Patents , Where Does an Inventor Start?

Getting an invention off the ground has always been the big question mark for new inventors.
Who do you call? Where do you start? What do you have to do?
Let’s tackle the first question, who do you call. The first fact I will convey to you is WHO NOT TO CALL. Do not call any of the invention scam companies who advertise. You will find their ads on the Internet, TV and radio. These companies prey on first time inventors who don’t know what to do. The companies lure inventors in with hooks such as ‘Free Inventor’s Kit’ or ‘Sell Your Idea’ or ‘Wanted Inventors and Ideas’ and many others. These companies are to be avoided at all costs. All they do is take your money and promise the moon and deliver nothing – Caveat Emptor.
So, who do you call? There are several credible resources to contact.

1. Local Invention Clubs.
2. Patent attorneys (call at least 3 different ones).
3. Local Universities.

Each one of them will give you an understanding of the invention process and help you to make intelligent decisions without spending any money.
The second question above is really the same as the first. You start by contacting the list above.
The third question, what do you have to do will be based on the answers you get from the contacts you have made. Here are some of the first steps.
1. Documentation - write down in a Journal everything that you do. One page per day and date each page. Have someone sign each days page as well (More on that topic in another article).
2. Research – read as much as you can about the invention process before you invest any money.
3. Organize – establish in advance the important information that your new invention idea must answer. Here are some examples:

a. Exactly what is your invention or product?
b. Who will want it?
c. Where and how will they be able to get it?
d. How much money is needed and specifically for what (product development, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, business management costs)?
e. How much does the investor make and when does he get his money back (potential return of investment (“ROI”) and return time frame)?

Make sure you have at least preliminary answers to these questions because that is what will be asked of you from all of the people you will be speaking with during your preparation time.
As you can see - getting an invention started takes lots of planning and leg work. If you do it right you are at least giving yourself a chance to potentially succeed. If you do it wrong such as contacting and/or working with an invention scam company you are doomed to fail.
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