Please submit links and articles helpful to inventors to: Jake_Vandermeide@msn.com
HELPFUL INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND LINKS
We do not endorse or take responsibility for any of the information, links, advice or services referred to on this website. Please use it responsibly. This page contains valuable links to many local and national sources of frequently requested information. We have tried to organize them into categories for you convenience. Many links cover several issues so they may appear in several of the categories below. Also click here for many more great links located in the Forum. In addition to the forum and the links below you will find valuable information and advice on our Video and Audio Recordings page. If you know of or need a helpful link, information or would like to submit an article please email Jake_Vandermeide@msn.com.
GENERAL OVERVIEWS AND GUIDES OF THE INNOVATION PROCESS
Inventing 101 A free on-line basic course from the NCIO about the inventing process with sound advice and numerous helpful links http://www.inventionconvention.com/ncio/inventing101/index.html
From Invention to Innovation This great free handbook is designed to guide inventors through the commercialization process—from concept to engineering prototype, to production, to market penetration. This process requires inventors to answer questions about the market, competition, business structure, and legal and regulatory requirements. The lessons learned from over 400 inventors have been incorporated into this handbook. Print it out! http://www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions/pdfs/fromi2i.pdf
A brief but good overview of information for beginners. http://inventors.about.com/od/firststeps/a/lesson_money.htm
The Licensing Decision This free document is designed to help small businesses and independent inventors better understand intellectual property licensing. It provides straightforward, clear descriptions of the major issues facing inventors and small firms including making decisions to license for business reasons, finding a licensee, and negotiating a license. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions/pdfs/thelicensingdecision1.pdf
Innovation by Carlson & Wilmot is highly recommended reading by Vaughn North. This book gives you the critical insight on how to evaluate your market and invention. You need to understand these market evaluation concepts. http://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Five-Disciplines-Creating-Customers/dp/0307336697
MIT's INVENTOR'S HANDBOOK http://web.mit.edu/invent/h-main.html
Video for young students on the basic inventing process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuXmpY3UNos
Learn from experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17jPH1LdbI
http://www.uiausa.com/
Subscribe to Inventors Digest, the only professional published magazine for inventors of all levels and fields and a terrific publication. Now with 12 great issues a year that will keep you inspired, educated, informed of opportunities and up to date on changes in the law. http://www.inventorsdigest.com/
KEEP GREAT RECORDS, Learn how to correctly record and document your ideas, inventions and the problems you are working on with these helpful guides. Records can save you or break you as an inventor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventor's_notebook http://inventors.about.com/od/inventormagazines/bb/log_book.htm
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/inventing/invention-notebook/
FAQ (frequent asked questions by inventors) http://www.asktheinventors.com/faq.htm http://www.inventorsdigest.com/ABCinventing.aspx
Video "13 Things Every Inventor Should Know" about the business end of inventing http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2469110490333006644&q=utahinventor.org&2Ffont>
SCAMS AND OTHER WAYS YOU CAN LOOSE YOUR MONEY OR YOUR INVENTION (A dreamer and his/her money are soon parted - If they ask for your money they really don't want your invention, spend your money last and only with well recommended professionals having a track record you have researched extensively!)
This site is full of good information and not just about scams (don't fail to click on the left side menu and it's many other pages are full of very good and helpful information) http://www.inventorfraud.com/
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/inventing/invention-submission-companies/
http://www.uiausa.com/obj/PDF/UIAFactSheet.pdf
Inventors beware http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/invnalrt.shtm
IP - Intellectual Property, Patents, Copyrights and other forms of protection (What is IP and what can I do to protect and maximize mine)
General information about Patents, Copyright, Trademarks and much more. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html
Know the details, obligations, options and restrictions before you decide to file a patent application of any type. Do not rush into a patent or any disclosure of any type. What you do today may limit or prevent what you can do later. You may limit or totally lose your rights to a patent by your own actions. Be very aware of time limits and deadlines and the total future expenses you commit to just by starting the process. Wait until you have all the resources you will needed to do it right before you start or you may end up with nothing of value and be out what money you did spend too! Always ask and fully understand the downsides, dangers, total cost and deadlines of what you start. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#contacts
Frequently Asker Questions from the USPTO http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/faq.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k01Fb_gvcL8
Maximizing your company's IP value http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6564840328882261453&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=5
Patents for inventors series (he is not very exciting, but is precise and correct and you will get a very clear understand of the law) http://www.youtube.com/user/InventionPatenting
Software copyrights, patents and more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FGWSIrHMmM
17 ways to protect your idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17jPH1LdbI
The value and rights of an individuals ideas and why we have patents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwTpnWO7ea0
GETTING STARTED RIGHT (things you should know and do first)
