Service Name: Patents
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"The patent system 'added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius, in the discovery and production of new and useful things.'" -- Abraham Lincoln
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-- --> Patents - Programs that grant official property rights to inventors which give them the exclusive privilege of making, using, and selling their inventions for a term of years. The IASL will aid you in your research and development.
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-- "U.S. Patent Statistics Summary Table, Calendar Years 1963 to 2010, 3/2011 update" --
=================================================== -- "What the USPTO does for Independent Inventors"
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-- Pilot Program for Independent Inventors --
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--> > How long does patent protection last?
"For applications filed on or after June 8, 1995,
utility and plant patents are granted for a term which begins with the date of the grant and usually ends 20 years from the date you first applied for the patent, subject to the payment of appropriate maintenance fees [only] on the utility patent. Design patents are granted for only fourteen years."
--> "The patent system 'added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius, in the discovery and production of new and useful things.'" -- Abraham Lincoln -- "U.S. Patent Activity, CY 1790 to Present" -- July 13, 1836 - Patents are now numbered.
--> STARTING OUT: First, go to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) @ --> www.uspto.gov --> After reaching this web page - click-on "Site Overview - New Users" and then - (second line from the top of this new page) - click-on "Inventor Resources."
--> Voila` ----
Definition: "Application (for patent):
Papers comprising petition, specification, drawings (when required), one or more claims, oath or declaration and filing fee, whereby an applicant seeks a patent."
--> Read everything within this web page and then link to suggested other sites, such as:
--> "Databases Patent Grant and Patent Application Full Text and Full Page Images" -- --> "Accelerated Examination" --
-- --> "708.02 Petition To Make Special [R-6] - 700 Examination of Applications" --
-- "Accelerated Review of Green Technology Patent Applications" --
On December 8, 2009, the USPTO launched a pilot program to accelerate the review of green technology patent applications. Patent applications are examined in order by filing date. The Green Technology Pilot Program was implemented to take those patent applications that pertained to environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy or greenhouse gas emission reduction and advance those applications to the front of the line for expedited examination.
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-- "U.S. patent approvals slow despite efforts to improve | cleveland.com" --
-- "USPTO Strategy and Reporting" --
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-- "Searching" -- "Search Templates Home" -- --> "US Patent Full-Text Database Manual Search" -- "Patent Search Patent Classification Rules Summary under 37 CFR and Manual of Patent Examining Procedure MPEP" --
-- "37CFR Patent Search and Workflow Automation Software for CFR 37 and MPEP US Patent and Trademark Rules Compliance" --
-- -- Prosecution --
-- "The process of obtaining a patent is called patent prosecution. It consists of preparing and filing the patent application, then filing responses and amendments to the objections of the patent examiner. Patent prosecution will result in either the issuance of a published patent or the rejection or abandonment of the application." -- "November 1, 2007 USPTO Update" --
-- "consolidated_rules.pdf" -- -- --> "Patenting By Technology Class, Breakout by Organization"
-- "Index to Manual of Classification of Patents"
-- "Patent Classification Home Page - Internet" --
"The Patent Office will determine the proper classification. If you are e-filing, there is a place for you to suggest a classification, but this portion can be left blank."
-- "Electronic Filing System, EFS - Patents" -- "Examination Guidelines for Determining Obviousness Under< 35 U.S.C. 103** [R-6] - 2100 Patentability" -- "1481 Certificates of Correction - Applicant's Mistake [R-3] - 1400 Correction of Patents" --
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"I will just say that all inventors should ask themselves what they want to accomplish with a patent. If being an inventor is all that matters then go for it! If making money is the goal, which it typically is, make sure you do your homework and consider whether it is a wise financial investment and commitment of time to seek and obtain a patent." -
Gene Quinn,
President & Founder of IPWatchdog, Inc.,
Patent Attorney --> Go to: "The Entrepreneur Network" --
TENonline Organization by Ed Zimmer -- -- "The Legal Side of Inventing" -- -- "Patent Searching on the Web" -- -- "Patent Searching For Students Or New Inventors" --------------------------> > --------------------> > -- -- Free Patents on-Line -- -- "Search Templates by Class" -- -- "Patent Searching and Inventing Resources" --
-- "US Design Patents - Index of Classes and Description" -- "If Patents Come with that Acquisition, Be Sure to Look Under the Hood | Thompson Hine LLP" -- -- "USPTO Initiates New Program to Reduce Pendency and Improve Patent Quality -
First Action Interview Pilot will enhance information exchange between applicant and examiner
and promote early resolution of outstanding issues" --
-- "Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) - Fast Track Examination of Applications" --
-- "Extension of the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and the UKIPO (United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office)" --
-- "Patent Prosecution Highway Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and European Patent Office" -- "Process for Obtaining a Utility Patent" --
--> >
COPIES OF PATENTS are furnished by the Patent and Trademark Office at $3.00 each; PLANT PATENTS in color, $15.00 each; copies of TRADEMARKS at $3.00 each. Address orders to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA., 22313-1450, or click here for online ordering. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> >
--> > "US Patent and Trademark Office - Online Shopping Patent and Trademark Fees" --
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ibm.com changed its name in June, 2001, to delphion.com -->
"Register for Delphion Basic" --> This is Delphion's FREE Search. -->-- "To Become a Delphion User..
