Paul - answer to of list eMail as well

> I know this much, in fact I know an IP lawyer, goes to my church,
> nice fellow, and yes he will review everything when it's done, even
> at $300/hr, it's fairly cheap insurance.

In the UK things are not quite so bad, and I guess that it being a 'smaller
world', you get known and so in the areas I work in, the end customers also
know that it is L.S.Caine Electronic services that provide the expertise, and
would probably question if they saw this change.

> I guess it is something to consider, unfortunately you may have to
> pay the lawyer, and watch the deal de-rail after the fact.

I have patents in place which cost those customers lots of money - American
and Japanies companies have copied them - the only thing we can do is sue
them. Starting price £1M. We are not in that league, so now we just lodge all
ideas in a secure dated location, and if they try and sue us or over patent
we can claim prior art. There is just not enough time to waste dreaming on
what could have been. The big boys are a law unto themselves, so ( in the UK
) the small boys must just look after themselves.

Off list you asked how I get leads. It's all word of mouth, but I started by
working for the big boys - I did an apprentiship with EMI Electronics. There
were areas that the did not want to get involved - too small - so I just
started to do those jobs with the companies blessing, and my business grew
from there. I am off out now to look at a system I installed in 1992 and was
last 'maintained' in 1993, 24/7 ever since, it will have to be replaced some
time in the next few years, and it's likely I will get the job.

--
Lester Caine
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L.S.Caine Electronic Services