It never fails. We typically end up with a client or two that show up at our door every month after having spent money on an invention promotion company, sometimes large amounts of money, with little or nothing to show for it. People are drawn to these companies because they are unsure how to begin the process of applying for a patent, or are unsure whether a market exists for a product.
While some invention promotion companies may provide a legitimate and valuable service, many do not. The inventor is often charged a substantial amount for "canned" reports that provide little information of value to the inventor.
If you are so inclined to use an invention promotion company, at the very least, conduct a little research on the company BEFORE you contact them. To assist with that research, a list of complaints against these types of companies is maintained on the USPTO web site. Complaints dating back several years are maintained, as well as links to other helpful web sites. Another resource to use is the Consumer Alert area of the Federal Trade Commission web site.
Alternatively, inventors may want to contact the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC). WISC is a non-profit organization sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the University of Wisconsin-Extension Small Business Development Centers, and the U. S. Small Business Administration. A number of services are provided by WISC. These include:
- New product assessments
- Distributor assessments
- Current or potential customer assessments
- Licensing partner searches
- Competitive intelligence searches
WISC will also assist with a preliminary patent search to identify art related to the invention.
WISC does charge for the services provided, but the fees are not unreasonable for the services conducted, and the products provided are specific to the invention (not canned reports). The services provided by WISC can either be used prior to or simultaneous with the filing of a patent application. WISC can help an inventor or small business decide whether a product is worth pursuing and in making other well informed business decisions.
Additional information can be obtained at the WISC web site.
Of course, you should also consult with a patent attorney. Typically, you are not charged for an initial consultation, and the attorney can provide you with an approximation of costs that will be incurred during the patent process. If you would like to review general information about the patent process, an overview is available here.
