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[balaclavabob]

Was watching some program on inventions and the person that they were interviewing was just a house wife, who didn't really know what todo about her idea, she had already won a design competition for the idea, but she had no skills or money to be able to build it. She took her idea to some company and they helped her design, fund and build her idea.  They were a company that specialised in helping people like that.  They had in-house engineers and lawyer, they work for free because they get a percentage of the royalities once the idea has been patented.

Just wondering what you would call such a business, as I would like to find one where I live.

Thanks

[eric stasik]

balaclavabob,

Such businesses are called "invention promoters/promotion firms."

So many of these firms are engaged in fradulent, or questionable, business practices that the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 chartered the USPTO with the responsibility of providing a public forum for complaints:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/complaints.htm

If you think you have an invention, the FIRST thing you should do is spend a few hundred bucks speaking with a qualified patent attorney/agent before you do anything else. You will be better informed, better prepared, and will save yourself a lot of time, money, and trouble.

Regards,

eric stasik

[robertplattbell]

Two other resources that ALL solo inventors should be aware of are:

Inventor's Digest Magazine - they do not take ads from fraudulent invention brokers and they have excellent, well written articles (a-hem!) on various Patent topics.  Subscribe!

See:

www.inventor's digest.com

Also, the United Inventor's Association has an anti-fraud page.  See:

http://www.uiausa.com/

Good Luck!

[robertplattbell]

Sorry, the link for inventor's digest is

www.inventorsdigest.com


--Bob.