-- "Enhancing Your Search with the Delphion Integrated View" -- Go to and read "Derwent Collection Highlight" -- Continue to: --> "Delphion's Derwent Searching" -- --> "PATENT AMENDMENTS AND PROSECUTION HISTORY ESTOPPEL UNDER FESTO" --
-- -- PATENT PENDING:
[1]35 USC §287(a) reads as follows: "Patentees, and persons making, offering for sale, or selling within the United States any patented article for or under them, or importing any patented article into the United States, may give notice to the public that the same is patented, either by fixing thereon the word "patent" or the abbreviation "pat.", together with the number of the patent, or when, from the character of the article, this cannot be done, by fixing to it, or to the package wherein one or more of them is contained, a label containing a like notice. In the event of failure so to mark, no damages shall be recovered by the patentee in any action for infringement, except on proof that the infringer was notified of the infringement and continued to infringe thereafter, in which event damages may be recovered only for infringement occurring after such notice. Filing of an action for infringement shall constitute such notice.." -- "Patent Fact - Inventors often have more ideas than money. - Selling on Commission" --
-- -- PATENT RESEARCH WARNING -- --
-- "The Cost of Improper Patent Marking" --
-- "Small Toronto firm wins $290M suit against Microsoft - Moneyville.ca" --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> > -- -- FIXING THE SYSTEM -- --
The USPTO has a flaw that should be fixed. That flaw is the way their Utility Patent Maintenance Fees are collected.
By law, the USPTO cannot notify the Patent holder of an upcoming maintenance fee payment. He or she must keep track of this themselves.
The Patent Law is now set with the Patent owner maintaining his rights of ownership to a Utility Patent by paying the USPTO on the 3rd, 7th, and 11th year Anniversary of his Patent Issuance. It becomes delinquent six months thereafter with a Penalty of $65.00 upon submission.
The Patent Office will penalize beginning the day after the 3-1/2, 7-1/2 and 11-1/2 year for not making the payment on-time. The USPTO will also cancel the Patent Protection if the Patent Owner doesn't respond with payment by either the 4th, 8th or 12th year. They have higher penalties for those re-instatements.
All the USPTO needs to do is set-up a 'reminder file' on their computer address files. The "Maintenance Fee Reminder" would be sent automatically, reminding the Patent Owner to pay on-time.
- Positive Results will come of this:
1. A continuous uninterupted flow of Maintenance Fee income moving sooner to the USPTO.
2. Saving an embarrassing Loss of Patent Rights to the Patent Owner, when discovering that he has a dis-empowered patent.
3. Using the flawless technology tool of the business computer that would be utilized to remind us to save money on this maintenance surcharge by paying the Maintenance Fees on-time.
____ Robert Scheinkman
[Example of Expired Patents for Unpaid Maintenance Fees]
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"Keep in mind that "All things are possible; not all things are practical --
wisdom lies in knowing the difference"."
--- --- --- --- ---
"Knowledge is power." --- ---
--
Sir Francis Bacon, Religious Meditations, Of Heresies, 1597
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-- Follow through to the USPTO MUSEUM -- "Electronic "Portrait Gallery" Brings History of the U.S. Intellectual Property System to Life" -- "USPTO Museum Store" -- # # # #
-- "Discovery News: Material World: Michael Jackson Had a Patent" - USPTO Opens Exhibit of Michael Jackson's Patent and Trademarks M.J.
