Comments on: How to Rent Your Ideas to Fortune 500 Companies: Part II (Plus: Hacking Japan Tips)

By: Loïc

Loïc — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Hello Stephen and Tim,

First a big thanks for all your advises (from both of you) it’s exactly what I needed to know !

Second a question for Stephen, I have an idea about a product for Ikea ( and already have the sell sheet done, I have a master degree in digital arts so it helps me a lot ! ) but in this case they already have a design and product developpement team. So my question is do I have to contact this team or the marketing team to have more chances to succeed?

Best regards,

Loïc

Ps : I’m not from Usa, I’m from Belgium and there is no patent pending here but there is an alternative to protect your ideas. For the person interested in it -from Belgium, Luxemburg and Netherlands- you can find info at this Url http://www.boip.int/fr/ideeen/introduction.html

By: Marcel

Marcel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:01:13 +0000

Hello Tim, Stephen,

If you cannot get any protection for your idea, for example because it is a new service, how do you start discussions with the potential licensee?

What you want to avoid is a very interested discussion, no revenue for the licensor and a licensee implementing a free of charge idea.

So what commitment between the parties can be arranged prior any discussion?

Thanks, Marcel

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:19:54 +0000

I’m going to first say that finding this blog was like finding a diamond in the mountain of garbage information that is the internet… great info!

This is my situation. I have my idea all thought out and all of its benefits written down. I have the sell sheet (I just so happen to be a graphic design student) all done. I have my $100 for the provisional (not submitted yet). My questions; How and when do I get my sell sheet into the hands of the right person at whatever manufacturer I contact? There are about 5 or 6 benefits to my concept… how do I not tell the manufacturer everything about my idea to get that second call but get them hooked enough to call me back?

By: Stephen Key

Stephen Key — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:17:32 +0000

Johan,

I would learn about business method patents. They’ve come under fire lately in court, but they are still a valid way of protecting a method of doing something.

One of the most famous business method patents is “Amazon one click” checkout.

Google it to find out more.

-Stephen

By: Johan Mattson

Johan Mattson — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:29:08 +0000

Hello,

I’m wondering if it’s possible to license a method of doing things, a website concept. I’ve noticed a certain website concept, an entire industry in fact, that hasn’t changed in a long time and I have a way of potentially improving it. Is it possible to license this idea, as it isn’t exactly a product.

Any thoughts on this?

Best regards,

Johan