Barrel Harmonics Redefined- need input

[RemingtonAI]

Hey guys,
I am trying to figure out what the best way to go about introducing a theory that I have regarding barrel harmonics. Don't worry, I am consulting many sources but I know there is a wealth of knowledge here so wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I have the theory but now need to move to the next step. I don't know how this information should be protected if at all. I would appreciate any recommendations while I am in this process. The only thing I can say about the subject is that it is different, and I believe it can be proven.
I am not interested in trying to quantitatively prove it, as that would be a time consuming task but I do wish to provide the founding principals as well as a basic guide to how it can be proven. Any opinions will be appreciated. Jesse

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Hey guys,
I am trying to figure out what the best way to go about introducing a theory that I have regarding barrel harmonics. Don't worry, I am consulting many sources but I know there is a wealth of knowledge here so wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I have the theory but now need to move to the next step. I don't know how this information should be protected if at all. I would appreciate any recommendations while I am in this process. The only thing I can say about the subject is that it is different, and I believe it can be proven.
I am not interested in trying to quantitatively prove it, as that would be a time consuming task but I do wish to provide the founding principals as well as a basic guide to how it can be proven. Any opinions will be appreciated. Jesse

Jesse...is there a question in there somewhere, or anything to help us understand what you're looking to do?--Mike Ezell

 

[RemingtonAI]

Sorry, after rereading what I wrote I didn't see one either. My question is, does anyone know what the correct steps one should take if they had a theory? If I didn't know better I would just make a post of it. However, should it be of any significance I would probably have wished I had taken some kind of precautionary measures as far as protecting the originality of it. That's what I am looking into now. what steps if any I should take before putting it out there for open discussion. Jesse

 

[Shynloco]

Your comments haven't provided enough information other than you have a "theory" related to something to do with barrel harmonics. I'm certainly no expert (although my father held a number of patents), but if you are talking about something like "Intellectual property" or a "Patent", in order to do that, you must convert your theory into something tangible/physical. Just a thought, whim or idea doesn't qualify until you APPLY that theory (i.e written music; a painting; a computer program; a barrel tuner) etc. Check out "Patents" and "Intellectual Property" in a Search Engine. I might also suggest you conduct searches to see if your "theory" is something that has already been tested OR applied in a test that proves your theory one way or another. In short, don't try to re-invent the wheel where others have or have not succeeded.

Alex

 

[RemingtonAI]

Thanks for the info Alex. I don't plan on making any kind of tuner or anything so my finding wouldn't be tangible. The reinventing the wheel thing had me worried as almost anything you figure out, even if done single handedly, has already been done or thought of by someone at some time. I think I'm good there, but I may find something similar. never know. I'll check out intellectual property . Thanks, Jesse

 

[Outrider27]

Another approach, in addition to what Shynolco suggested, is to write your theory and recommendations for verifying it as a technical paper (doesn't have to be long) and copyright it. That is one way to establish a date of origin of your work, which can be important in disputes involving intellectual property.

Obtaining a copyright is not too difficult - the process is laid out here: http://www.copyright.gov/

 

[ab_bentley]

Another approach, in addition to what Shynolco suggested, is to write your theory and recommendations for verifying it as a technical paper (doesn't have to be long) and copyright it. That is one way to establish a date of origin of your work, which can be important in disputes involving intellectual property.

Obtaining a copyright is not too difficult - the process is laid out here: http://www.copyright.gov/

Or write it down on paper, and mail it to yourself. The federal postage acts as a federal protection and will stand alone in court as long as the document isn't opened.

Adam

 

[RemingtonAI]

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like I am going to register it as a technical/ research paper with copyright. Might as well. Now for the 8 month wait. Jesse

 

[Sniper338]

If you go that far you may as well try to formaly test and proove it

 

[Mozella]

[/QUOTE]Or write it down on paper, and mail it to yourself. The federal postage acts as a federal protection and will stand alone in court as long as the document isn't opened.

Adam[/QUOTE]

Most people have heard of this myth, including the copyright office. They say:
“The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a ‘poor man’s copyright.’ There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.”

Realize that everything you write down is automatically copyrighted; that is the law of the land. Without registration, if there is a dispute you will have to prove that you have been harmed and that often isn't easy. Plus all you can usually recover is damages.

However, if you register the document, artwork, music, or what-have-you then the burden of proof is shifted and you can much more easily collect damages plus get a generous punitive settlement. Registration is easy and inexpensive and it really is VERY powerful. This is all explained on the copyright office web site.

But before you get all excited, realize this: "Section 102(b) of the Copyright Act specifically states: “In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated or embodied in ..."

So if you write a paper about barrel harmonics, I can't steal the words and publish them in my magazine or book without breaking the law. But I am free to publish your idea if I write it down in my own words.

In short, copyrights protect expression and patents protects inventions, and neither protect ideas.

 

[22BRGUY]

Neat thread and comments.

 

[powderbrake]

Generally , the next step after a theory is a prototype to test the theory.

 

[RemingtonAI]

It really doesn't equate to a specific product. If it did it would be a barrel tuner. It is actually the fundamental physics behind the subject of accuracy and can be applied to a countless number of devices or products. So, not the song, but the musical scale in which to base any song from. Jesse

 

[ED3]

It really doesn't equate to a specific product. If it did it would be a barrel tuner. It is actually the fundamental physics behind the subject of accuracy and can be applied to a countless number of devices or products. So, not the song, but the musical scale in which to base any song from. Jesse

What is it that you wish to protect/ secure?
credit? ...fame? ...possible financial gains?

 

[RemingtonAI]

Ed3, good question. None of the above really. I don't believe there would be financial gains of any kind. If I did I would be naïve, as even well known major scientific discoveries didn't always lead to monetary gains, and didn't a lot of the times. Fame is out because no one really cares who thinks of stuff, and again I'm not making anything shiny. Credit...ha, in this world who gets that really? So really I'm just trying to go through the proper channels, even for something simple like this because if I don't and it does happen to be of any value , I will have wanted to have introduced it the smart way. Turns out there's no way to "protect" an idea so I'm just registering it to get an official date and proof that I did come up with the idea. What value does that have? None really, other than when i'm old and I tell the grand kids they wont think I'm delusional and recommend me to the "home". They'll smart phone it in 2.3 seconds and say well ah be damned, and that's about it. Hope that isn't too vain. Jesse

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Hey guys,

[...] I don't know how this information should be protected if at all.
Any opinions will be appreciated. Jesse

If it is a product, then file a patent.

If it is a scientific theory, you need to publish it.

There are no other options.

 

[JLT]

FWIW, expressing a theory in written form is not considered a technical paper and the substance of its content cannot be protected by copyright. Publishing such a paper, properly refereed, will create some form of ownership over intellectual property, but that is limited by academic ethics (if anyone even cares about that sort of thing any more).

If one wishes to monetize an idea to any degree under exclusive ownership, it must rise to the level of patent. The expression of theory or hypothesis is just behind the front bumper of the scientific method.

 

[dcali]

Technically anything you write is copyrighted. That has nothing to do with securing a patent, which is what you think you want. What you really want is a grad student in a mechanical engineering program to sanity check your idea. If it's truly novel, which I doubt (sorry - just being honest, which might save you a few bucks), he will be able to tell you almost instantly.

 

[isshinmark]

Jesse, having someone look over you idea for possible application would be good idea. Just make sure you have them sign a Non Disclosure Agreement before you share your idea. NDA will give you the ability to sue for damages if your idea is given away or used for profit. Mark

 

[CJ6]

Barrel harmonics.....Check out Varmint Als site, Just to see if your theory is original...