-- --> > "Knowledge is Power" ---- -- "There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from deepest source of destiny." -- Schiller -- "Patent Search | IPWatchdog.com" --
"Inventors and entrepreneurs who are looking to cut costs and do some of the preliminary patent searching on their own will want to take a look at the United States Patent Office patent search page."
-- "Manufacturing Costs - What will your invention cost to produce." -- -- "High Tech Startup Valuation Estimator" -- -- Opportunistically speaking: "When you bark loud enough, someone will feed you breakfast."
:-)
Inventors with a patent may be able to pay off their credit card
debt at zero interest:
The Small Business Administration started last June [2010] lending up to $35,000 to established, for-profit small businesses that need money to pay back existing debt, including credit card debt. There is no fee, and the interest rate is zero. The SBS guarantees 100% of the bank loan.
The program was known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program is now known as ARC, America’s Recovery Capital.
What’s the catch? Possibly the definition of “existing business.” If you incorporated, formed an LLC, or can prove your sole proprietorship or partnership startup date was prior to spending significant money, such as preparing and filing your patent, you may qualify. Even starting a bank account in a business name may satisfy the SBA. These are unknowns at this time.
Inventing as a business rather than a hobby:
If you’ve read the above article you have a clue as to when a business begins in a legal sense. An LLC, Limited Liability Company, or an S-Corp (“small” corporation) is a form of sole proprietorship or partnership that requires a statement of your business’s purpose. A statement such as, “to create, develop, and commercialize innovative products” covers inventing and patenting. It may be too late for you to capitalize on the tax advantages of being in business prior to your last invention expenses. But if you’re a true inventor, you’ll certainly come up with more inventions in the future. Note: “small” corporation pertains to the kind of corporation, not its size.
The IRS has limits on the number of years you can run your business as a loss before it considers it a hobby. Consult the IRS rules on this. But once you are established as a business in the eyes of the IRS, expenses such as patent searches, patents, prototypes, legal and accounting fees, consulting and mentoring fees, attendance at trade shows and seminars, etc., are legitimate as deductions. And your business losses can be used as an offset against other income.
Licensing your patented invention on your own:
Sending a letter and a copy of their patent is the way many inventors hope to land a licensee. This seldom is effective. One reason is that patent is not a selling document. It seldom shows a flattering drawing of your invention. More important, unless you have obtained, signed, and returned your potential licensee’s submission agreement, your submission will end up in the legal department, and may never get into the hands of the Marketing Director or President, the only two persons you can rely on for a fair assessment.
Until next time …
Best Wishes,
Jack Lander
www.Inventor-mentor.com
# # #
Jack Lander is a mentor to inventors, as well as a seasoned inventor with 13 patents and always working on more. His most commercially successful patents are assigned to U.S. Surgical Corporation. Jack served as President of the United Inventors Association and is presently the Vice President of the Yankee Invention Exposition. He has been a feature columnist in Inventors' Digest magazine for the past 14 years writing the "Lander Zone." He is a published author of "How to Finance Your Invention or Great Idea," "All I Need Is Money," and more than 50 special reports for inventors. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you, and his newest book is entitled: Marketing Your Invention: a complete guide to licensing, and to marketing and selling your invention. His web site is www.Inventor-mentor.com
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-- "InventorsEye | July 2010" -- "Julia knew that trademarks and patents would clearly demonstrate her claim to the ideas she had developed. Without that protection, anyone could wait to see if Julia achieved market success with her product, and then produce it in competition with her without fear of her legal claim to the idea."
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-- Read This First! --
Congratulations! You have purchased an extremely fine device that would give you thousands of years of trouble-free service, except that you undoubtedly will destroy it via some typical bonehead consumer maneuver. Which is why we ask you to PLEASE FOR GOD'S SAKE READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU UNPACK THE DEVICE.
