10 Invention Marketing Untruths That Harm Inventors

When Michelle invited me to be the first featured guest blogger on Inventor Spot, it was preceded by many a conversation between us over all the misinformation inventors receive about invention help, patenting, marketing ideas and new products

I agreed to put my blog on InventorSpot.com because it is one of the few major national websites for inventors that truly strives to provide inventors with sound and credible information. To this end, it was only natural to try to identify some of them many ‘untruths’ that I believe mislead inventors. As this series proceeds, I will work to provide you with what I believe to be a more accurate version of the issues and topics. I will begin by address them briefly in this first blog.

Truths, or Untruths about Invention, Idea Submission, Patents and Patenting, New Inventions.

Take the test. (Answers below.)

1. I need a patent first, before doing anything else. True or False?

2.I am protected if I send myself an unopened, self-addressed letter. True or False?

3.I am protected while my patent is pending. True or False?

4.I have to wait to get a patent before attempting marketing or market research. True or False?

5.Once I have my patent, I am definitely protected. True or False?

6.I need a prototype or working model in order to get my patent. True or False?

7.I need a prototype or working model in order to interest a manufacturer or licensee? True or False?

8.I need to raise funds or write a business plan in order to make money form my invention project. True or False?

9.   Somewhere there is free government money to help me with my invention. True or False?

10.  If I submit my idea to a major company, especially without a confidentiality agreement in place, they will probably steal my idea. True or False?

Let’s cut to the chase. The answer is FALSE to every question, with a few exceptions.

Inventors generally misunderstand what exactly their patent protects, how it protects, and how to use it to their advantage. You don’t necessarily need an expensive working model, or funding in order to either get a patent or interest a manufacturer.

There are exceptions, and I’ll go into this later. In my three decades of experience working with all kinds of inventors and manufacturers, I have found that many companies that are unwilling to sign any confidentiality agreement are some of the most trustworthy, and have the richest track record of paying outside independent inventors for their ideas and inventions. Conversely, some companies who will sign such agreements have a rotten record of not paying inventors for anything.

Follow this blog to get the “true” answers to these and many more questions for inventors, patent holders, and idea geniuses. If you would like more information, check out Tips for Beginners and Inventing Advice.