What Inventors should do
- Stay away from invention marketing companies that advertise on radio and late night TV. They’re out to fatten their wallets and empty yours.
- Keep good records about your idea and its development. Some day you may need those records to prove your idea is actually yours.
- Build a model. There is no need to get fancy. At first, cardboard, white glue, balsa wood, off-the-shelf parts are sufficient. No matter how simple the idea, prove it works.
- Have your invention evaluated by a nonbiased professional. Even if your parents are in the business, take your invention to someone else.
- Learn all you can about the process of new product development to better enable you to take your product from a concept in your head to the shelf. Go to your local library or book store. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
- Network with other inventors. Join a local inventors organization. Attend conferences and conventions.
- Conduct your own patent search. Go to a patent and trademark agency and see if your invention is already patented. If it is, there is obviously no need to go to a patent attorney.
- If your patent search shows that your creation has potential, make an appointment with a patent attorney. Show the attorney the results of your search and follow the advice you are given.
- Do what you do well and hire professionals to do the rest.
- Don’t fall in love with your invention. But if you’re confident you have a winner, hang in there. Even overnight successes take time.
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