YOU ALREADY UNPACKED IT, DIDN'T YOU? YOU UNPACKED IT AND PLUGGED IT IN AND TURNED IT ON AND FIDDLED WITH THE KNOBS, AND NOW YOUR CHILD, THE SAME CHILD WHO ONCE SHOVED A POLISH SAUSAGE INTO YOUR VIDEOCASSETTE RECORDED AND SET IT ON "FAST FORWARD", THIS CHILD ALSO IS FIDDLING WITH THE KNOBS, RIGHT? AND YOU'RE JUST NOW STARTING TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, RIGHT??? WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST BREAK THESE DEVICES RIGHT AT THE FACTORY BEFORE WE SHIP THEM OUT, YOU KNOW THAT? !!! -- "New law could wipe out handcrafted toy makers --
A new regulation that took effect February 10, 2009, that's intended to guarantee children protection from lead exposure may put some indie toy makers out of business." -- -- "Discover Board Games Get Your Toy or Game Idea to Market" --
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-- -- Calling all Toy and Game Designers! --
-- The Toy and Game Inventor Event Conference will be held on November 18th and 19th, 2011, where you will meet, mingle and learn from our industry's top executives in manufacturing (Hasbro and others), retail (ToysRUs and others), marketing (Richard Gill and others), consultants (Richard Gottlieb and others) and media (Playthings and others) from here and abroad. Licensing and retail deals will be consummated. www.tagie.net
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-- Chicago Toy & Game Fair -- November 19th, 20th - 2011
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-- "Time Picks 15 Smartest Toys - 2011-02-24" -- [___][___] Dr.Toy -- - - Hogwild -- - "Gamebird"
-- "Gamebird - Agent Services" -- invention zoo -- "Toy Industry Association, Inc." -- "One Big Focus Group: The Chicago Toy and Game Fair - Out of the Toy Box - Blog on Playthings" -- -- "Baby and Kids" -- -- -- "We Have Met The Enemy" -- "Help Us Save Our Patent System --
-- -- Professional Inventors Alliance" -- -- And challenges to your mind with: --> "Creativity & Inventive Problem Solving" "Books & Software for Inventors"-- "Contents of The Great Idea Finders site"
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Remember, Inventors "You only have one time to give a good 'first' impression." That Time is NOW !!
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-- "Perhaps the most famous of all design patents is the Statue of Liberty." -- "Liberty Enlightening The World" by Auguste Bartholdi -- Patented February 18, 1879, Patent No. 11,023 -- A wonderful landmark -- "I lift my lamp beside the golden door." -- "Amazon.com: The Patent Writer: How to Write Successful Patent Applications" -- -- "Get the Picture? Why You Need a Patent Illustrator" -- -- Do You Have a Great Idea and Need a Graphic Drawing of It? -- Robert Watel is your man; an illustrator who has spent his career developing and graphically communicating design ideas. -- He works with you in helping explain your design intent to others with his illustrations. -- -- Watel Design Communication offers the following services: - INFORMAL SKETCHES - FINISHED ILLUSTRATIONS - COMPUTER GENERATED PERSPECTIVE VIEWS - Taken from any point of view, they are useful during the final design review. - INFORMAL AND FORMAL PATENT DRAWINGS Remember, Inventors "You only have one time to give a good 'first' impression." -- Contact: Design Engineer, Robert Watel of Watel Design Communication for his help. --
[A Master in Architecture] 314-821-9285 Wateldesign@sbcglobal.net -- "SmartDraw - The World's Most Popular Business Graphics Software" -- -- "Patent Illustrating: Simple Steps to Reduce the Costs" -- --COTSIS CAD - "Digital Patent Illustration" -- -- "Amazon.com: How to Make Patent Drawings: A Patent It Yourself Companion (9781413306538): Jack Lo Patent Agent, David Pressman Attorney: Books" --
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To: President@inventorsconnection.org
From: norm
Subject: 3D Modeling and Animation Services
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 3:35 PM
XYZ Creative Group is a 3D design team formed and driven by the need to provide everyday people and entrepreneurs with passionate high quality content.
Did we mention edgy and influential? We take pride in providing our clients with such quality and competitive budgets by maximizing and organizing their resources from the beginning to the end of the project.
Here's what we can do for you: 3D Modeling, Visualization, Animation, Product Modeling, Visual FX, Technical Drawing and Prototype Physical Model.
You can visit our website:
www.xyzcreativegroup.com
If you have questions or comments about us or our capabilities, we would love to hear from you.
Normand Alvarez
XYZ Creative Group
305-283-9735
norm@xyzcreativegroup.com
www.xyzcreativegroup.com
=============================================== -- Whatever you may want or need from the U.S. government, you'll find it here on this website,
FirstGov.gov.
