Since we started InventorEducation.com inventors have asked a lot of questions about the process. Hopefully, some of these questions and our answers will be helpful to you.
1. Why would an inventor choose to work with InventorEducation.com?
For the same reasons consumers buy any service: convenience and cost. For example, in order to obtain similar services as those offered by our company an inventor would have to spend thousands of dollars and not even have control over the activity of your project.
2. Will "The InventorEducation.com People" tell me if I have a good idea?
No one at in our company is permitted to or will express an opinion about or evaluate or appraise the merit or marketability of your invention idea. If they do so, it is improper and we ask that you contact us immediately.
3. Is InventorEducation.com part of any corporate or government organization?
No; we are an independent program. Our purpose is to stimulate innovation by providing an honest and objective source of advice and information. Our services are designed to provide inventors and innovators with an honest assessment of the commercial potential of their inventions and new products. We do not assist with marketing or invention development. We are completely different than most of the invention company scam sites in that we DO NOT charge thousands of dollars for services.
4. I have a new product, not an idea or invention. Can you help?
Yes, your first step is to take the Invention Evaluation Test. It will immediately let you know if you a new or idea or that is worth pursuing or not.
5. Why are there so many misconceptions about inventing?
Most Innovators would like to see their idea commercialized. Most, though, have little business or invention experience. So it's not surprising that there are a few myths about the business of inventing that we think new innovators should be aware of. Our eBook ‘Save Your Money…To Save Your Invention’ will explain to you the myths and how to avoid the hurdles.
6. What are my chances that my product will be a success?
Industry experts indicate that about 1 product in 20 may get licensed and that only 1 in a 100 ideas make money for the inventor. Most new product ideas fail because bringing any new product to the marketplace is an extremely uncertain process, which has considerable risk and no guarantee of success. By reading the details of the invention process here, we will help you limit your risks and keep your investment to a minimum.
7. I have a really good idea. What should I do next?
Four important steps should be taken: (1) Look at the market for similar items as well as for different items that fill the same need in an alternative way. (2) Check to see if your product actually works the way you think it can. (3) Evaluate if your idea can be put into the marketplace at a price that will sell. Building a prototype will help you determine cost. (4) See if you can obtain patent protection. We suggest you start with the Invention Evaluation Test we offer for only $97. It is completely confidential and you will not disclose your idea to us.
8. Who will do my evaluation?
You will complete your own personal invention evaluation from our template. You will never disclose your invention to us for the evaluation. You will be able to complete the evaluation test at your leisure in the convenience of your home or office.
9. How long will my evaluation take?
You should be able to complete the evaluation test inside of 3 to 5 days. However, many clients have taken their time and completed in about 10 days while others were very excited and completed it in one day.
10. Where do I go for help after I get my evaluation report?
You can continue to use our services if you wish or obviously hire any reputable company to assist you. Words of caution, DO NOT hire an invention scam company. To find our more about these companies, read the details on our website.
11. Do I need to have my patent before getting an evaluation?
Absolutely not. In fact, we recommend obtaining an evaluation first. Patents can cost a lot of money.
12. Do I need to have a prototype to get an evaluation?
Not in most cases. Our evaluation system is designed to work at the idea stage. This enables you to get an objective evaluation before you potentially invest a lot of money in your project.
13. Who will you tell about my idea?
No one. We won't disclose your idea or invention to anyone outside of our staff without your express written permission, and that is only if your purchase the Provisional Patent Application program or other services from us. All of the people involved in our company have signed confidentiality statements that are kept on file. Generally only two or three people will ever see your information:
14. What other services does InventorEducation.com provide?
We provide services that are geared to inventors who do not have a large amount of capital to invest. We strive to keep your costs down especially in the early stages of your development. Once you complete your evaluation, you can use our service of ‘Patent Pending in 48 Hours™’. The cost is only $497 and that is far less than any other service or patent attorney. We also provide services to inventors that will take them through every step of the invention process.
15. How much money will I end up paying to you?
That is entirely up to you and your invention. The Invention Evaluation Test is only $97. It is quite possible that the results of the test will advise you to discontinue with your project. If that is the result, your entire investment will be only $97. If you continue the process and actually utilize all of our services, your total investment can be around $1,500
16. Will InventorEducation.com take over the development of my idea or invention?
No--You are responsible for any development and commercialization.
17. Why can't I sell my idea to someone?
Companies don't buy ideas. They license patent rights. By "patent rights" we mean the legal rights offered by pending or issued patents. If an idea is not patentable, it is fair game for all who know about it.
18. If I tell my idea to someone can they steal it?
There are two ways to lose the value in your ideas. Commercial benefits can be lost when others copy your idea and place it into the commercial marketplace before you do or in competition to you. Under international law, legal rights can be lost by merely disclosing your ideas to others without first fling for patent protection. Prior to disclosing your idea to others, file a patent application. This can be done inexpensively using the Provisional Patent Application. We offer this program for only $497 and that includes the USPTO filing fees.
19. If I haven't seen anything like my idea anywhere doesn't this mean it’s most likely patentable?
Not so! Do a professional patent search to be sure the rights to your idea are available to you and, importantly, that your product will not be infringing someone else's patent rights.
20. Do I need to make a prototype?
If you can make an actual working product, that should be one of the second or third steps. There's always room for doubt about how well something will work until it actually does. Even simple products commonly take two or three tries before they come out just right. In order to get patent protection, the inventor must be able to describe the invention well enough that someone "ordinarily skilled in the art" can practice the invention. The best way to know that the description is good enough is to have made and tested the product. On the other hand, if making the first article is going to be a long expensive process requiring outside investment, you may be better off looking into provisional patent protection on the invention before actually making something.
21. How much money can my invention make me?
It is extremely difficult to project the amount of money that can be made from any invention. There are a considerable number of cost variables and channels of distribution to complicate the calculation of your expected income stream. If you were to license your invention to a manufacturer, your return would be a percentage (2 to 9%) of the wholesale selling price of the product. If the volume of the product sold is large, the income stream can also be significant.
22. Can a typical inventor set up a company and build their own patented products?
Yes, this option is always available. However, most inventors do not have the requisite manufacturing, engineering, or financial skills to successfully run a company that could produce the patented product in volume and we suggest other options be exhausted before you begin this huge effort. If you can license the product to a qualified manufacturer, there is much less investment on your part to bring the product to market so your risk to reward is maximized.
