Get Prepared

Create an Inventor's Journal

The first step is to buy a blank book with stitched in (not glued in) pages that are numbered. Write your idea in detail in the book and include drawings. Fill in the pages completely, writing in ink from top to bottom and side to side, ignoring the margins. Do not 'white out' or erase anything. Just cross out any mistakes. You must not leave any spaces that could be filled in at a later date. That is why it is important to cover the entire pages. Do not skip any pages. Write on both the front and the back of each page. This is VERY IMPORTANT as it establishes when you first got the idea and exactly what your idea is.

After you have thoroughly described your invention, have a friend who will have no financial interest in your invention to read, sign and date the book after they have signed a nondisclosure agreement. Date each subsequent entry and keep the journal of your progress with your invention. Staple receipts for materials, etc. to the pages. Periodically have a friend (it does not have to be the same friend as long as he/she signs a nondisclosure agreement) read, sign and date the journal.

Join an Inventors clubs and or Inventors associations

We STRONGLY recommend that you get in touch with your closest inventors association or club. They can be your most important resource for they are filled with people who have "been there and done that" and can tell you about valuable local resources.

There are a couple of links you can go to in order to locate your nearest inventors club. They are: The United Inventors' Association (click here) or Inventors' Digest Magazine (click here)