REPLY

KC,
Sounds like you may have something. You need to figure out what it is your getting IP(patent protection) on though. You might be able to protect your idea with a business method patent? However, business method patents can be a bit more tricky than a regular patent. I’ve done quite well with my SpinLabel invention. My spin label was not a new product but packaging that helped market the product it was on. I patented the method of applying my new label innovation to containers. So what I’m saying is that you need to think through what it is your protecting.

With regards to my inventRight course, the course comes with an over 200 page workbook, so you don’t have to listen to the CD’s. Unlimited phone support is also included with our course, but using phone support may be difficult or expensive if you need an interpreter. I’d be happy to communicate with you via email instead if you decided to buy the course.

Keep Inventing,
Stephen Key inventRight

Just came up with an idea to exploit a product that is not really advertised and would be a no-risk proposition to companies that I’m targeting, especially since there wouldn’t be anything new to create or manufacture besides labeling for the product. It’s not private labeling, just a different way for the company or manufacturer to market the product. I would like to refine my sales and communicating skills before I start contacting the manufacturers and would be interested in your DVD’s, but I’m deaf, so they wouldn’t be much use. However, I’m still very interested in learning from your experiences and would be interested in any other offers you may have besides the DVD’s that would be of use for me. Thanks. -KC

RE: your question

Your idea is about 5%, protection(Patent,copyrights and trademarks) is about 5% and the remaining 90% is selling the idea. The more qualified individual that should review your idea is the manufacturers you are selling to. Manufacturers that have been in the business 10, 20 or 30 years are the best people to get advise from. Advise or opinions from people or companies that aren’t being asked to put up money are questionable at best.

Keep Inventing,
Stephen Key

I have a couple of questions to present to the table. One is what TERRY ASHTON posted, so can anyone answer those question presented by ASHTON.

What if your idea is in a field that would take years of schooling, to actually come up with a prototype to sell. For example, LCD flat screen TV’s , I and I’m sure many, many others had this idea but how many of us can actually build a TV. How can an idealist sell a idea , like LCD TV’s but has no clue and would take years to get a clue about the product design, get a license ?

Also, what if your idea doesn’t fall under ” improving on an existing invention ” ? What if your idea , is something that, if you worked for the company would get you a promotion but it’s nothing new, just hasn’t been done before ? For example (not my idea ), the person who had the idea to put team logos on towels probadly worked for the company not a Licensor . Or what if it’s just a remake, like bring back clear jelly sandals ? Can these ideas be licensed ?

Can someone please answer these questions ? These question seem to never get answered in any forum ? Please help !! Thanks in advance for any response !!

John

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Hi John,

I haven’t explored this much and have turned down those that have made proposals thus far. I’m always open to proposals, but I can’t feel good endorsing most products I’ve had come my way.

Hope that helps, Tim

I stumbled across this site last week and congratulate you on some very interesting articles.

But I have a specific question. I have been thinking laterally and dreaming up ideas/fixes/solution etc to the point of severe frustration. In the 80’s I was in the computer games biz so have quite a bit of experience in licencing and in the 90’s I took out patents so I understand that side too.

My question is: Not every idea is patentable. Nor can it have a registered design or copyright attached to it. So how does one approach a company (a potential licensor) with an idea that cant be protected, and how do you avoid being ‘ripped off’ by the company just ‘taking’ the idea.

I would add I have done many many ‘confidientiality agreements’ etc etc but in reality any company with a half decent lawyer would have no problem circumventing these.

So do you have a ‘simple’ flowchart for how each idea is ‘licensed’ dependant upon its level, if any, of protection

Thanks Terry

Don’t some (many?) companies just take your idea and run with it, expecting that you won’t have the resources to go after them?

From my experience the home business industry is a great way to tap into a proven system and begin marketing. Be weary of the “automated systems” you will have to funnel lots people into these systems, so just b/c you dont have to talk to people, there are other big hurdles. People will never buy big ticket items with out some level of training and mentorship. The business I found allows me to earn a maximum of $14k per customer, and yes it is not uncommon for them to purchase all of my products at once. While there is a benefit to doing small testing, in the end there may not be a big pay off, and that time and energy could be better harnessed using an already existing model, that has big payouts. I am glad I did what I did, because my ideas are too niche and not mainstream enough. The best thing I could think of is an e-book on how to be a club DJ, but why market to an audience that loves pirating copyrighted material.

Just my thoughts, Thanks Tim!

Eric Dick