After sharing an idea with many mfg's and individuals, it is being manufactured, what should I do?

Next time, file a patent first. Too late now.

I’m happy it’s being made. I think it will/has transformed that industry. It is the inverted umbrella design that closes opposite traditional. Maybe someone else designed it first?

Google has a great patent search tool. Here’s a really similar design that was filed for in 2007. They have “prior art” searches there as well. If you find a direct connection, maybe there’s something there.

The ideas are so often such a small part of making anything though, someone probably went through thousands of hours to make a reversible umbrella that works reliably. It’s a lot of work with possibly nothing to show for it at the end.

Maybe the experience is most valuable now as fuel for the next idea?

@funkdaddy I think this predates my idea by one year, thanks!

It is at least good to see one of my ideas see real use. It inspires me. Maybe some of the others need to be developed.

The opposite umbrella has been around. It’s a good idea, you just weren’t the first.

I know a really good patent lawyer if you are truly serious.

Do you have a piece of mail where in or where on is the date the item was processed through the post office? This could establish that it was your idea before someone else’s idea or patent date.

@cazzie I would be hard pressed to afford a fancy patent lawyer at the moment, but if you want to share the reference I’ll keep them in mind in case I get VC.