The ABC's of Inventing - Steps 1-3

I came across the following article in Inventor's Digest I thought would be help as a guide to all you new inventors out there. Ill be putting out this article in sections over the next few weeks, so lets start with the first step for advice to avoid common mistakes on your road to patenting your invention:1.) Stay away from invention marketing companies that advertise on radio and late night TV. They are 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 be able to present any kind of product to industry, but that would mean they would have to be very knowledgeable about every industry. Successful invention marketers work in selected industries and have specific contacts in those industries. They have spent years building relationships with those inside corporations in specific industries.2.) Keep good records about your idea . . . some day they may be the back up you need to prove YOUR idea is YOURS!If your idea of keeping notes about your invention means stuffing scraps of paper into a desk drawer, change your ways! Get a bound notebook and record in a professional manner everything you do with your invention. Record the name of every person you talk to, including the date and a brief recap of the conversation. Staple into the notebook receipts of materials youÕve purchased to build prototypes. Record ideas you have for other inventions so that you donÕt forget them. Have a trusted friend witness your notebook periodically. Your notebook will become your invention diary that will be a very valuable tool as you develop your idea.3.) Do your own patent search online at www.uspto.gov or at a Patent Depository Library. If you find that your invention is already patented, thereÕs no need to go to a patent attorney.Just because youÕve never seen your product on the market doesnÕt mean it doesnÕt exist! It could be patented but not marketed. It could be on the market in another area of the country. It could be sold only through catalogs or specialty stores. Do a patent search -- and an extensive market search -- and really satisfy yourself that your product (or something better!) doesnÕt already exist. Check specialty catalogs (there are thousands on the market) because many products are sold in catalogs and may never be sold in a retail store. Do an Internet search.For more information and articles visit my blog at http://inventors-submission-lounge.blogspot.com or my website.Article source: Inventors Digest

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