-- You'll find a rich treasure of online information, services and resources. -- "Business.gov - Official Business Link to the U.S. Government" -- "Pathfind" --
-- You will also find that the U.S. Government goes beyond the common sense. --
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"Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius." --
An Wang
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--> "Thomas Alva Edison was granted his first patent on June 1, 1864, and averaged one patent application every 11 days between 1869 and 1910." He was America's most prolific inventor, receiving 1,093 utility patents, -- an unbroken record until 2001. -- Edison promised that he would turn out a minor invention every ten days and a big invention every six months. He also proposed to make inventions to order. Before long he had 40 different projects going at the same time and was applying for as many as 400 patents a year." -- New Patent Record Holder! -- "In 1973, Edison was the first inventor inducted into the "National Inventors Hall of Fame" -->-- --> "Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy"
-- Let's Fully Consider Going Foreign -- --> Everything you do has significance. You have to 'go with the flow and create from the soul.' -- You have to crawl before you walk before you run: --> Start moving -->
-- Do everything in moderation. When you go too fast you may end up being boxed in and getting nowhere? Think, before locking yourself inside a room with no exits
-- "Polaroid Technology Fades Out - washingtonpost.com" -- {I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder :} -- PLAN AHEAD --> Create a Business Plan and an "Invention Diary" -- also known as an Inventor's Notebook. -- Go to: --> invtntbk -- -- -- "Success is based on imagination plus ambition and the will to work." -- Thomas Alva Edison
-- -- "Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius." -- An Wang -- INVEST IN COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION
-- "Small businesses will realize that innovation is the fundamental driver of economic opportunity, greater globalization, job creation, improved business competitiveness, and thriving. Social networking and media are merely the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to technology, anyone with a good idea, anywhere in the world, can now launch it in a heartbeat and for relatively little expense. More collaborative innovation will take place in the coming year, with further emphasis placed on orchestrating resources, reaching outside of an organization for new ideas, and fostering interaction, whether it involves your own participation or not." -- -- "Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council
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--> INVENTORS: You'll say, "There's so much to read!" -- "Well, folks, you aint seen nothin' yet!"
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-- -- "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." -- Thomas Alva Edison --> No matter what you may read elsewhere, the ultimate informational resource is the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)-- "Prior Art in the Field of Business Method Patents - When is an Electronic Document a Printed Publication for Prior Art Purposes?" -- -- "Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Property Desk Reference" -- -- -- Footnote: -- "Delphion expands patent information coverage to WIPO and European patents" --> --> Go to: "General Information Concerning Patents" -- "The Legal Side of Inventing" -- -- To get a better grasp of what you may be reading, you need a resource that will explain it in words that are non-legalese and mostly understandable. Our top recommendation to where that is found is within the book, "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman, published by Nollo.com
[-- Information on the Twelfth Edition. ]
-- Updates with "How To Use A Lawyer?" -- It is now in its Thirteenth Edition, since April 2008, and found in bookstores, libraries and on-line. -- "Thoroughly updated, the 13th edition provided the latest U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rules and forms. It covers how to file a patent electronically with the USPTO, details about combination inventions, marked changes in the EFS electronic patent filing system, and other changes to technical filing rules." [Editor's Note: >> INVENTORS: A newer Patent It Yourself 14th Edition may soon be in the works with updated 09/26/2011 USPTO "First to File" changes?] -- "What constitutes infringing of a patent."
--> "A way to monitor infringement is using Google Alerts. With Google Alerts you can setup keywords that describe your product. Google will automatically search the internet with your keywords. If a keyword is found, Google will send you an email with search results." -- a hint from Matt Yubas -- "PRODUCT COACH:/ Home - How To Get Your Invention Into The Market" -- "Expired Patents Do Not Mean Expired Protection" -- "Provisional Patent Applications: Quickest Way to "Patent Pending" --
--> INVENTORS: You'll say, "There's so much to read!" -- "Well, folks, you aint seen nothin' yet!" -- Keep Reading -- Log-on below to read a sample of "How To Find The Markets For Your Invention" by Jeffrey Dobkin
.. And then keep reading more. - Never stop learning.
