Are these companies for real? Do they help? Do they steal peoples ideas or profits? I need to know because i feel that i have some good ideas. Any info or links would be appreciated. thank you.
2006-06-29 08:20:51 · 8 answers · asked by qu2ip 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Advertising & Marketing
I'd recommend that you do some research first.
To protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent
NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
Patent Information:
* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom
What to do Next:
* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis
* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese
* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie
* The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-06-30 09:13:46 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
while i was in school i submit an idea to a company ( cost me $500) - they printed up a nice packet (in hind sight it was all my notes just type set and laid out very nicely) with a nice cover.
they claimed to bring the ideas to an x-amount of trade shows. True they had a booth their but were never attended.
sure they said they would represent it - never heard one thing.
On a different note, while doing some game and toy deisgn I came aross a few companies that seemed a bit more reputable.
But for the most part - the onlly one who can do the work for you, is you!
2006-06-29 08:25:45 · answer #2 · answered by cvy2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do help submit your ideas to companies, but the problem is that it doesn't translate into a profit for you.
If you look into their statistics, the percentage of people who submit ideas that actually get a contract and an income from a company after submission is 0%
Save your money. It's a ripoff.
2006-06-29 08:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by double_nubbins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The commercial and info commercial you see with the little guy banging on a rock, inventors submissions or what not.
SCAM!!!
Proper way would be to contant a patent, copyright or trademark attorney and start there. He will guide you the rest of the way.
2006-06-29 08:23:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to research to see if someone has a patent on it. There are a few patent search sites.....you can google free patent search and find them. Then you will need a patent attorney....If you pay them enough they will research for you....If you really have a good idea and there is nothing like it patented..then it would be worth it....I wouldn't go with those other places that promise you something too good to believe......try searching on your own first....good luck
2006-06-29 08:25:18 · answer #5 · answered by lisa46151 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dude they totally suck. i came to one of those places that advertises on tv to bring your ideas to them and they totally dogged my idea. I wanted to put airbags in the headrests so that rear passengers were covered. They thought that was lame and very expensive and showed me the door. About a year ago or so i noticed a car manufacturer was running with the idea. Good luck man.
2006-06-29 08:24:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wondered the same thing, as I invented something but have no idea how to "build" it or market it. Good luck! I don't trust those companies; what's in it for them?
2006-06-29 08:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by advicemom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would split my idea 50/50 if they help out with the publishment and making it possible... but then again they can just screw you over and make you one of those guy on the TV saying " i invante that but i didn not get anything"
2006-06-29 08:25:12 · answer #8 · answered by San Diego is my home 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