We’re sharing a list of relevant educational resources for anyone getting started on their journey to understand intellectual property.
Inventor Resources
An Easy But Powerful Prior Art Search
PQAI is a collaborative open-source initiative to build a free of cost and shared AI-based prior-art search tool for fellow inventors.
2020 U.S. Trade Show Calendar
Trade shows involving a world of products and services are often instrumental for finding essential contacts to help guide us through the myriad layers of the inventing and entrepreneurial process. They also provide a glimpse into what your competitors are doing and what you may need to succeed.
5 Inventor Traits To Eliminate Immediately
Most inventors are wonderful people, but I find that most, if not all, exhibit some traits that are holding them back from getting their products to market.
Handy, Schmandy: Manufacturing and Licensing by Yourself
Having inventing talent isn’t crucial for getting your
product to market
It’s essential to make the right choices involving manufacturing
by yourself, licensing and crowdfunding.
5 Tips for Great Product Photos on Social Media
Featuring your invention in the best way is key to maximizing customers. Social media users want eye-catching pictures; high quality that reflects the product; a clear branding strategy; and no repeated photos.
Why Do So Many Start-ups Fail? Two Surveys Highlight Common Factors
Failure for startups can be defined in many ways, but the factors involved are often consistent.
6 Tips For Creating a Great Patent Application Description
When preparing a description for a patent application, it’s important to take your time and get all of the details right—because you cannot add any information after the application has been filed. Include all relevant information and make sure you haven’t included...
A List of U.S. Start-up Competitions
Here are some U.S. events that offer start-ups a host of opportunities in terms of motivation, education, financial support and exposure. Startup World Cup $1 million grand investment prize. startupworldcup.io. G-Startup Worldwide Regional competitions; Global Final...
Top Trade Shows for Inventors in 2018
Looking for good trade shows to attend in 2018? Here’s our top trade shows of 2018 event calendar!
Patent Process Help
Worried about the daunting prospect of filing a patent? There’s help via a new program from the United States Patent and Trademark Office offering patent process help. The USPTO’s Office of Innovation Development launched a Patent Virtual Assistance Pilot Program in...
Inventor Organizations
Below is a list of independent inventor organizations and groups across the United States. Many groups keep up-to-date schedules of regularly occurring meetings and events for their local areas. Visit an individual group's website for more information. Inventors...
Steps to License Your Invention’s Patent or Patent Application
1. Decide the kind of trade show that will have appropriate manufacturers present. 2. Search the internet, and make a list of those shows. 3. Phone or e-mail the show’s management and ask how to qualify to attend, and if there is a charge for non-displayers. Many...
Some Cautions Before Contacting Angels
You must have more than a great idea. A patent application, a professional prototype and realistic assessment of your product’s or service’s commercial potential are minimum early assets. These are usually financed by you or your friends and family, but don’t promise...
Beware of Scams
Got a great idea for a new product? Congratulations!! You’re about to embark on a journey of a lifetime! Getting a new product to market is a whole new learning experience. It’s exciting, challenging, frustrating, confusing, potentially rewarding, and, unfortunately,...
Fun Facts
Learn fun facts about and see how mishaps and mistakes can lead to serendipitous discoveries.
ABCs of Inventing
1.) Stay away from invention marketing companies that advertise on radio and late night TV. They’re out to fatten their wallets and empty yours!!! There is no one stop shopping as far as invention development is concerned. Some invention marketing companies claim to...
Products Created by Independent Inventors
7-UP (Charles Leiper Grigg) 56K modem (Dr. Brent Townshend) Adolphs Meat Tenderizer (Adolph Rempp) Adverteasing (Richard Levy) Aerobies (Alan Adler) airbag (Allen Breed) air brake (George Westinghouse) air conditioning (Willis Carrier) airplane (Orville & Wilbur...
Helpful Links
Agricultural Research Service www.ars.usda.gov American Bar Association (ABA) 750 North Lake Dr., Chicago. IL 60611 www.abanet.org/intelprop (IPL Section) American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 203, Arlington, VA...
FAQ
A. Answer from the U.S. Department of Energy. Click here. A. ANSWER from Joanne Hayes-Rines, Inventors Digest #1. Do a patent search. You can do one at a Patent and Trademark Depository library. Check http://www.uspto.gov/ for location near you. #2 Do a market search....
Inventor Friendly Companies
Note: Since this page was first published in 2014, some companies have chosen not to accept outside ideas from inventors. Edison Nation Edison Nation provides the most opportunities for your great ideas to reach their greatest potential in a secure, trusted and proven...