Patent Searching Every inventor should learn how and do their own Preliminary Patent Searches before paying for any professional service. The knowledge you will gain by doing it yourself first is extremely important. It is one of the first steps you should do. Many successful inventors do it before they even try to solve a problem, invent or generate ideas. Patents of today and the past exist to help the inventor of today and tomorrow create the future.Their information is a great wealth of knowledge to an inventor in any field. A good basic in-depth search can take many days or much longer in an active field of research. Remember if you didn't find anything that really relates to what your working on - than your searching in the wrong place, your probably using the wrong terminology. The words you are using may be different that the words the industry uses and almost certainly they will be different than the words use by Patent Lawyers and the PTO. You can contact the PTO for help identifying the right words (search terms and classes and subclassifications). Always keep a detailed record of what you searched and all references to the information so you can easily come back to it later. Keep a good list and result notes so you don't have to repeat efforts or get lost in all the information. Make copies of any similar or interesting patent or other sited information you find in your search. Patents contain other references besides older patents - be sure to search all referenced sources (books, reports, journals, examples) in any, even remotely similar Patent. Do the job right the first time! The links below make it easier than ever before for the inventor to do more themselves before calling and paying for professional searching services. Always get in-depth professional patent AND market AND prior art searches completed before beginning the patent application process. When paying for a search ask for copies of ALL related information (know what your getting, it's scope and limitations and get an estimate or quote on the price). It will cost to create such a valuable file of information but it will serve you well to know technical field well, the history of the industry you are working in and the history of it's development it's challenges and in what direction it is headed in, how fast and why. Successful inventors learn and do what unsuccessfully inventor are unwilling to do. You want to become an expert and you don't want to make mistakes. You want to learn a whole lot more than just is there already a patent covering your idea. You also want to identify which ideas have the best technical, manufacturing, cost and market advantages and why. It may not be yours and in that case you would be foolish to pursue it. You can't know who is going to be the winner if you don't know who else or what else is in the race. Get the whole picture, collect contact names and start files of key people and companies you should know about, much of this information can be found in Patents. Each patent contains a collection of key reference information including a list of other related Patents and Inventors and the companies that licensed that invention and may consider your invention valuable too. In Utah we have the wonderful Marriott Library and the Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) in it t the University of Utah where you can search Patents and an enormous collection of other government generated documents (The Government Document Section) and data bases containing on a endless list of topics and technologies just waiting for you to tap into. I highly recommend you first watch this great video (click here) on Patents and how to do a Patent Search. Walk-ins are welcome but for helpful personal assistance, make an appointment and contact: Dave Morrison, Librarian and PTDL Representative 801/581-8394 dave.morrison@utah.edu Don't for get to search the large general collection of books and journals for mention of prior art that has not been Patented. Ask a librarian to help you locate the likely areas that the topic of your invention would like be located at, in addition to searching the computer. Finding the right shelf is very helpful and the check the index of each book.
http://inventors.about.com/od/hottosearch/a/Patent_Search.htm
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/patent/patent-searching/
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/patent/patent-search/
http://www.uiausa.com/Default.aspx?page=244
This brief video supplies basic instructions on how to use the USPTO website and conduct a "classification search" which is absolutely essential, as some patent application intentionally or unintentionally do not use the common key words that you might use in a word search. Quick and easy "Key word" search may also be done with most patent search engines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQmuE5kzkzo
Googlepatents is a true joy, easy to use and brings the patent drawing images right up very fast. http://www.google.com/googlepatents/about.html http://www.google.com/advanced_patent_search
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/
http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
Do-it-yourself guide to patent searching http://www.inventorsroundtable.com/files/patentsearch12.pdf
OTHER PRIOR ART SEARCHES Prior art can come from almost any public or semi public source such as the Internet, books, catalog, new papers, ads, movies, historical records and many can be found on the Internet. Search wide and long.
http://www.highbeam.com/
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/inventing/prior-art/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vL3iet83Ro
There is a tremendous amount of prior art in unusual collections outside of the Internet and the USPTO that are seldom searched before the patent is issued but are searched when the patent is challenged in court. Industries experts like professors, writers and hobbyist have private collections and files on many topics and they have a lot of knowledge of the history in their field. They can be consulted before you file for a Patent. Asking an expert early in your search can save a lot of time. You can even ask a patent examiner what other places you should search besides patents for prior art in this field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdQRSc0mqxA
208,048 articles from 278 leading technical and science journals. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/stream?pageId=2488
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/competitive-intelligence-search.htm
Tip: Using Google, Yahoo or other search engine, type in your key words and then click on image or pictures search results tab at the top. You can quickly see what may be similar or interesting giving you a quick over view but not a complete search as many documents have not pictures or picture associated with your search term so use this only as a quick over view search method. Also search using the other search result buttons like "news" "groups" and "blogs".
