Create a New Inventor Bio
By creating a new inventor bio to display along with your invention, you can add personal interest and credibility to your invention.
Include aspects of your life that influenced you or made it possible to invent your idea. Is your idea work related? What kind of training do you have? Do you have a degree? Have you invented anything before, or are you a new inventor? Is your invention related to a hobby of yours like fishing, in-line skating or doll collecting? Was it inspired by your son or daughter? Did your upbringing have anything to do with the idea or your decision to pursue it?
Design Patents and Utility Patents
Know which type of patent you will need.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines a design patent as a patent that ¡°protects only the appearance of an article, but not its structural or functional features.¡± A utlitity patent, on the other hand, will protect the functional features of your invention.
The USPTO will only grant a utility patent to an invention if it is determined to be ¡°a new, non-obvious and useful: process, machine, article of manufacture, composition of matter or an improvement to any of [the previously listed items].¡±
New inventors who would like to patent an idea while working with an invention help company can receive a referral to an independent patent attorney to help prepare and file a U.S. patent application with the USPTO.
Document Problems in the Development of New Invention Ideas
If you chose to build a prototype or test your idea, write down the process you follow - including your failures. Don't be afraid to document problems in assembly or design or failures during your tests. By studying your failures you will improve on your invention ideas.
All inventors go through a trial and error process. Thomas Edison experimented with thousands of inventions that didn¡¯t work.
Tips for Creating a Basic Information Report (Part II)
Include marketing and production projections in your new product idea's basic information report:
1. Point out primary potential markets, secondary consumers, etc., by using general U.S. Government statistics.
2. Provide estimates of manufacturing costs and suggest wholesale costs in conjunction with an estimated retail price.
3. Using general statistics, estimate the number and types of outlets where the new product idea could be distributed.
4. Obtain a preliminary patentability search and opinion.
Help Kids Invent
Encourage your children to invent. The USPTO Web site has a section just for kid inventors. It offers invention help, games, tutorials and more.
There are a lot of contests and invention services aimed at kid inventors. Be sure to thoroughly research each one before you sign up. Unfortunately, some companies that claim to want to help inventors will rip you off.
Document Your New Invention Ideas
Did you know Thomas Edison wasn¡¯t the first person to patent the light bulb? His competitors filed for and received a patent before him, but Edison challenged them in court and proved his case with a detailed record of the new invention idea.
To document your inventions or new product ideas, use a permanently bound book with numbered pages. This book can be used to document new invention ideas for future development, or to document the progress of an idea from concept to completion.
Sign and Date the Pages of Your New Invention Log
Sign and date the pages of your new invention log as you fill them to establish track record of your invention activities.
Never sign or date any page before using or finishing that page. Also, never back-date pages. Back-dating is a dishonest practice that consists of placing a date on information about a new invention idea so that it appears you performed the documented work earlier than you actually did. Back-dating could affect your rights and call into question the date of conception of your idea.
Initial Steps for Documenting New Invention Ideas
Before you do anything else, write your name, address and telephone number in your new invention documentation log. Next, give your invention a name (a simple, brief title will do), then give an overall description of it. Describe how the concept would work, its uses and benefits.
Benefits are what problems your invention solves. The uses description will include who will use it and how they will achieve the benefits. How it works should include a description of the pieces, how they are assembled and what they do.
Another Way to Get Exposure for Inventions
A great way to gain exposure for your new invention ideas is to enter an invention contest. Invention contests are held both by invention trade shows and by individual companies. You can find contests for your new invention ideas offered everywhere from pet stores to television stations. Look around for one that will fit your new invention, or invent something especially for the contest. However, you should consult your patent attorney before entering a contest to ensure that you do not lose any rights to your new invention ideas.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
When it's time to market your invention, check in with your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for valuable inventors help
The SBDC is a program of the U.S. Government¡¯s Small Business Association that provides assistance to current and prospective small business owners. The SBDC can help in areas such as business start up, management and growth. SBDCs assist small businesses by offering workshops and one-on-one mentoring. They can even help you write a business plan. They also possess valuable invention help resources for new inventors.
These centers get a portion of their funding from the government and another portion from corporate sponsorship.
Assemble Basic Information About Your New Product Idea
Assemble basic information about an invention or new product idea to build a foundation of relevant facts and information. You probably already know the invention¡¯s name, what problem it solves and who might use it. You'll also want to discover the size of the potential market, possible packaging requirements and trends in the industry. Don't forget to project cost estimates for manufacturing, wholesale and retail.
Get Internet Listings for New Product Ideas
By displaying your invention on the Internet, you may uncover new opportunities that you otherwise wouldn't have known about. Web sites such as Invention Place? [www.inventionplace.com] provide an online forum for inventors, entrepreneurs and intellectual property owners. Through these forums, individual inventors gain exposure for their new product ideas and make contact with interested companies.
Cheap Invention Help
For the cheapest invention help available, go to the library. Get to know the reference librarian. Look at trade publications that service your invention area and read them frequently. When you find a few trade magazines that are relevant, subscribe to them. You'll be up-to-date with the very latest that is happening in your field without having to spend much money.