Invention City Information
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Succeed with Your Invention - 1 minute article
Inventing 101: First Steps (free book)
Library (links to useful articles and books)
Message to First Time Inventors
Throughout the invention process an inventor must push aside the "no" men and doubters who clog every pathway. The adage 1% inspiration 99% perspiration is true. Rugged persistence is a necessary ingredient for success.
Each proceeding step in the invention process requires geometrically greater investment in time and money. The inventor should listen attentively. Why does this person like this invention? Would she actually buy it. Would he actually use it? What price? What features?
There is no room for emotion when analyzing a project's merits for the marketplace. If at any point the inventor concludes that the market will not support the invention then either a) the invention must be changed or b) the project should be stopped.
Even when every signal is a bright green "go" the road is hard and uncertain. Don't be afraid. Be informed.
Davison
Davison helps inventors commercialize inventions with prototyping and licensing services. Invention City is pleased to have Davison as a sponsor and provides links to Davison throughout this website. Invention City believes that a functional prototype vastly increases the likelihood of successfully entering into a profitable licensing agreement.
Learn more about Davison
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Tal
said:
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... I have a great, simple product for kids but I am just confused not knowing if I should do the whole thing by myself or have an invention company help me throughout the whole process. I probably could successfully make the product to sell but I am worried about the legal work. I don't want my idea being used by someone else. Should I start the provisional patent before I begin? |
mike
said:
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... Writing a full disclosure of your idea and filing it in the form of a provisional patent is a good idea before you start talking to people... but (there's always a "but"): 1. The odds are very good that your design will change before the invention is commercialized and you'll need to write a new patent... 2. You'll be obligated to file a non-provisional ("real") patent within one year - you should have professional help for that stage in the form of a patent attorney and the cost will likely run you between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on the details. 3.Creating a prototype and confirming/perfecting the invention is a better initial investment than filing for patent protection - but you do need to be careful about disclosure. 4. You should do as much as you can yourself because no one will be a better advocate for your invention than you. However, time constraints, professional/family obligations, ability, interest level etc. may be such that you would be better off using an invention service company. If you go that route you should use a company that focuses on prototypes first rather than patents (such as Davison). A prototype is the only way to find out if your invention has true commercial potential. |
pingguo002
said:
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I developed a new medical technologies I developed a new medical technologies. Always wanted to link research institutions to do the test, but could not find. I now open the product's production method. Would like to draw more attention. This product is a revolutionary technology. Expected to overcome cancer |
Claudia
said:
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... I did a patent search recently just to see if anything similar to what I had in mind had been patented. Not only did I find something similiar, but I found what appears to be several different patents for what appears to be the same product. Several differnent inventors' names over a period of about 20 years were associated with the same idea. How is that possible? |
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