In the US and Europe Patents run for 20 years. Considering the Festool Domino evolved since around 2004 it is unlikely for any mainstream toolmaker will be putting out any Festool Domino equivalents into the market any time soon. If this is correct and Festool has not filed any new patents for modified designs.
So How Long Have We Got To Wait?
The earliest the Festool Domino concept can be copied is 2024 but there may be caveats. There will be updates to the design which could inhibit others from copying the concept
The Festool Domino Patent
‘To gain a patent you have to consider the process of achieving the goal and not the goal itself!’
Who is Festool
In this article I have talked about the Patent duration but just in case you have no idea who Festool is. Festool is a brand of high-end power tools from Germany they manufacture a range of power tools and accessories for woodworking and other applications. The Festool Domino is a morticing system that is designed to quickly and accurately create oval dowel joints in woodworking projects. It uses a system of interchangeable carbide cutters to create precise holes in a variety of sizes and configurations, and can be used to join a wide range of materials, including solid wood, plywood, and MDF. The Domino is known for its accuracy, speed, and versatility, and is widely used by professional woodworkers and hobbyists alike. It is one of a range of products offered by Festool that are designed to help woodworkers create high-quality, professional-grade projects with minimal effort and time.
For you Woodworking Brainiacs!
How to File a Patent?
- Check that your idea is original by searching the Patents and Trademark Office.
- Patent Attorney is a good idea but will be costly.
- What category of Patent do you need – Utility, Design or Machinery
- Apply for provisional Patent
- Patent Pending
- Patent Granted or Rejected
Are Patents Worth it?
Elon Musk has said in response to a question about Patents: “I don’t care about patents,” “Patents are for the weak.” In Musk’s opinion, patents are “generally used as a blocking technique” that are designed to prevent others from innovating. That makes perfect sense for products that are continuously changing such as Space Rocket but an electric power tool which is designed to do one job. It was wise of Festool to protect it’s greatest innovation the Festool Domino Morticer.
Musk went on to say, “They’re used like landmines in warfare, They don’t actually help advance things; they just stop others from following you.”
I do find his answer to Leno odd considering Musk has several patents such as:
- A method for landing a spacecraft on a planet or other celestial body (US Patent 9,380,096)
- A system and method for wirelessly transmitting power (US Patent 9,380,280)
- A transport system for vehicles and other objects (US Patent 9,470,971)
- A method and system for improving the range and performance of electric vehicles (US Patent 9,526,762)
In Conclusion
If you are considering waiting for brands like Dewalt or Makita to market their version of the Domino joining system you will need to wait a good few years! If you want to experience the concept now you will need to buy an original Festool.
You can buy the Festool Domino DF500 or the DF700 on Amazon at low prices compared to other merchants.