Searching for SA Technology Nuggets

[desA]

I am looking for unique South African Technology Nuggets^(R), which can be sold, or traded in the South East Asian marketplace.

South Africa went through a tremendous growth phase during the period 1975+ through to mid 1990's. During that time a number of rather unique local technologies were developed. For example, we had some unique heat-exchange technologies; were leaders in coal-to-fuel processing; leaders in gold mining - amongst, I'm sure, many others. I for one, was extremely proud to be a contributor during this period - & beyond.

We have recently begun a drive to find a home for some of these Technology Nuggets^(R) in South East Asia.

Please make contact, per private mail if you own, or are involved in some of these technologies, & technologies you consider useful - for further discussion. All enquiries will be managed discretely, with all intellectual property managed carefully through leading IP attorneys in SA & SE Asia.

(Technology Nuggets^(R) is a registered trademark)

[adrianh]

Have you found anything worthwhile?

[adrianh]

Your website doesn't seem to have any data!

[desA]

Hi Adrianh,

Have a few decent technologies to date - some will be added to our website, in due course, subject to client approval. Discrete dealings are our intention.

An example - one with a proud track record in SA, going back some 40 years. Its origins were from offshore, but the product benefited from a great deal of local input & development over its operating life in SA. In the end, the original developers hardly recognised the end product.

Am looking for others which can be further developed offshore, with potential sales offshore & possibly back into SA - at more realistic manufacturing prices. SE Asia has moved well past SA in many manufacturing aspects. We are leveraging these aspects.

The main issue in SA is that component prices are vastly overpriced due to low production volumes & antiquated manufacturing technologies / high labour prices / general lack of competitiveness. Putting the know-how in high-volume facilities outside SA, would be of interest. The SA know-how holders can then rejuvenate a number of their technologies.

[adrianh]

I have an idea that could potentially revolutionize the embroidery industry. The problem is to do it in such a way that I get to make a huge amount of money from it. Once it is out there then every single large embroidery machine manufacturer would climb into it. The idea could also be used on normal sewing machines as an add on.

Its one of those ideas that is not rocket science, it is merely combining seemingly disparate technologies. One would have to figure out how to get technology experts from one or two technologies to work on two aspects of the problem simultaneously.

[desA]

Adrianh - we can discuss this further per e-mail. It's on my website. info@rarefiedtechnologies.com

A typical first step is to set up a Non-Disclosure Agreement between you & RareTech, so that you are protected during the exploration phase. We can then assess your concept & where you sit in relation to the idea's development.

In the regions we work in, Trade Secrets can be protected under IP legislation. This offers a level of protection not available in SA.

[adrianh]

Ok, what do we have to lose. It is merely an idea right now that doesn't make any money but if we work together we could potentially make a hell of a lot of money. I am more than happy to go in together with you provided that we can get a decent agreement in place. I am also quite happy to fairly share whatever money we make.

Draw the agreement up and mail it to me...then we can get started.

Adrian_hill@mweb.co.za

[Justloadit]

Hmmm, funny, an observation only, I remember a thread a while back, where adrianh mentioned that he did not sign NDA's with clients that approached him with ideas.
Interesting how this one is going to pan out.

[desA]

An NDA protects the idea-generator, in cases like this. To get into detailed discussions, without protection, opens the inventor to potential prejudice.

I've always applied a simple rule to my own innovations:
If the client/interested party will not sign an NDA then they are either not serious about follow-through, or they are potential crooks - I then close the communication channel.

The first step should always be an NDA.

The times when I over-rode my rule & worked on trust, are the ones where I often came unstuck.

[adrianh]

@Justloadit - I said that I would never sign a non-disclosure agreement when a client comes to me with his idea without telling me up front what the idea is simply because I have too many ideas of my own which I would like to implement.

I did not say that I would not have a third party sign a non-disclosure agreement with me when I want to implement my own idea.

My reasoning is that I will rather not partake in another persons idea if there is any chance whatsoever of that idea limiting my own inventive pursuits.

[Justloadit]

@Justloadit - I said that I would never sign a non-disclosure agreement when a client comes to me with his idea without telling me up front what the idea is simply because I have too many ideas of my own which I would like to implement.

I did not say that I would not have a third party sign a non-disclosure agreement with me when I want to implement my own idea.

My reasoning is that I will rather not partake in another persons idea if there is any chance whatsoever of that idea limiting my own inventive pursuits.

So can the third party not apply your rule?

[adrianh]

Of course they can, and they do, and that is exactly why I have no interest in their ideas. I don't want any part of their ideas if I don't know what I am letting myself in for. I have way too many products on the market already and viable ideas of my own that their idea will have to be very special in my opinion for me to tie myself down to such an agreement. People are free to enter into such an agreement with me on my ideas if they choose to do so, it is their choice, just as it is my choice not to.

[desA]

The way an NDA is drawn up is very important. Simply put, if the ideas emerging during disclosure are known to either party, or are already in public domain, this can be expressly stated, in writing. At that point, the NDA does not apply to the information flow.

There are also generally a few other exclusions in place to protect both parties. Given the fairness & protection of such disclosure, it is always imperative for both parties to sign up to an NDA before any idea flow begins.

Adrianh, you may very well have been doing yourself a dis-service in former relationships.

The big issue kicks in if neither party are reliable-enough to honour their commitments in the NDA. This may be something to thoroughly investigate either directly before signing, or post-signing, before a major idea flow begins. Trustworthiness & honour are often sadly in short supply, today.

[adrianh]

If I was merely a manufacturer then yes, I would be happy to sign such agreements. I am a prolific designer, I have the skills and own the gear to develop stuff very quickly. Like I said a million times before, I will not sign a non-disclosure agreement with anybody unless I know up front what I am dealing with because I may already have something similar in mind. I would much rather forego a possible opportunity than blindly ring-fence my own freedom.

To coin a phrase: "You keep your cheese if you try to cage me in and you keep your hands off mine"

..and I honestly don't care if I miss a great opportunity because the decision that I have to make at the time is limited to my knowledge at the time of making the decision. If it turns out that the idea makes billions then that is perfectly ok and I stand by my decision.