Chapter 38: Design Patent

Martin bought a few newspapers from a place and checked the relevant information columns. He made some phone calls and determined that one of the law firms could provide professional services, so he went there immediately.

Gary Hodgeson, a patent attorney who started as a patent agent, received Martin.

Hodgeson first stated the fee standards for patent consultation.

Martin did not beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "I have a product that I want to apply for a design patent for, but how do I describe its appearance?"

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

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

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

Martin shook his head and contemplated briefly: "Just as an example, the product's appearance is modeled after my brother..."

Hodgeson's mouth slightly opened, dumbstruck while looking at this oddball, thinking to himself, are you kidding me? He reminded him again, "Mr. Davis, we are discussing very serious patent matters."

Martin earnestly responded, "I am very serious!"

Hodgeson thought for a moment and said, "It's impossible to pass because it lacks originality and is not novel..."

The conversation was becoming more off-track. Where did this weirdo come from? Hodgeson's professional demeanor kept him from swearing. He clenched his fist and shook it, saying, "Just like this, items that commonly exist in real life, which people have formed a consensus on, cannot get design patents."

This was different from what Martin had envisioned.

Hodgeson continued, "If you insist on doing it, you'll just be wasting time and money."

Martin understood the underlying message: "The patent application process is time-consuming?"

Hodgeson said, "On average, design patents take 19 months from application submission to approval, while invention patents take about 24 months."

"Thank you, attorney." Martin took Hodgeson's business card, paid the consultation fee, and left the firm.

Returning to his car, Martin held the steering wheel but didn't start the engine.

It's normal for expectations to differ from reality.

In light of this, he needed to make some adjustments based on reality.

Martin drove to Duluth, a satellite city of Atlanta, where clusters of import and export trade companies were located.

These companies engaged in both import/export and also accepted customized small commodity orders.

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

He then hurried to the ATL Liberty Association.

Having already scheduled a meeting with Kelly Gray, they met in the hall where the previous press conference was held. Martin informed the receptionist and went up to the third floor.

The Liberty Association personnel were bustling with activity.

Entering the office, Kelly Gray was signing documents: "Please wait a moment."

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

The Atlanta Liberty Gazette, the most famous liberal media in Georgia.

An article on the third page mentioned Milton, whom Martin had previously been concerned with, disparaging him.

Martin found the cause in the same day's Constitutional Journal; Milton claimed that the Methodist Association actively conducted skills training to help women get jobs and angrily denounced the Liberty Association for just paying lip service and doing nothing substantial.

After finishing her documents, Kelly Gray came to the guest area and handed a document envelope to Martin: "The paperwork is complete. From this week onward, you will also serve as a social investigator for the Liberty Association."

She emphasized, "There's a salary, $200 a week."

"Thank you, Kelly. This will help ease my financial situation a bit." Martin knew what concerned Kelly, so he offered information: "I also came today to discuss something else. Remember what we talked about last time, Milton from the Methodist Association is attacking us again. I plan to retaliate against him."

Anyone who wields a weapon must have the courage to wield it, especially when there are ulterior motives involved.

The directors of the Liberty Association discussed Milton extensively; Kelly was very concerned: "Tell me more."

Martin said, "The ideas I came up with are rather crude. The entire club is really upset lately, so I convinced the boss to mobilize club members to protest against the Methodist Association, targeting Milton."

He proactively handed Kelly a loaded weapon, which she naturally seized firmly. After a brief consideration, she nodded, "It's doable."

Having had several interactions, Martin had specifically researched Kelly Gray and the Liberty Association's situation: "I've pondered on this thoroughly these past few days and came up with a few more ideas, but I'm not sure if they'll work."

Kelly Gray laughed, "Don't worry, I won't laugh at you."

"Promise you won't laugh first." Martin, in a measured way, explained his ideas.

At first, Kelly Gray found it laughable, akin to street tricks by lowlifes, but then she grew serious.

She stared intently at Martin, "What's your endgame? What do you want?"

Martin scratched his head, appearing reluctant to speak. After a minute's hesitation, he said, "Don't make fun of me; I'm scared of being poor. I... I want to make some money."

Utilizing nearby social situations, he added, "The night before last, there was a severe shooting in the Clayton community, killing five people. The crime scene was only about 100 meters from my place. When I got off work, I saw two local drug dealers shot to death with a shotgun."

Kelly nodded, "I saw the news. Be careful."

"I bought a long gun for self-defense, but that's not a real solution." Martin pressed his lips together, pausing briefly before sighing, "I'm still young; I don't want to die in a gutter. I'd like to move to a safer neighborhood."

Kelly Gray showed some sympathy but realized the implications of what Martin was suggesting.

Concern now lay with her: "Martin, you've given me quite the dilemma."

The path Kelly Gray chose was, in fact, a societal ladder; her family had limited resources, all invested in her two brothers.

A vice-chairman position opened up at the ATL Liberty Association, which she had her sights on.

Martin guessed her concerns and aptly said, "You don't need to get involved in these low-level matters, Kelly. I'll handle it with my team. If anything goes wrong, it's the Beast House's responsibility. If public opinion turns against us, a light push from you is all we'll need. If it doesn't, nothing needs to be done."

Kelly Gray stood and paced a few steps before finally deciding: "Remember, no physical harm."

"Our club is composed of civilized people, like me and old Bruce." Martin stated a fact and then tentatively asked, "Kelly, you know we're all broke. Our boss is pretty stingy, mostly providing moral support."

Kelly retrieved a form from her desk and gave it to Martin: "Fill this out. Public assembly requires an application process. I'll have Ella help you with the paperwork. The Liberty Association has special activity funds, so getting support won't be an issue."

Martin's enthusiasm grew: "The guys won't need to take side gigs, allowing us to protest continuously."

Kelly added, "Make a big splash."

Martin had no worry about gathering people: "If we provide free food, I can get another hundred people."

Kelly nodded, "Alright."

After filling out the form, Martin followed Ella through a few offices. Thanks to the Liberty Association's channels, the assembly permit could be approved quickly.

At noon, Kelly was busy, so Martin invited Ella to lunch and called for Andrew as well.

During their meal, they discussed a Hollywood crew coming to town. Andrew and Benjamin were currently preparing for it, and a production team would arrive soon to organize the crew's arrival in Atlanta.

That female producer from the LA Liberty Association would arrive soon.

Martin calculated the time.

In the afternoon, he called Bruce and Hart to each drive a vehicle to collect materials for the protest from the Liberty Association.

The Liberty Association had extensive experience with protests, so they had all relevant supplies. Martin requested custom materials related to the Beast House, and they could find partners to specially manufacture them.

It would only take a day.

Martin returned to work on product samples first.

*****

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