consultation fee, and left the law office.

Back in his car, Martin gripped the steering wheel but didn't start the engine.

Differences between expectation and reality were normal.

Given this, he needed to make some adjustments based on reality.

Martin drove to Duluth, a satellite city of Atlanta, which hosted a cluster of import and export trading companies.

They dealt with imports and exports as well as accepted orders for small commodities.

Martin had originally considered the inexpensive products made in Yiwu, but after consulting several Chinese trading companies, he found that transportation alone would take a month. He ultimately chose a local trading company.

After visiting over a dozen companies in person, Martin shortlisted a few and took their contact information.

He then rushed to the ATL Freedom Association.

He had already arranged to meet with Kelly Gray, and upon arriving at the hall where the press conference was held last time, Martin spoke to the receptionist before heading up to the third floor.

The Freedom Association staff were coming and going, quite busy at work.

Martin entered the office where Kelly Gray was signing documents, "Give me a moment."

"Take your time," Martin sat on the sofa in the reception area and picked up a newspaper.

The Atlanta Freedom Newspaper, the most famous liberal media in Georgia.

The third page of the newspaper had a report that denigrated Milton, whom Martin had previously had his eye on, as being utterly worthless.

Martin found the reason for this in the same day's Constitution Newspaper. Milton had proclaimed that the Methodist Association actively conducted skills training to help women find jobs, and he lashed out at the Freedom Association for only talking big and not taking practical action.

After wrapping up with the documents, Kelly Gray came to the reception area and handed Martin a folder, "The paperwork is all set; starting this week, you're also a part-time social investigator for the Freedom Association."

She added emphatically, "With a salary of 200 US dollars a week."

"Thank you, Kelly. This will make things a bit easier for me," Martin knew what Kelly cared about and played it by ear, "I came today for another reason as well. We discussed it before—Milton from the Methodist Association is attacking us again. I'm prepared to launch a counterattack against him."

Manufacturing guns requires the realization that it comes with risks, especially since he had other ideas in mind.

Several directors of the Freedom Association had discussed Milton in depth, and Kelly was very concerned, "Let's hear it."

Martin said, "All I can think of are some stupid methods. Lately everyone in the club has been irritated. I convinced the boss to mobilize the club members to protest against the Methodist Association, targeting Milton."

He voluntarily handed the gun over to Kelly's hands, and of course, she grasped it firmly and, after a moment's thought, said, "That could work."

After several encounters, Martin had specifically learned about Kelly Gray and the state of the Freedom Association, "These days, I've been turning it over in my mind, and I've come up with a few more ideas, but I'm not sure if they are of any use."

Kelly Gray smiled, "Don't worry, I won't make fun of you."

"Alright, but no laughing," Martin said in a suitable manner and repeated his ideas.

At first, Kelly Gray found it amusing, similar to the low-level thugs playing dirty, but as she listened further, she got serious.

She stared intently at Martin, "What are you thinking? What do you want?"

Scratching his head, Martin seemed reluctant to speak and hesitated a moment before saying, "I'm afraid you'll laugh, but I'm tired of being poor, I want... I want to make money."

He made use of the surrounding social environment as much as possible, "The night before last, there was a severe shooting in Clayton Community; five people died. The crime scene is only 100 meters from where I live. When I was getting off work at night, I saw with my own eyes two dealers from the same community, riddled with buckshot."

Kelly nodded, "I saw the news, you be careful."

"I bought a rifle for self-defense, but it's not a long-term solution," Martin pursed his lips, paused, and sighed, "I'm still young, I don't want to die in a ditch, I want to move to a safer community."

Kelly Gray felt a bit of sympathy, but after considering it, she realized that what Martin was suggesting involved too many complications.

Now she was the one with concerns, "Martin, you've given me a tough problem."

The path Kelly Gray had chosen was actually a social ladder. Her family had allocated their limited resources entirely to her two brothers.

Now, the ATL Freedom Association had a vice-chairman position open, and she had her eyes on it.

Martin guessed her concerns and said in time, "You don't need to get involved in these low-end matters, Kelly. I'll take people to do it. If there's an issue, it's all on the House of Beast. If there's a public outcry, you just give it a little push. If not, you don't have to do anything."

Kelly Gray stood up, paced back and forth a few steps, and made up her mind, "Remember, don't cause any physical harm."

"We're all civil people in our club, like me and Old Cloth," Martin uttered a profound truth and ventured to ask, "Kelly, you know, we're all broke. The boss is rather stingy, mostly providing moral support."

Kelly went to her desk, took out a form, and handed it to Martin, "Fill this out. Public assemblies have to go through the application process. I'll have Ella assist you with the procedures. The Freedom Association has special funds for activities, so getting support won't be a problem."

Martin was even more motivated now, "The brothers won't have to go out to work part-time during the day; they can keep up continuous protests."

Kelly said, "Make it a big spectacle."

Martin had no trouble gathering people, "If we provide free food, I can bring in another hundred people."

Kelly nodded, "That's fine."

After filling out the form, Martin followed Ella to several offices. Through the channels of the Freedom Association, the permit for the assembly could be granted very quickly.

Martin had no time for lunch, so he simply invited Ella, and also called Andrew over. Searᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

During the meal, they talked about the film crew coming from Hollywood. Andrew and Benjamin were currently preparing; one of the film's production teams would soon come in advance to arrange everything for when the crew arrived in Atlanta.

The female producer from the LA Freedom Association was on her way.

Martin began to calculate the timing.

That afternoon, Martin phoned Bruce and Hart to each bring a car to pick up materials for the assembly from the Freedom Association.

The Freedom Association was no stranger to organizing assemblies, possessing a complete range of related items. Martin requested materials associated with the House of Beast, which they could also have custom-made through partners.

They would be ready in one day.

Martin went back to get the sample items ready first.