Quite funny actually, there is a definite ebb and flow to the world of IP, and the world at large for that matter. I had been thinking for the past week about a ripping article to write on the follies bound for inventors who use invention promotion companies. I have been beat to the punch though this time, and therefore I will provide you some links to the stories which I have found which were written within the last few days, as well as resources provided by the Federal government about these operations.

That's what I mean by "ebb and flow" evidently these places have it coming this week, and I truly hope some sort of act of God occurs allowing the great number of them to spontaneously combust. In the US, honorable business practices are a key to success in the long term. These companies do not play by the rules, and they do not have honorable business practices. It is therefore the right, and as I see it, the duty of the IP community to tear them apart, limb from limb.

Although these articles mentioned the folly of pursuit of such avenues, I am going to feel free to add my own two cents here, as I have had personal experience with a variety of these companies, through my own inventive efforts, and other inventors who have contacted me pleading their case against these entities. Personally, I don't think any of these articles went far enough. So I shall unleash my savage nature for a couple of paragraphs and let you know exactly where I stand on this issue.

So many inventors have been swindled by these organizations, that even a legitimate "invention development firm" has a very difficult time making it without someone casting dispersions upon their character. Now to say that there are legitimate firms out there may be a little far fetched.

Let me state for the record that there are two types of these firms, this fact may have been somewhat overlooked by the rest of the resources mentioned at the bottom of this blog. The first, and I believe the most hurtful to inventors is the huge corporation type of structure. A company like this advertises on TV, where all will notice that advertisement. An inventor without a clue is liable to try one of these places at least once. "Free initial evaluation" is what the add says. This evaluation however is complete baulderdash. I swear, you could send one of these places an idea for a cork that plugs the blow holes of whales, because there are too many whales running rampant consuming the earths resources and someone needs to exterminate them, and of course it's the best thing ever devised by mankind or so they will tell you.

Now this should speak for itself, however many inventors are easily blinded by the brilliance of their ideas. You might try it for yourself. If you really want a good laugh, call up one of these places, get their "free inventors kit" or some such blaspheming halder hooie, and draw up the stupidest thing you can imagine. I mean make it ridiculous. Re-invent the outhouse, and make it more painful to use, perhaps a spiked toilet seat would fit the bill, maybe a bottomless bucket, or a piece of wax covered paper you can't write on. Maybe a high intensity light set specifically designed for the purpose of blinding humans, or a sharp poking stick called an eardrum popper, perhaps the toaster is over rated, maybe a sogger would be more appropriate. You have heard of crust less bread? How about bread less crust.

Anything obviously not useful in the slightest, and wait for that phone call from them, which you will get. If you have ever dealt with one of these places, you know the phone call I'm talking about. After you submit your useless invention, their "evaluator" will give you a call singing the praises of your useless idea. Just for fun why not send me a transcript of the call, or perhaps record it, I WILL post the audio files. :) After you are through having your fun with the guy on the other end of the phone, tell him the Lone Inventor sent you.

This is their game, so why not play with them instead of being played. The typical response is guranteed positive, regardless of your invention's merit. The next thing they will hit you up for is the money to do an utterly useless "market evaluation" or some such thing. These services can be obtained legitimately for a fraction of the price, and they will actually give you a fair and balanced opinion of the marketability of your invention.

Once phase one of operation "rob the inventor" is complete, they will hit you up for more fees, and more fees, followed by you guessed it, more fees. In the end, the inventor has spent a substantial amount of coin to play an expensive game with a card shark. Many inventors are taken for amounts in the tens of thousands of dollars and receive no useful services for these companies whatsoever. Do not be fooled. Getting an honest market evaluation is again cheaper, within the $50-$500 range, and is well worth it. Talking to a patent attorney and providing actual protection for your invention is also much cheaper than their so called "patenting fees", and actually has some basis in reality.

The second type is the "free ride" type. If we like it, we'll pay for it! Yea right. These places are usually much smaller in size and scope, which does add to their legitimacy, however it is also their size that makes them useless to most inventors. They may actually want to produce your invention, but they simply don't have the time or money to do it. These may be the more legitimate end of this business, but that's like saying the "less sinking end" of a sinking ship. These firms charge an initial fee, supposedly, if the product is "approved" you get a free ride to fame and fortune. I have never even heard of someone actually making it this way. There is no free lunch, nor is there free fame and fortune. I will stand by that statement until proven wrong.

The sad thing is, these invention development firms prey off first time inventors, or inventors who are otherwise destitute to some degree as it is. They think it's cheaper to use these "services" as opposed to getting actual help from reputable people, this is a costly and time consuming miscalculation. The fact is legitimate help for your invention can be obtained for a fraction of the price, and you might actually have something to show for it at the end of the day.

Do not use these firms, unless you like to take long walks off of short piers. If you do, and find that all those directing you away from them were wrong, well, I'll eat my hat. Actually, I'll buy a new and distasteful hat, and you a hat as well, and I'll eat them both.

Here are the articles I came across that have mentioned the follies of these methods, and the pain and suffering associated with the lack of understanding about them. I wish you luck. And again, if you decide to have some fun with these guys, I sure would like to hear about it.

RJ Riley's Invention Promotion News Page
http://www.inventored.org/InvProNews

PHOSITA's Caveat emptor! Invention Promotion Companies www.okpatents.com/phosita/archives/2005/02/caveat_emptor_i.html

Stephen M. Nippers Blog about independant inventors, and invention promotion scams
http://nip.blogs.com/patent/2004/04/independent_inv.html

The FTC site about invention promotion scams
www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/invent.htm