Inventor Links
Inventors Associations
International
Federation of Inventors Association - IFIA is
a non-profit, nongovernmental organization created
by seven European inventor associations in 1968. Today,
its membership belong to more than 110 countries.
IFIA is the only organization which groups inventors
associations worldwide, and a unique spokesman for
inventors.
Austin Inventors' & Entrepreneurs Association - Outstanding and dynamic group in the Austin Texas area.
Technology
Advocates of San Antonio/Inventors & Entrepreneurs
- This great local inventor's club is a valuable resource
for San Antonio area inventors. If you are in the
area you should contact them.
Houston Inventors Association - Outstanding inventors group servicing the Houston Texas Area
Tarrant County Inventors - Newly formed group serving Tarrant County, Texas.
Texas
Inventors Association - Home inventors' group
for Ask the Inventors! serving the Dallas/Fort Worth,
Texas Metroplex.
Inventors'
Alliance of Northern California - (http://www.inventorsnorcal.org)
Outstanding inventors group in Northern California.
Minnesota Inventors' Conference - They offer two programs. The first is as a year round resource center. They provide a human voice that helps direct inventors to reliable resources, helping inventors understand that becoming educated about the product development process is the best investment they can make and how to avoid the invention promotion scam companies!!! They also host an annual inventors expo. Their 49th is scheduled for June 9-11, 2006.
General Links
Academy of Applied Science - The Academy is recognized nationally as an educational resource center offering enrichment programs for students, and professional development for teachers and educational administrators.
InventorsHQ - Helping inventors from around the world to get
their products from the garage to the marketplace
for the least amount of out-of-pocket money as humanly
possible.
24/7 Patent & Trademark Information line provided by Straussberger & Price of San Antonio. The number is 210 250 6027. The information provided (i.e. the 12 most common misconceptions about patents) is well worth the cost of the telephone call.
Intellectual Property Law Server This helpful website allows you to ask questions to patent attorneys and patent agents through their forums. Very helpful! Check it out!
Small Business Resource This site offers valuable information on running and managing a business. If you plan to build a business around your invention you should check this site out!
Take a look! This letter recently came to us. This is a FREE online course to help you prepare your own Provisional Patent Application.
We are happy to provide you free access to our course, Do-It-Yourself Provisional Patent™. The 3-hour course is provided in 20 short segments, and we recommend that you watch six or seven segments at a time. The course is comprehensive and will enable you to write your own high-quality provisional patent application on your invention without the need for a patent attorney or any other resource.
The course is free to you with no strings attached. We do ask, as a courtesy, that you provide us feedback and/or a testimonial (if you are happy with the course) after you have completed it. Also, if you feel ready to take the next step and write your own nonprovisional application, our Do-It-Yourself Patent Course™ is available at www.PatentDVD.com.
Good luck!
Andrew Knight, J.D. and the Staff at Do-It-Yourself Patent Course™
Take a look at this great resource for many services if you are not in a tremendous hurry! It could save you thousands of dollars!
www.freeRandD.com
If you are struggling with how to conduct, fund, and staff the R&D that they need to do to develop an invention, I believe this site will be of interest to you. This may include CAD work, developing software code, designing a circuit board, prototyping a plastic part or mechanical assembly, performing high-end design analysis or simulation work, conducting market research activities, etc….
Not known to many in industry is that there are thousands of university students in universities that have to conduct a Senior Design Project each year, and they are looking for projects of a real world nature to work on. These students are bright and knowledgeable of the latest technologies in design and manufacturing.
That is where freeRandD.com comes in. Our objective is to help bring together talented University Students and Industry that have a common interest in research and development.
As an introductory offering until Feb. 1, 2007, industry/individuals can post a project for free. You have nothing to loose by posting a project, and will have students from the leading universities in the country looking at and hopefully responding with interest to work on you project.
A complete explanation of the site with FAQ can be seen at www.freeRandD.com. If there are any questions I can be reached by phone at (616) 281-6108, or by email at [email protected].
