Listen weekdays from 1-3pm ET
(No audio? Try our help)
Recent shows | More media

Listen Live: Mon-Fri 1-3pm ET

Inventions & Patents


Helpful Guides and Links:
Discuss it: General forum

Getting your idea or invention patented

Books:
• "Patent it Yourself" - by David Pressman
• "Inventing and Patenting Sourcebook" - by Richard Levy
•"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing In on Your Inventions" - by Richard Levy

Web sites:
Library of Congress - Info on product patenting

What to remember
• Most ripoff invention services use a three-step program to steal money. They offer a free evaluation of the inventor's product through an 800-number, take $500 or so to fund "research," and later request another $5,000 to $6,000 for more extensive "market research."
• One such company was forced to disclose that less than 1 percent of the ideas people submit ever make it to market.
• Turn to the local bookstore or library for legitimate advice on how to bring inventions to market.
• It's important to create a working prototype of your idea, because companies won't buy ideas from sketches.
• Your best bet is to find an invention broker to propose your idea to a company.
• Non-profit inventors clubs, which can be found in many cities, also are excellent for sharing ideas and providing encouragement.

7 items
Entrepreneur invents tire "snow socks," inspired by mom

Entrepreneur invents tire "snow socks," inspired by mom

Here's some inspiration for entrepreneurs: A man took an idea he learned as a child, from his mom, to create a cheap (and profitable) alternative to snow tires.

Two inventors develop ways to stop robocalls

Serdar Danis and Aaron Foss have won a competition hosted by the Federal Trade Commission that offered a large bounty for solving the robocall problem. Federal agencies get 200,000 complaints a month about robocalls. That’s gigantic. And they haven’t been able to come up with any way to stop the ...

Inspiration for Entrepreneurs: A childhood idea turns profitable

A man took an idea  --that he learned as a kid from his mom-- and turned it into a highly profitable idea! Clark read a story in the Detroit News about a kid who grew in the snowy climate of Michigan. To prevent slipping on ice, his Mom had come ...

The new Apple watch: timepiece + tech

The new Apple watch: timepiece + tech

Tired of fumbling for your phone to check your text messages? Apple's new product will turn an old school clothing accessory into a high-tech wonder.

Solve the robocall problem and win $50,000

Solve the robocall problem and win $50,000

Nobody likes to receive robocalls on their phone. Now there's a new challenge: Earn $50,000 -- and the adoration of your fellow citizens -- by coming up with a solution to stop them!

Inventions & Patents

Recommended Books:   Patent It Yourself - by David Pressman  Inventing and Patenting Sourcebook - by Richard Levy  The Complete Idiot's Guide To Cashing In on Your Inventions - by Richard Levy       Web sites:   U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - Complete information on patents and the ...

More people turn to invention during extended unemployment

We are in a time where people who never experienced unemployment during their adult lives are now left jobless. Yet even in these trying times, people are dealing with adversity and making things happen. Some are using their idle time to pursue ideas they've always had for inventions. The number ...

7 items
 
 

Clark's Latest Tweets

 
 

© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad ChoicesAdChoices.