Don't forget to search NASA and other government source, include sources outside of the USA. See Federal sources and resources below in the "Federal Government" section
BUILDING PROTOTYPES This a critical multi-step process--problems can be discovered, improvement developed, many things will only be learned if you make and test your idea using numerous prototypes. Prototypes reveal the unobvious and so much more. There is a wide range of methods to fabricate a prototype, some are very expensive and some cost very little. Tens of thousands of prototypes have been made on the kitchen table or in a garage using nothing more than basic hand tools (think of the old-world watch makers) you can do it to. Modern prototyping and manufacturing methods are wonderful but can be expensive - but not always. Use what best works for your situation but don't spend large amounts of money on your first prototypes, you will need to make changes. If you can't make it yourself try to watch the steps it takes for someone else to make it, you may be able to simplify the design or the manufacturing steps and eliminate some or much of the cost of manufacturing it and turn an very expensive design to manufacture into a very profitable one.
http://www.uiausa.com/Default.aspx?page=208
Watch numerous short video episodes of prototyping methods, manufacturing and engineering at this great site http://engineeringtv.com/blogs/
Material selection; learn the property characteristics of many common manufacturing materials. http://machinedesign.com/BasicsOfDesignEngineering/717/Materials.aspx
BYU Rapid Product Realization http://www.westcampinc.org/pages/initiatives/rpr.php Dr. Brent Strong director, http://www.et.byu.edu/groups/strong/
How to make a low cost plastic prototype ( $30 video) http://www.plasticprototypes.net/
Invention Evaluations To be successful you must learn your invention's strengths, weaknesses, legal and safety issues--especially from the viewpoint of others. It is of course critical to determine if it is worth developing and spending you times and resources on - most idea are not. You must identify the right markets and discover their obstacles to entry. What will help the market see your invention's strengths and value. A impartial 3rd party evaluation is always highly recommended. You may have a great invention but may not have a marketable product or process. Such evaluations have a low cost and should be done early in the development process and certainly before you file for a patent. http://inventors.about.com/od/patentdrawing1/a/assessment.htm
Truly a must do! Here are a few low cost services that have been highly respected and trusted for years.
http://www.innovationinstitute.com/
http://www.uiausa.org/Default.aspx?page=129
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/
Other forms of evaluating an invention or product.
Patent Cafe "do it yourself" computer based evaluations system $200 http://evaluation.patentcafe.com/
SAFETY, IMPORTING, EXPORTING AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Many new regulation must be complied with or you product can be confiscated and distroyed regardless if you import or export - know the rules everywhere you do business and seek expert advice before you go into production.
Consumer Product Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov/
make sure to go here http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Accredited testing labs http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/labapplist.aspx
Regulated products http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/reg.html
UNDERSTANDING AND DEFINING YOUR INVENTION (What can you claim and what can't you claim legally. Understanding what it's true worth and it's place in the IP landscape)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6283176705322498186&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=9
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PATENT ATTORNEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHnFAVO8naQ
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2469110490333006644&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
LICENSING YOUR INVENTION
The Licensing Decision This free document is designed to help small businesses and independent inventors better understand intellectual property licensing. It provides straightforward, clear descriptions of the major issues facing inventors and small firms including making decisions to license for business reasons, finding a licensee, and negotiating a license. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions/pdfs/thelicensingdecision1.pdf
The same document as above just from another free download source both from The Licensing Executives Society (45 page guide, both source take a while to download) http://www.usa-canada.les.org/pdfs/TheLicensingDecision.pdf
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/licensing-partner-search.htm
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8484395479156109465&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=20&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
GETTING IN THE DOOR AND SELLING YOUR INVENTION TO MANUFACTURES
AUDIO SEMINAR "Get your foot in the door...and make millions!"
http://www.inventright.com/freeaudio112807.html
GOING INTO BUSINESS WITH YOUR INVENTION The decision to go into business, to be both an inventor and entrepreneur can be a complicated one, with many issues and responsibilities that come with being an entrepreneur, starting and managing a business. Different skills and mind sets are required for each position and activity and very few people can do it all. You will also have to decide your business legal structure.
