Q: Question about infringing on patents
https://patents.justia.com/assignee/future-motion-inc
I'm looking to build my own self-stabilizing skateboard (one wheel). Do I infringe on future motion's patents by doing so? I'm gonna develop the technology myself, although the premises will be similar to those of the patents.
I fear that the technology I develop will be too similar to many of these. For example #20200216128. Any such vehicle would require stabilization both for-aft and laterally. Would me doing the same thing (although, perhaps, in a different way?) be ground for them to sue me for infringing on their patents?
Where this does not make sense to me is that this exact same stabilization system is used in, for example, drones. Wouldn't Future Motions infringe on a drone stabilization patent?
I'd also like to note that the final product will look significantly different, although it will have much of the same functions (as well as new ones) and still be a skateboard with one big wheel in the middle.
A:
I am pleased that you care about avoiding the patent rights of others. However, the short answer is that there is no way to give you a useful answer in this forum. This question requires that someone with the right skills look in great detail at what has been claimed and what you propose to do.
There may be other patents of relevance too. There might even be applications in the pipeline that will be relevant if they issue with broad claims.
You need to find someone with skills and a personality that allows you to work with this person like an external team member. This is not a toss the request over the transom sort of project.
If you found this answer helpful, you may want to look at my answers to other questions about patent law are available at the bottom of my profile page at
https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/kevin-e-flynn-880338
Kevin E Flynn
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