Chapter 73: Registering a Global Patent

Chapter 73: Registering a Global Patent

The issue of equipment wasn't urgent. It wasn't something that could be solved immediately anyway. What mattered most right now was registering the patent.

A few days later, Yang Wendong received news from Old Shen that a shipment of low-adhesion pressure-sensitive glue had arrived from Japan. He had requested it to be air-shipped directly.

A week later, the glue arrived.

Su Yiyi opened one of the bottles, applied a small amount to a cut piece of paper, pressed it together with another sheet — then peeled them apart easily.

"Dong-ge, look," Su Yiyi said cheerfully. "It's exactly what you wanted. It sticks without falling off, and you can peel it clean with a little force."

"Let me try." Yang took the two sheets, pressed one onto another piece of paper, then carefully peeled it off.

After assessing the resistance and checking the surface, he muttered, "The glue layer might still be a bit thick. Or maybe the adhesive is a little too strong. We'll need to fine-tune this."

When he'd made the glue boards, the only requirement was maximum stickiness. As long as it held the rat down, it was a success.

But sticky notes were different — the adhesiveness had to be just right. Too sticky, and it would tear paper. Too weak, and it would fall off.

"Alright, I'll keep experimenting," Su Yiyi nodded. "I feel like maybe rice paste would work too."

"That might be sticky, but it won't keep," Yang laughed. "Rice spoils. It needs to be a chemical glue."

"Oh, okay." Su Yiyi nodded again. "Then I'll try using even less glue this time."

"Mm, I'll test alongside you." Yang joined in.

For the next hour or so, the two of them tried various types of glue and quantities, producing over a hundred versions of "proto-sticky notes."

Su Yiyi furrowed her brow. "Dong-ge, this DK29 glue works best. But I'm just estimating by hand. It's easy to apply too much."

Yang looked over their experimental "notes" and said, "Yeah... we'll need testing equipment. Otherwise, we can't record reliable data."

"Testing equipment?" Su Yiyi blinked. "What kind?"

"Things that measure weight or durability. For example, how much glue is applied per note, what the optimal amount is, how long it lasts…" Yang explained.

"Ohhh," Su Yiyi nodded. "You can test lifespan too?"

"Sure," Yang replied. "But lifespan's not the real issue. Temperature is. Glue behaves differently depending on heat or cold.

In some places, it's freezing. In others, it's sweltering. We'll have to consider all that."

"What kind of equipment do we need then?" Su Yiyi asked.

Yang glanced at the nearby fan and then at the sweat forming on Su Yiyi's neck. "Well, summer's not completely over. It's still hot in Hong Kong. Let's do this: go buy a refrigerator. The freezer section should reach about -20°C, which is close enough for testing."

Of course, the best-case scenario would be to have a professional high-low temperature test chamber, with precise time controls. But those were import-only, expensive, and had long lead times.

A refrigerator would do for now. And if the tests failed, well... at least they'd have a fridge to use.

"Got it. I'll go check the department stores later," Su Yiyi said.

Yang nodded. "Good. It'll take some time to finalize this sticky note project, but for now, this is enough to start. Once I've registered the patent, we'll refine it slowly."

When it came to creative patents, as long as there was a working prototype, registration was possible.

And once it was registered — that's when things became secure.

This was a non-seasonal product — a market much larger than glue boards. While glue boards had competition from rat poison, traps, and cages, sticky notes were in a completely new category.

It was a convenience tool, not a replacement for something else. It wouldn't threaten any existing industry — it would simply create a new one.

Yang once again reached out to lawyer Zhang Weida and signed a patent registration authorization agreement. Only then did he reveal the sticky note prototype and explain how it worked.

After listening, Zhang was stunned. "That's a great idea. When I'm working on case files, I often remember something I need to do — either later today or days ahead — but then I forget when the time comes."

Yang grinned. "Exactly. That's normal. Sticky notes are designed for people like you — office workers."

Everyone forgot things sometimes — it was part of being human. In the modern digital age of his previous life, Yang had relied heavily on smartphones and alarm apps. The moment something came to mind, he'd set an alert to remind him later.

But in this era? That wasn't an option. Even after sticky notes existed, they'd never be as effective as mobile alarms — but they were the best tool available right now.

Zhang nodded in agreement. "It sounds simple once you explain it, but no one ever thought of it before. You're brilliant, Mr. Yang. I'd buy a pack right now if I could.

There are so many office workers in the world — I bet a ton of people would love this."

Though Zhang wasn't a businessman, his years in the legal field had brought him into contact with plenty of entrepreneurs. He had developed a decent sense of commercial potential.

Yang laughed. "That's why I need to register the patent immediately."

"Right. Are you starting with Hong Kong first?" Zhang asked.

"No," Yang replied firmly. "Hong Kong, plus all the countries with decent economies and patent systems — especially non-Paris Convention members — we register everything together."

Registering in multiple countries would be expensive. But Yang had done the math, and given the potential of sticky notes, it was worth it.

In the past few months, thanks to glue board and flypaper sales, he had earned 30,000–40,000 HKD. He could afford a round of international patent applications.

Fortunately, he had built his capital off the glue board business. If he had thought of sticky notes earlier — but hadn't had the money — someone else might have taken the idea once he revealed it.

Zhang nodded. "Then let's go now — the sooner, the better."

"Agreed," Yang said with a nod. He wanted it finalized as soon as possible.

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