Need Help Developing Your Invention?
Do you have a great invention idea but don't know where to get started? Creative Edge Products is a Product Development company dedicated to bringing your idea to life using quality engineering and industrial design services. Click here to contact John Woellner.
Invention
Evaluation
Canadian Innovation Centre - The Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC) is Canada's leading organization dedicated to assisting inventors and innovative companies. Our range of services includes invention evaluation, technology due diligence, market research, and education programs.
University of Wisconsin Innovation Service Center - The Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC) specializes in new product and invention assessments and market expansion opportunities for innovative manufacturers, technology businesses, and independent inventors. Since 1980, WISC has researched the viability of over 6,000 projects. Technical experts and researchers use an extensive array of resources to analyze information on technical feasibility, existing patents, market size, competitive intensity, demand trends, and other areas. WISC's research products cover product feasibility, competitive intelligence, distributor assessment, customer satisfaction, and licensing partnerships.
I2
Innovation Institute -
Here’s a helpful
little gadget that makes one of the chores of product
development easier! It is called the Idea Value Calculator
(IVC).
PROTOTYPES
How to Make
Plastic Prototypes
Randall Landreneau,
the former president of the Tampa Bay Inventor's Council
has developed an ideal method for creating plastic
prototypes inexpensively. After watching his video
you will be able to produce professional prototypes
on your own with very basic tools and no more expertise
and knowledge than that which you will learn from
the video. This video is a must for every inventor!
Price: $29.00 plus $5.00
priority shipping
Call: (888) 447-9031
http://www.plasticprototypes.net
Randy can also help you by making inexpensive, yet great looking plastic prototypes of your invention. Call him at (888) 447-9031 to get an estimate.
Professional
Prototypers
Zigoukanis Custom Fabrication
We are a model shop based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. We usually make prototypes (or models) of any and all materials for inventors. Whatever is required; silver soldering or blacksmithing, wood turning or fabricating, plastic molding or casting, design, development or drawings; we can deliver. A patent and its drawings are usually sufficient for a working prototype, but certainly not necessary. We make about 100 prototypes a year, patented or not, for people all over the country. Our shop time is $45/hr, and we usually bid jobs around this rate. We are licensed and have tons of references.
www.zigcustfab.com
Telephone: 415-669-7837
[email protected]
Alpha Prototypes
Rapid Prototyping Services - the process of converting CAD drawings into physical parts. Specializing in stereolithography. Easy online quotes that provide instant pricing for prototypes.
Design Prototyping Technologies, a resource for rapid prototyping, recently came to our attention. They work with inventors all over the country. We have not used them personally but they appear to be honest and ethical. Of course, before engaging them you should check them out to your satisfaction. DPT fast Rapid Prototyping
Jason Mitchell, is a mechanical engineer who is available to assist with designing and building your prototype. He will provide a signed non-disclosure agreement to protect your idea. He can also assist you with starting your own business and creating your own website to sell your invention.
Majority of payment is usually not due until after the prototype has been completed, but depends on your situation. Visit http://www.jaybirdengineering.com to get started today!
Scam
Avoidance
Federal Trade Commission
National Inventor Fraud Center - Provides information to consumers about invention promotion companies and how people can market their ideas.
UIAUSA Red Flag
I nventorEd,
Inventor Promoter Caution List
IP
Watchdog - Site run by Gene Quinn, patent attorney
and law professor to help you avoid being scammed.
Patents
Need professional help writing your patent on your relatively simple invention but money is an issue? Try Dirt Cheap Patents. Contact them by clicking here. They may be able to save you thousands of dollars on your patent.
US Patent and Trademark Office
Need a good patent attorney? We personally recommend a couple:
1. Alan Theile of Strasburger & Price. He is extremely independent inventor friendly. He is both a patent attorney and a contract attorney. You can reach him at [email protected].
2. Robert Wise, current President of the Texas Inventors' Association 972 548-9727 [email protected] Bob is a great attorney who worked as a patent examiner for the USPTO for more than 20 years! He is extremely dedicated to helping independent inventors.
