I have designed a simple circuitry to resolve a problem. I want to
mass produce it as a product for sale. However, I do not want to
produce it on an unprotected PCB board for fear of being copied. I
would like to hear your opinion about what might be the solution.
Since your circuit design is simple you can write up and apply for the
patent yourself. Its a very useful learning lesson and you don't have
to spend a fortune. All a patent does is perhaps provide proof that
you came up with the idea first. It has defensive protection so that
someone else will find it hard to say you copied his invention and ask
for damages. Beyond that its not worth suing another party. If you
don't sue then it doesn't provide protection against copycats.
Further, its only a circuit. A good engineer can always come up with
an equivalent circuit to achieve the same functionality. As everyone
else said go in, make it, sell it. The moment someone else enters the
same niche, and this is the only product you have, take your money and
get out.
