|
Want all your questions
answered? Want to learn about product design, patenting, manufacturing and
marketing? What to do? Where to go? When to do it? How to protect your
ideas? How to file patent applications for only $80? Want to know how to
find marketing and manufacturing partners? You've come to the right place.
Visit our
bookstore for special offers on up-to-date
invention and patenting materials. |
Innovation Insight!
 Innovation
Insight is a Q&A column for inventors and innovators. Use it to answer your
specific questions about inventing, patenting, manufacturing, marketing and
licensing. The better questions will be posted for others to read.
Your questions will be answered by Bob
DeMatteis, and with the help from other experts as may be required. Please
make sure your question is not answered in the FAQs before
sending Bob your request. Thanks...and we wish you the best! Now go out and
invent a better world!
..........J.D. asks:
Tell me, what key ideas can you tell me would
become good ideas to file for patents?
This is a good question. First of all, look to "create new markets"
instead of "looking for increased market share". Look for product
opportunities that can be realized in the near future...not the distant
future. Look for those things that can be converted from an old technology
to a new one. For instance, from paper to plastic, wood to plastic, steel to
plastic, old marketing methods to internet methods, mechanical devices to
chip driven devices and so on. Seek some opportunities in some fields and
industries that are not dominated by huge mega-giant companies such as those
in the auto industry (the automotive after-market is OK), oil industry, computer hardware fields,
sophisticated electronics and so on. There is still a lot
of opportunity is areas such as packaging, the internet, simple electronics,
sporting goods, toys, children and baby goods, tools and many, many others.
Invent only in a field in which you enjoy (after all, you have to fun or you'll
lose interest). And last, I recommend that you don’t proceed on any
major development of an invention unless you have a qualified marketing
expert on your team who is ready to sell it…one who is in the field of your
invention. Best wishes, Bob
..........R. Brown asks:
I have an invention that should increase sales
of a certain product but it is not possible for me to manufacture and market
this product myself. I would like to go to one of the manufacturers and
suggest it to them. If I do, should I approach one of the smaller companies
or one of the larger ones? Who should I contact?
Ronald, yes, you'd be wise to submit it to some of the smaller companies
in the industry. The larger ones tend to have an NIH attitude, in other
words, "Not Invented Here". with sufficient development you can send them a
New Product Summary. It should not
reveal any inventive matter, only a list of general features and benefits.
But they must be real factual benefits, not pie in the sky. Contact the
company’s president or National Sales Manager (not a new product director).
Sales potential will drive their interest. When they have expressed an
interest ask them to sign a confidentiality agreement. Make it one tailored
for invention development like the one in the From Patent to Profit Resource Guide.
Best wishes, Bob
Have a question? Send it to Bob
via email:
Disclaimer: We have made every
reasonable effort to provide reliable information, but the authors,
editors and publisher do not assume responsibility for the validity of any
materials contained herein, or the consequences of their use. The authors
are inventors--not patent attorneys--and the content of this web site is
not to be considered legal advice. If you require legal advice, seek the
services of an attorney. |
