Yahoo sues Facebook over patent infringement, and it is primarily related to online advertising, Google purchased a large patent inventory and Apple, Google and Samsung all seem to be in the patent infringement fray. But what is all the fuss about and does it have any meaning for individual inventors? The stakes are enormous if an individual inventor can cash in.   Read the rest of this entry »

Wal-Mart recently ran a promotion for inventors, get on the shelf. They promised to give the winner $12,500 and helping getting their product manufactured and if pricing and quality worked out, they would put the product on the shelf. Over 4,000 people submitted their inventions where people voted on them.  Go to http://www.getontheshelf.com see more about the contest and the 4,000 products that were entered.
These are the 10 finalists. Read the rest of this entry »

Private label manufacturers make products for other companies to be sold under the buying company’s name. Inventors frequently pursue private label sales to build a quick sales base or when the market resists a one-line company. For example, most inventors won’t have much luck selling a painting accessory to mass merchants such as Wal-Mart. Rather than accept defeat, inventors often find another company that does sell to mass merchants.They then offer their product to that company to sell under its own name. The mass merchants may then be willing to buy your product. Read the rest of this entry »

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Often inventors need to raise some early investments to help pay for prototypes, patents or other items to help get the project off the ground. You have three goals: one, avoid trying to write a 40 to 50 page business plan, two, to show you are serious about taking your product to market, and finally, you need to show your idea has a real chance to succeed. Read the rest of this entry »

For more than 25 years, QVC has been devoted to supporting promising inventors and cultivating new ideas.  This year, QVC is extending its commitment to an even greater level with the creation of the QVC Sprouts program. The goal of QVC Sprouts is to discover products, both large and small, that have one wondering, “How did I ever live without this?”  Submissions are currently being accepted by visiting QVC.com and using the search term “QVC Sprouts.”  Read the rest of this entry »

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All inventions start with inspiration about something that needs improvement, or just  someone coming up what they think people would like.  The Java Jacket, that short two or three inch corrugated piece that keeps the coffee cup from being too hot is an example of a problem that someone decided to solve.  The roller blades are an example of someone coming up with an idea that people will like.  The inventor thought it would be great  if people could practice ice skating all year long.

The question is now how to move from the idea to an invention that will really work.  Thomas Edison’s famous quote is that “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” and that principle also applies for inventions. So just how do you go about applying that 99% perspiration?  This article is about phase one of the process, going through the process to determine what is the best first approach to deliver your solution. This phase is really a five step process. 1) understanding all aspects of the problem or opportunity from an end-user point of view; 2) doing a search of available technologies; 3) brainstorming; 4)Choose your best choice; and 5) look for your second best choice. Read the rest of this entry »

Mail order catalogs have long been one of the top ways for inventors to sell their products. Catalogs can be used to accomplish several goals:

• They let you sell to a small market that can’t be reached in any other way.

• They help you create initial sales momentum. Often, retailers are reluctant to handle a product until it has some degree of sales success.

• They can be your primary sales channel. Read the rest of this entry »

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