Need a referral to a patent agent?
Jeffrey Roddy can be reached at [email protected] or 214 543-2118. This is the patent agent Barb and I use.
We also recommend Joe Page. You can reach him at www.integrityip.com or through www.patentagentunitedstates.com.
Delphion Site for International patent searching.
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Inventright has a new page listing companies that license products from independent inventors! It is broken down by category of invention. Click on this link then scroll down the page to the directory of companies. Here is the link: http://www.inventright.com/links/
After the Patent is a new marketplace to help inventors sell or license their inventions and ideas for Free. To find them Click Here.
Neustel
Law Offices, LTD - a patent law office that helps
businesses and inventors protect their intellectual
property assets including patents, trademarks and
copyrights. Michael Neustel is a U.S. Registered Patent
Attorney with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering and is licensed to practice in front of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office USPTO).
Patent Pro - Creates the patent application for you. It even helps you write the claims like a seasoned patent attorney! • Guides you through the patent process automatically. Generates all your forms and helps you to prepare drawings. Contains all the materials needed to file your own complete patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Use it over and over again to file additional patent applications. Unlike other patent software that prepares only a provisional application, a patent application prepared with PatentPro is reviewed by a trained Examiner at the Patent Office who conducts a prior art search for you. Filing an application with PatentPro is the only way to secure real patent protection and stake your claim. Only $299.00! A huge savings over Attorneys that charge $5,000 per application.
Patent Hunter - This is a must-have for serious inventors. This software program, created by U. S. Patent Attorney Michael S. Neustel, allows you to download multiple patents at the same time from the USPTO database. You now have patents and images available for viewing at your convenience.
Patent
Wizard . This software, created by U. S. Patent
Attorney Michael S. Neustel, lets independent inventors
prepare and file provisional patent applications that
look like they were done by an attorney (a real plus
with the USPTO!)
Professional Patent Searching
Avviso Intellectual Property Services - Registered patent agent, Jeffrey Roddy, performs professional patent searches for clients as well as writing and prosecuting patents. His charge for a basic search is around $400.00. The cost may vary slightly depending on the complexity of your invention. You may contact him at [email protected] or 214 543-2118.
Patent Search International - Professional patent searches at the extremely reasonable price of $250.00. Plus. . . If you give them coupon # ATI251248 at the time you arrange for the search they will deduct an additional $25 and do the search for only $225.00. You can reach them at www.patentsearchinternational.com.
Product
Presentations & Marketing
Take a look at this exceptional new resource! ***************************************
Exceptional Products, Inc. (EPI), www.sellontv.com
Is a direct response television marketer and distributor is looking for new, innovative mass market products. We market all of our products on television through long and short form commercials (“infomercials”) as well as on QVC, HSN and national retailers. The principals of Exceptional Products, Inc. have been involved with creating successful advertising, branding and distribution campaigns for Hairdini Magic Styling Wand, Wrap, Snap & Go Comfort Hair Rollers, TopsyTail Hairstyling Tool, Weed Terminator and Tripledge Windshield Wipers, among others. Inventors are not charged fees for product evaluations. EPI risks its own money to market and distribute the products and pays inventors royalties on the products sold. See www.sellontv.com for further information and to submit your product for a free DRTV evaluation.
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Need help in preparing
a first rate presentation for your product? Shelley
Hunter, successful product developer, and author of
the Moms Inventors Handbook, offers help
in preparing your product presentation for licensing.
You may reach her at: www.helpmelicense.com.
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Joan Lefkowitz's
Accessory Brainstorms
Do you have a Fashion Accessory, Beauty or Lifestyle Invention?
Need help Bringing your Invention to Market?
ACCESSORY BRAINSTORMS is a Licensing Agent, Marketer and Consultant with award-winning results. Our company is renowned as the original marketer for the TOPSYTAIL™ hair invention.
Accessory Brainstorms is now offering one-on-one Consultation Services for inventors of fashion and beauty accessory products who need individualized advice.
