Bogus Industry Contacts

An "honest invention promotion company" is an oxymoron. They don't have any genuine contacts with industry decisionmakers. Nevertheless, if you insist on interviewing one of them, the least you can do is ask them this question:

What are some brand name products your company has developed and licensed?

All successful companies have verifiable references. They should be able to provide several brand names with annual sales dollars. A company that avoids this question raises a serious red flag. Don't accept the answer, "that's confidential", because it's not! Name brand products on the market are NOT confidential nor is the patent holder's name. It is printed on every patent ever issued.

Also, if a company provides names of customers instead who have had their "names in media" or say, "the salesman is a great guy", that only proves they have no successes to report. Without verifiable brand name product successes...you're going to be sadly disappointed.