The Definitive Guide for Inventors
Features the PATENT AND NEW PRODUCT MARKETING WORKBOOK that takes you step-by-step
through:
• Protecting Your Idea (choosing the right steps)
• Patenting (how, when, and why)
• Selecting Manufacturers (that will do the best job)
• Finding the Best Markets (and expanding opportunities)
• Developing a Strategy and Market Plan (that fits perfectly into business plans)
• Presenting Your Invention to Companies (without getting ripped off)
• Negotiating the Best Deal (and how to hire the best advisors)
Table of Contents
Forewerd xiii
Introduction 1
The Climate for Independent Inventors 2
Why Did I Write This Book? 3
What Is in This Book? 3
The Meaning of Success 4
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 1) 6
Chapter 1 Commercialization 101 11
Moving from the Drafting Table to the Store Shelf
The Dilemma of Perceived Value 11
Is the Clock Ticking? 13
Prototype, Patent, or Market: Which to Do First? 13
Research Your Industry: The Real First Step 14
Is Licensing Your Invention the Way to Go? 16
Marketability versus Licensability 19
What Do You Have That You Can License? 20
Whom Can You License To? 22
So What Does It Take? 23
Keep It in Perspective 24
Case Study: Tire Technology 25
Chapter2 Timing Is (Almost) Everything 31
Formulating Your Patent Strategy and Protecting What's Yours
Just What Is a Patent? 32
How Necessary Is a Patent? 32
Safeguarding Your Proprietary Property 32
Patent Searches 34
Provisional Applications 39
Shop Rights for Employers and Institutions 40
Patent Partners 42
Some Strategies for Patent Holders 44
Foreign Patenting 46
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 2) 47
Chapter 3 Merket and Industry Research 51
Your Ticket to Free Expert Advice and Lasting Business Relationships
Just Talk to People 51
Market Position 55
The Consumer Product Pipeline 56
Pull-Through Sales 61
Mail-Order Markets 62
Interviewing for Industrial Inventions 64
Trade Associations 66
Trade Shows: What's in Them for You? 67
Test Marketing 74
Why Interviewing Works 78
Anticipated Costs and Timetable 78
What's Next? 79
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 3) 80
Chapter 4 Time To Pickthe Lineup 83
Qualifying and Contacting Appropriate Licensees
The Smooth Success 84
Picking the Lineup 86
Making Contact 90
What Decision Makers Can Tell You 91
Disclosure Agreements 97
Your Own Disclosure Agreement 99
Patent Strategy, Continued 104
Your Next Steps 105
Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 1) 107
Chapter 5 The Plan Comes Together 113
Submitting to Companies and Forming a Commercialization Strategy
A Few Words about Strategy 113
What to Submit 115
Initial Responses from Key Decision Makers 118
Determining Your Invention's Market Value 120
Foreign Licensing and Patenting 124
Structuring a Licensing Deal 126
Joint Venture Opportunities 128
Life after Rejection 130
Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 2) 133
Chapter 6 Brass tacks 145
Negotiating Your Compensation and Other Contract Terms
Royalties 146
Some Thoughts on Negotiating 147
The License Contract 148
Negotiating Contract Terms 149
Contract Terms 151
Other Terms 167
Who Will Determine the Terms and Conditions? 169
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 4) 171
Chapter 7 Victory Through Teamwork 175
When to Use Professional Help and How to Find the Best
Help with Patents 175
Help with Commercializing Your Invention 177
Help with Patent Infringement 180
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 5) 186
Conclusion: The End of The Rainbow 195
Afterword: The Future for Inventor's Agents 197
Appendices 199
Appendix A General Information Concerning Patents 199
Appendix B Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries 216
Appendix C Invention Evaluation Criteria 221
Appendix D Risk/Reward Ratio Chart 225
Appendix E Simplified Steps: A Quick-Reference Flow Chart of the Invention
Commercialization Process 229
Appendix F Disclosure Agreement 232
Resources 235
Government Contacts 235
Government Programs 236
Patent Searching and Patenting 240
Private Organizations 241
Publications for Inventors 245
Research Resources 245
Small Business Resources 249
Special Resources 251
Trade Shows 253
Glossory 255
Patent and New Product Marketing Workbook 267
Index 354
About The Author 361
376 pages, Paperback