Accessory Brainstorms is a licensing and marketing agency for Fashion/Beauty Accessory and Lifestyle Inventions, and was an original marketer of TopsyTail™. Some of their recent product launch successes include the REM Spring hair removal tool, Hollywood Fashion Tapes, Miss Oops, and Lumbarwear.
With 20+ years in the business, the company has the insider knowledge and experience to guide clients through the invention process, whatever their needs may be and at whatever stage they are at.
Some of the guidance Accessory Brainstorms offers is:
Product evaluation, research and resources, referrals (patent searches, invention protection, prototypes, manufacturing), competition analysis, contractual advice, design advice, cost/pricing estimates, strategy, marketing (retail, mail order and internet, TV shopping channels, infomercial's), packaging, marketing materials, methods of distribution, sales, licensing, industry contacts, public relations, managing expectations.
Joan Lefkowitz, the founder and president of Accessory Brainstorms, was awarded by Accessories Magazine for “Most Inventive Products”, and also cited as one of the 100 most important accessories industry “Movers and Shakers”.
For further information, contact Elisabeth Laudon.
Tel. 212-379-6363 or Email: [email protected].
389 Fifth Avenue, Ste 705, NYC 10016 • Tel 212-379-6363 Fax
212-289-7812
[email protected] • www.accessorybrainstorms.com
Axonai is a new resource to us.
If your organization needs a secure and confidential place to find a manufacturing quote (price) for their invention, Axonai.com can help you.
Axonai is totally free for Inventors because manufacturers are the ones that pay.
How it works:
1.Register for free on axonai.com.
2.Post invention you need a quote for (you are under no obligation).
3.Select NDA (Non-Discourse Agreement). This forces manufactures to sign an
agreement that they cannot copy your invention since they’ll be sued.
4.If you receive a quote (price) that you like, you can negotiate directly
with the manufacturer to insure you get exactly what you wanted.
For more information please visit: www.axonai.com or call them at 765-807-6432.
Marcel Ceneviz
[email protected]
Click here to contact them.
Magazines and Bookstores
Inventnet - The Inventors Network
The Inventors Bookstore - The United Inventors Association bookstore.
Inventor's Digest - This site is designed for anyone who has ever said, "I've got a great idea. . .Now what do I do?" It's also THE spot for anyone who's searching for the next HOT product! Check out our magazine site and then follow our links to the wonderful world of invention!
Thomas Register - Listings of manufacturers according to the types of items they manufacture. Available in a 20 volume set at public libraries everywhere and in a more limited version online. When you are ready to locate possible licensees this is one of the first places you should visit.
Licensing Agents
If you wish to
be referred to legitimate manufacturers and licensing
agents please click on the link on the left for "Licensing
Referrals."
Toys and Games
Toy and game inventing is a special category of inventing and operates a little differently than the rest of the inventing industry.
The approach for selling a toy or game to a toy company is different from selling an invention to a manufacturer. Before an inventor presents his product to a potential manufacturer or licensee it is important that he have some sort of protection for it (i.e. utility patent or provisional patent application) but that is not the case when presenting toys or games. As a matter of fact, toys and games are almost never patented. The toy and game industry is very fast moving and they would be left behind the trends if they waited to receive patents for their products.
This does not mean that you should not conduct a patent and market search to be certain that your product does not already exist; you should.
The toy and game industry is also different in that it is a very "relationship-based" industry. The players in the toy and game industry all know one another and they operate on a high level of personal trust. To be accepted as an "insider" takes years of developing personal relationships with the decision makers in the various toy companies. It is very difficult for an independent toy inventor to "break into the club." This is NOT to say that an individual has not or cannot be the exception.
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International Help for Inventors
Australian National Innovation Awareness Strategy
The Inventors Association of Australia
United
Kingdom Inventors Association
WRTI (http://www.wrti.org.uk)
This is a new website for inventors, innovators and
entrepreneurs. It provides a comprehensive online
source of informationfor inventors, acting as a one
stop 'shop' linking to the best related sites.