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Don't understand how lo-o-o-o-o-ng it takes or how much it costs or how risky it is
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Missouri Technology
-- "The Top 5 Things Inventors Do Wrong | IPWatchdog.com" --
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To: Robert Scheinkman, Director/President IASL
From: Product Coach Matthew Yubas
Subject: Survey Results - Listing an Invention for Sale or License
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2009 9:49 PM
Hello Robert,
Ten days ago I sent a survey asking for experiences listing an invention for sale or license on the web.
The results are:
Matt Yubas Survey
To Your Success,
Matthew Yubas --
1-858-233-9639
Texas: 3124 75th Street, Lubbock, TX 79423
California: 9853 Pacific Heights Blvd. Suite K, San Diego, CA 92121
matt@ProductCoach.com
Free Invention Guides
http://www.ProductCoach.com/invention/free-guides.html
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From: inventorscouncil@inventcinci.org
Subj: PARTICIPANTS RESPONSE TO EXERCISE FOR "DREAMS TO VISIONS" PRESENTATON ON FEB 5, 2008
SURVEY SAYS! The following are the answers to the exercise administered by Debbie Heuer of Talent Springs at our Inventor's Council February 5th meeting. We thank Debbie for a very interactive and stimulating evening. Even those who were not present to participate in her "Dreams to Visions" presentation can appreciate and identify with the results of the exercise.
1. List 7 characteristics that are frequently shared by people who describe themselves as "inventors":
Creative
Adaptable
Patient
Rebellious
Unique (weird)
Independent
Curious
Imaginative
Interested in "What if...?
2. List 7 characteristics that are frequently shared by business people who are called upon to help the inventor:
Cash (focused)
Knowledgeable
Trustworthy
Market Savvy
Positive
Aware of marketability/ROI
Integrity
Hardworking/determined
Flexible
Practical Problem Solvers
What I look for in friends--someone to help me to get from A to B?
Motivating
Visionary/Intuitive
3. List 7 frustrations that are "common" to inventors:
Costs
Time (it takes to go through the process)
Patents
Business Plans (finding the information needed)
Too Many Ideas
Resources (finding)
Getting to market
4. List 7 frustrations that are common to business people when dealing with inventors:
(They think) you want to steal their idea
Investors are too emotional about their inventions
Don't understand business needs
Don't understand how lo-o-o-o-o-ng it takes or how much it costs or how risky it is
They're so damned unfocused..oh look, a squirrel
Can't understand why others can't see the vision
They are so non-linear
They talk too much
They're paranoid that business people will steal from them
They don't understand it takes a team
They don't pay attention to the realities of business
They want too much money for their idea
-- 3-10%
Obviously, in a couple of instances participants just could not stop at 7 answers!
- A Brief History of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office -
- On April 10, 1790, President George Washington signed the bill which laid the foundations of the modern American patent system.
- The U.S. patent system was unique; for the first time in history the intrinsic right of an inventor to profit from his invention is recognized by law. Previously, privileges granted to an inventor were dependent upon the prerogative of a monarch or upon a special act of a legislature.
- Thomas Jefferson was the first Patent Examiner.
- In 1790, the cost to obtain a patent was between $4 and $5.
- The first U.S. patent was granted on July 31, 1790, to Samuel Hopkins of Pittsford, Vt., for an improvement in "the making of Pot ash and Pearl ash by a new Apparatus and Process."
- Mary Kies of Killingly, Conn., was the first women to obtain a patent. In 1809 she received a patent for a way to weave "straw with silk or thread."
- During the War of 1812, the British burned Washington. The Patent Office was spared because Dr. William Thornton, Superintendent of Patents, pleaded with the British Commander not to "burn what would be useful to mankind."
- Daniel Webster eloquently explained the value of invention to the nation's economic well being when, in a speech in Congress in 1824, he declared that invention is the fruit of a man's brain, that industries grow in direct proportion to invention and that therefore the government must aid in progress by fostering the inventive genius of its citizens.
- On December 15, 1836, the Patent Office was completely destroyed by fire. Lost were some 7,000 models, 9,000 drawings, and 230 books plus all records of patent applications and grants.
- During the Civil War, the Confederacy established its own Patent Office which issued 266 patents, a third of which concerned implements of war.
- 1880 - 1890, one of the greatest decades of invention of all time: The trolley car, the incandescent light, the automobile, the cash register, the dynamo, the pneumatic tire, smokeless powder, transparent film, electrical welding, the cyanide process, the steam turbine, the aluminum manufacturing process, and the electric furnace are all invented or introduced.
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