Video "13 Things Every Inventor Should Know" about the business end of inventing http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2469110490333006644&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Getting Funding For Your Invention SBIR, STTR, SBA, ANGLES, VENTURE CAPITALIST, BANKS, GRANTS, LOANS and other sources of funding you should consider. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3917305905328364625&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=4
BUSINESS INCUBATORS IN UTAH http://www.tco.utah.edu/start_up_links.html
ZIONS BANK Business Resource Center http://www.zionsbank.sbresources.com/SBR_template.cfm?DocNumber=PL12_2200.htm
Utah Small Business Development Center Their training classes and counselors can take you through the many issues and steps. You can do it if you get the right help. http://www.slcc.edu/slsbdc/resources.asp#BusinessFeasibility
Wayne Brown Institute (WBI) Brad Bertoch President http://www.venturecapital.org/ In Utah this is where you start when your getting ready for funding for you innovation business.
Utah Manufacturers Association http://www.umaweb.org/
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/competitive-intelligence-search.htm
http://www.uiausa.org/Default.aspx?page=129
From Invention to innovation This great free handbook is designed to guide inventors through the commercialization process—from concept to engineering prototype, to production, to market penetration. This process requires inventors to answer questions about the market, competition, business structure, and legal and regulatory requirements. The lessons learned of over 400 inventors have been incorporated into this handbook. Print it out. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions/pdfs/fromi2i.pdf
BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS TEAM To start, run or expand a business successfully requires many skills. Experience has shown that having the right team members can be just as or even more critical than having the right product or technology.
http://www.slcc.edu/slsbdc/resources.asp#BusinessFeasibility
http://www.entrepreneur.com/growyourbusiness/howtoguides/article83618.html
FINDING FUNDING - WHERE AND HOW TO GET IT
Getting Funding For Your Invention SBIR, STTR, SBA, ANGLES, VENTURE CAPITALIST, BANKS, GRANTS, LOANS and other sources of funding you should consider. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3917305905328364625&q=utahinventor.org&total=25&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=4
MIT Inventors handbook http://web.mit.edu/invent/h-main.html
http://www.grants.gov/
http://www.sbirworld.com/
http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/
USTAR http://www.ustar.utah.gov/index.shtml Ted McAleer, Executive Director
SBIR grants http://goed.utah.gov/initiatives/clusters/SBIR/index.html
The Wayne Brown Institute (WBI) Brad Bertoch President http://www.venturecapital.org/ In Utah this is where you start when your getting ready to raise money, learn how and what to present to Angles and Venture Capitalist and is it right for you and your project.
WIN A CONTEST GET MONEY AND RECOGNITION http://inventorspot.com/taxonomy/term/133/9
RESOURCES IN UTAH FOR ASSISTANCE
Marriott Library and the Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL). Dave Morrison Librarian and PTDL Representative 801/581-8394 dave.morrison@utah.edu
BYU Rapid Product Realization http://www.westcampinc.org/pages/initiatives/rpr.php Dr. Brent Strong director, http://www.et.byu.edu/groups/strong/
UTAH SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH http://goed.utah.gov/initiatives/clusters/SBIR/index.html
Utah Renewable Energy and Environmental links http://www.utahcleanenergy.org/
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY http://www.invention-protection.com/ip/publications/docs/Border_Check_Recording_Your_Intellectual_Property_With_US_Customs_Border_Protection.html
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) http://www.uspto.gov/
United States Copyright Office http://www.copyright.gov/
http://www.invention.smithsonian.org/home/
http://www.grants.gov/
http://www.sbirworld.com/
http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/
NASA can help - one of NASA's missions is to assist manufactures and inventors with technical challenges and they also have technologies that are looking for someone to use. http://ipp.nasa.gov/
NASA Technical Reports Server: This site is a wealth of technical information on a very broad range of subjects http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp
Also go here for more information sources than just published NASA reports: http://www.sti.nasa.gov/STI-public-homepage.html
The Department of Defense has tested a wide range of products and conditions http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/search/stinet_search.html?q=
DOE Scientific and Technical Information http://www.osti.gov/bridge/basicsearch.jsp
Science.gov is a gateway to over 50 million pages http://www.science.gov/
Inventors Book Stores http://www.inventorhelp.com/store/index.html http://www.inventorsalliance.org/index.cgi?books http://lindsaybks.com/
Book List http://www.invention.smithsonian.org/resources/biblio_adult_readers.aspx
Thomas Register of Manufacturers http://www.thomasnet.com
The National Inventors Hall of Fame http://www.invent.org/
Lemelson-MIT Program http://web.mit.edu/invent/
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Dave Sorensen, Director of Utah MEP http://mep.org/
Find technologies that can be turned into products. http://www.nttc.edu/technologies/TechnologySearchResults.asp?type_id=1
Utah's Universities Technology Transfer Offices Brigham Young University University of Utah Technology Transfer Office Utah State University Weber State University
INVENTION CONTESTS
http://inventorspot.com/taxonomy/term/133/9
U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Avoiding early pitfalls inventors can make | 
