The Road To Invention Should Be Free!

Like millions of other people out there, I love gadgets in all shapes and sizes!

Just looking around my desk, I’ll sprout off a few that I own: a coffee mug that is 100% leak-proof (you press a button to take a sip, then release it to seal it back up), a voice-controlled alarm clock from Germany, a pair of polarized sunglasses that allows me to see right through the water while I’m out fishing, and a famous maker’s multi-tool that has more features than I’ll ever use in a lifetime. I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a good design, so I thought I’d return the favor …

So, you have a hot new idea for something that hasn’t been created yet – one that people will come to know as a household name (ex. think about the ones you can’t live without around your home for a moment)? If you’re answering “yes” to this question, you’re not alone my friend. Each year, creatively smart people all around this globe are trying to develop and mold their ideas into future commercial success. So how are you going to turn your great idea into a multi-million dollar business amongst all that competition? Well, I sure hope you don’t get suckered in by the scam artist invention companies …

You have probably seen their advertisements on TV, usually in the wee hours of the night (one that pops into my mind shows a stupid caveman inventing a stone wheel – “real” creative if you ask me). These modern-day bandits promise the world with their free information packet, and vow to help you patent, create and market your idea through every step of the process. Unfortunately, many inventors and entrepreneurs have had to learn the cold, hard way that these companies only talk a big game, but perform little or nothing (my advice: stay away from these crooked thieves).

We imaginative types pour our souls into our projects, and are dying to hear that our creations are the next big thing that will make us a lot of money (at least I know that this is true for me and my rants and rambles). This is why it is so easy for these deceitful companies to tell us everything we want to hear, even if we don’t know that they’re just bulls@#tting us to take all of our money away (not that we have a lot of it to give, right?). Being so close to our project severely limits our objectivity to it, and while there is nothing wrong with being optimistic, we should at least be careful while dealing with the silver-tongued evil bastards out there.

Look at what these a-holes are getting away with, because of these dreams we have: Most of them will offer you a research report or market evaluation that costs hundreds of dollars. Then they’ll offer you their patenting, marketing and licensing services, which will also cost you several thousand dollars on top of that, while they lie and say that other places will charge you even more than that (some “deal”, huh?). The truth: legitimate companies don’t charge upfront fees (they make their money from the royalties of inventions they accept).

So, the first question you should ask is “What are the total costs of your services?” Then run if they give you a dollar amount! Also, you should be very careful when dealing with an invention company that offers to help you both obtain a patent and market your invention. There are many reputable companies and law firms that cater to inventors, but the sleazy ones who claim that they do both patent and marketing tend to be vultures just waiting to pick your wallet apart. As a general rule trustworthy professionals do one or the other, not both.

To be safe, always do your research first (even though it will be boring and tedious – two words creative people hate, I know). Find out if this company was ever investigated or in trouble with the FTC, Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection agency (then take what these companies reported with a grain of salt. These guys are blind to most scam artists, and only find out about a bad company after they’ve been around for a long time. Plus, the BBB’s reporting is horrible to begin with [note: they cater to all businesses – good or bad – over you). This may give you an indication as to whether or not the company is reputable, which may be all that you need as a warning.

I hope this advice has helped you … now go out and make me some more gadgets — I can’t wait to clutter my life with some more cool stuff!