Riding a wave to success

Name: Nick Kent

Business: Boardsling

Industry: Surfing accessories

IP smart since: 2005

RIDING A WAVE TO SUCCESS

When legendary Greek philosopher Plato uttered the words 'necessity.. the mother of invention', more than 2300 years ago, he probably did not have surfing in mind.

But that was exactly what led Queensland man Nick Kent to design a surfboard carrying device to make it easier to carry his long board to the beach.

We were living in an area where the waves are smaller so I started to ride a long board," he said.

"It was a half mile's walk to the surf break, and carrying a big board was awkward and hard on the arms, shoulders and back. People don't like to take their board bags because they can be stolen or they get full of sand that then mixes with the wax on their board.

"So I started looking at a way to create a sling-type surfboard carrier that would do the job."

Nick created a prototype of what he would call the Boardsling, a simple heavy duty strap that hooks around the surfboard, allowing the carrier to simply sling it over a shoulder. The Boardsling is effective and ergonomic and it prevents the board bouncing and avoids jarring and other injuries.

Once he had made the prototype in his garage, Nick realised he would need some sort of patent protection for his invention. Without a knowledge of patent legislation, he sought the advice of IP professionals. His patent attorney assisted him in securing two innovation patents that offer him protection throughout Australia.

"I am glad that we used professionals, we definitely needed them."

Nick's Boardsling fell into the innovation patent category rather than the standard patent because it was new and useful, but while innovative it did not meet the higher inventive threshold required for a standard patent.

Nick had both innovation patents examined by IP Australia, when they met the requirements of the Patents Act they became certified and legally enforceable. Without certification, he would not have been able to stop others from copying his Boardsling.

The innovation patent is particularly useful for the needs of small-to-medium-sized enterprises like Nick's. It is a relatively fast, cost effective and flexible mechanism for protecting and commercialising intellectual property (IP).

Because it permits a lower inventive threshold than a standard patent, it is suitable for comparatively smaller advances over existing technology and helps business acquire rights for incremental inventions. Also if the invention goes on to examination and certification, the innovation patent offers the same level of protection as the standard patent. This is important for innovators who are prepared to take legal action to enforce their rights.

"Once this Boardsling wave is finished we want to come up with another invention to get on a new wave and then we will ride that one, and then the next and then the next."