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Inventing & Patenting Guide
Sponsored by:

Books: 
  • "Patent it Yourself" - by David Pressman 
  • "Inventing and Patenting Sourcebook" - by Richard Levy 
  • New! 
    "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing In on Your Inventins" - by Richard Levy  
    Web sites:  
  • Brainhead.com - Info on patenting and invention 
  • Library of Congress - Info on product patenting 
     
    What to remember 
  • Most ripoff invention services use a three-step program to steal money. They offer a free evaluation of the inventor's product through an 800-number, take $500 or so to fund "research," and later request another $5,000 to $6,000 for more extensive "market research." 
  • One such company was forced to disclose that less than 1 percent of the ideas people submit ever make it to market. 
  • Turn to the local bookstore or library for legitimate advice on how to bring inventions to market. 
  • It's important to create a working prototype of your idea, because companies won't buy ideas from sketches. 
  • Your best bet is to find an invention broker to propose your idea to a company. 
  • Non-profit inventors clubs, which can be found in many cities, also are excellent for sharing ideas and providing encouragement.




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    This week's poll
    Which of these recent rip-off alerts shocked you the most?
    Campuses taking kickbacks from health insurers.
    AT&T settling a lawsuit over 3rd party billing charges.
    Online loans coming with interest rates as high as 2,000%.
    Scamsters pretending to collect funds for flood-relief charities.
    All of the above.
    None of the above.
    see previous polls


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