There are a number of companies that attempt to entice one to submit ideas. They charge an up front fee for promises of assistance to promote it.
I am an inventor with a number of patents (one produced significant royalties) so I have been aware of these companies for a long time.
The government has closed down some of them as being a fraud. However, they just pop up overnight under a new name. Thus it is difficult to know how many of these companies are active at any given time.
People who have an idea for an invention are often unrealistically enthusiastic and thus are easy preyed for these unscrupulous people.
Before you divulge an invention you must obtain a patent. Otherwise it is easily stolen. Theses companies do not divulge this fact to you. And even after they have taken you fee they only tell you where to find a patent attorney (you can do that yourself. See the Yellow Pages).
The next item that they do not mentioned is their “successes” in selling inventions. I asked one company to provide me with a list of ten items that are currently in stores that I could go and see. You would not believe the skillful double talk that commenced. But no list.
Patents are expensive so first bounce your idea off intelligent friends who will be honest with you (not easy for them !!). Next find a patent attorney and have him apply for a short patent which is good for one year.
This “short patent” whose official name I do not recall is something quite new.
It is much cheaper than a full patent and gives you one year to attempt to obtain interest in it. If you fail you have at least not invested in an expensive full patent. Incidentally the patent office does not judge the practicality of any invention. It can be a most idiotic idea.
Theodore Theodorsen
