Words of Wisdom on Protecting Your Idea
Local Author Writes About Protecting Intellectual Property
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When William A. Van Dyke Jr. first started writing, he admits he was not good, nonetheless he continued because he felt writing helped him, whether by learning something new or by expressing himself better.
Now, at age 74, Van Dyke has molded himself from the son of a rural pioneer family in Texas to a distinguished engineer and scientist who has written more than 30 manuscripts and published two books.
"I want to improve myself, and writing is a way to improve," said Van Dyke, who moved to Gainesville in 2003.With his newest book, "How to Protect Your Intellectual Property and Make a Profit," released in May 2009, Van Dyke passes on his knowledge to help people navigate the complicated systems necessary for protecting their ideas.
"I am not interested in making a fortune, but I am interested in helping others with patents and copyrights," Van Dyke said.
Van Dyke's journey into the laws of intellectual property began long before he decided to write a book. While studying for a doctorate in engineering, his professors encouraged him to also pursue a doctorate in policy and public affairs, he said.
Over the years, he has also applied for patents himself, but in other cases, his employers or publishers have filed applications, Van Dyke said. At one time, he was even offered a position at a patent office, but he declined.
"I am an inventor, and I have always worked very closely with patents where I have worked," Van Dyke said.
Van Dyke finally decided to write a book on intellectual property because it was a subject he was both interested in and rife with pitfalls and complexity.
"I could not find a single-volume book that dealt with this entire process," Van Dyke said.
For the past five years, Van Dyke has extensively researched intellectual property, copyright and patent laws and processes, court cases, history and more to create his own single-volume book detailing the subject.
"I try to clarify some of the complexity in the patent area," Van Dyke said, adding that the laws are important because they "protect your idea from someone else taking advantage and using it as their own."
The book explains the patent system, discussing criteria, classification (including how to select a classification), filling out the application, sample letters, whether to get a lawyer, what it costs and protects, and dealing with infringement, Van Dyke said.
Van Dyke also attempts to clarify the copyright system, intellectual property and how to incorporate ideas into businesses to make a profit, according to the back cover of the book.
"[Intellectual property] is not like owning a house, but it is something of value, and it is created by you," he said. "You are guarding against someone making a profit from your idea. That is what you are really protecting."
Although Van Dyke said he would like to see his book read like a novel, it is closer to reference material.
He included a number of appendices that detail everything from forms and information to resources and references for further study to law resources and a glossary of terms, he said. In an effort to create that strong reference book, he also wrote a comprehensive index.
Robert Ramey, an inventor with a Ph.D. in physics, and a former associate dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Florida, was enthusiastic about the book after he read it.
"This is the best book I have ever seen showing the way to commercialize intellectual property," Ramey said. "This book tells you how to do it."
Ramey is a firm believer in the usefulness of patents, and has experienced the benefits himself.
After patenting the circuitry for the first solid-state UNIVAC computer, Ramey bought a house with the profits from his first royalty check, he said.
"It is almost as useful to have a patent as well as a building when building a business," he said, adding that patents "are very powerful assets."
Ramey said this book would be useful to anyone who searches for new knowledge, such as those in the computer or medical industry.
"Anyone who has the opportunity to invent," he said.
Van Dyke agreed, but takes his potential audience much further, to reach small businesses, engineers, professionals, entrepreneurs and more.
"I try to address every kind of person who would use this book," Van Dyke said.
Most importantly, with this book, Van Dyke said he wants people to know they do not necessarily need to hire a lawyer to navigate the law but can do it themselves.
At his book signings in Gainesville in September and October, Van Dyke said he hopes to address that concern, along with other questions the audience may have. He will also discuss, sell and sign his books.
"I want the layman to pursue patenting," Van Dyke said. "I'd like the audience to tell me what their questions are." §
Mary Kypreos is a freelance writer and editor who travels as much as possible. She can be contacted via the editor.
Gainesville Book signing events:
Sept. 12
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tower Road Branch of the Alachua County Library System
3020 S.W. 75th St.
352-333-2840.
Oct. 8
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Books Inc.
505 N.W. 13th St.
352-374-4241
