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[Chrissy]

I have already paid a company to complete the patent search.

I am trying to do the rest on my own due to the money that invention company's want.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I would contact companys to produce this invention and or just help me get this out there so I can make a profit.

Thank,

[ajohnpeterson]

Good Evening Chrissy:

Before you invest a substantial amount of time, energy, or capital I would really make an earnest effort to fully review your search report.  Only after you feel overly comfortable that the commercialization of your product/technology will not infringe any valid patents in your targeted geographic region would I then determine moving forward to be fruitful. 

If you have any search report related questions and/or concerns please don't hesitate to follow-up.

All the best,

Andrew

[gpw]

You might double check the scope of the search that was done. A search can have a variety of purposes.  If it was quite economical, it may not have included "non patent literature" or may have been restricted to U.S. patents. Assuming you had a novelty or patentability search done, you probably do not have everything you need to investigate the issue the previous poster brought up regarding whether or not your item might infringe somebody else's invention. That type of search is called a freedom-to-operate search. However, in my opinion there may be more immediate things to focus on that that right now. How far along are you in studying the competitive environment? The probable manufacturing cost and price point? (is one 5x the other?) In any case, I would do my homework and be careful when it comes to invention companies.

---George White
registered patent agent

[Bill Richards]

I at least inferred that you had your search done by an invention promotion company.  If that is correct, it may not be worth the paper it's printed on.  I have seen several searches lately that were way off base and which claimed the invention was patentable just to entice the inventor to spend more money with the invention promotion company.  I would strongly suggest you proceed with great caution.  (Just as an aside, invention promotion companies are not bound by codes of ethical conduct as are attorneys and agents.)  Finally, a search is just the beginning.  One must also determine the effects the art found in the search will have on the claims of your invention.

[eyepee]

there are a number of companies that can help bring your idea to life. law firms are good but sometimes costly and generally focused only on the paperwork side of things. this company is good at all aspects: http://obsidianresearch.net, give it a look. whatever you do, avoid those companies that advertise on tv with 30 second commercial spots, they're a scam.

[doug vagedes]

Hi Chrissy.  First, be very sure that your product has market appeal, that there is or would be demand for it.  Remember we always think that our own babies are smarter and more beautiful than anyone else.  Using focus groups is a good way to get some of this information.  Good and bad.

In the focus groups you should also test the price point.  Will they pay at retail what you think they should pay?  And once you know the right retail price point, make sure you can make the product, sell it to a wholesaler and still make a profit.

If retail, make sure you get the packaging right.  You only have five seconds to grab their attention and quickly communicate the features and benefits.  So spend your best dollars here.  Many bad products sell because of great packaging and marketing, while many nice products fail because of poor packaging.

As far as finding companies to produce.  Depends on what it is made of.   BUT before you show them anything, have them sign a Non-Disclosure / Non-Compete Agreement before you show or tell them.  If they don't want to sign, then find someone else.  Best of success to you.  Doug 

 

[eyepee]

^ very good points

[Gag]

Yes, very good comments

Marketing is the hardest thing, especially if you are a one product, small company (like us)

It would be good if you could get people to commit to buying your product before you produce it, although that is easier said than done.

[10YearReg]

Gotta say, it's a pet peeve of mine.

I hate it when clients ask me about marketing - I'm a lawyer.  If I wanted to pimp products, I'd be in marketing.

I had one prospective client chew up 1 hour of my time describing in morbid detail his invention.  So then, after the hour he says, can you help.  Sure I say, here's my rate, here's what'll cost you.

He says, deadpan, "but I don't have any money."