Hello Everyone! A few questions about promotion companies

[Ben_Johnson]

Hi just want to say hello first hope all is well.

How do you guys get your inventions into the public sector i.e promotion companies. Or do you just avoid them?

What annoys you about them? What would you like to see from them?

Hope all is going well.

Many Thanks Everyone

Ben Johnson

[ian_g]

I have come across a number of invention promotion companies in my line of work. In my personal view the majority of them are an expensive waste of time. Most if not all of what they provide you could do yourself with a little bit of effort and at minimum cost. You would be better off putting the money towards the cost of filing a patent application.

Before using any invention promotion company I would want to see convincing evidence of successful inventions that they have marketed in the past, together with verifiable testimonials from the inventors of those inventions. Full details of the costs involved, as well as detailed written information setting out exactly what they are going to do, when they are going to do it and how much it is going to cost is also essential.

Ian


http://www.vennershipley.co.uk

[MarketingExpert]

There is a difference! Most of the companies referred to as "invention promotion" companies do not do what the inventor "thinks" they are going to do. Nevertheless, if the inventor actually reads the agreements from these companies, they do what they tell you they will do...not much of anything of value. Mass mailing of information about your product concept with no legal protection in place is the norm. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

If you want ligitimate marketing, you will have to pay for it. Marketing represents 80% of your products' success. It is important that you ask the right questions before starting to work with any marketing company. There are companies that are very good at getting new products commercialized. Unfortunately, we hear more about those that are not reputable.

I would be careful about simply getting a patent. Many products that are patentable are not marketable. It is important to secure BOTH a patent opinion and marketability opinion before proceeding.

[ian_g]

It may be easier to obtain an opinion on the marketability of a product in the US prior to filing a patent application because the right to a patent belong to the inventor and you can disclose your invention prior to filing a patent application seeking to protect it.

In the UK and the rest of the world right to a patent belongs to the first person to file a patent application, so you have to be very careful that you don't make any non-confidential disclosures of your invention prior to filing (such as when you are trying to determine if it is marketable or not) as this could completely invalidate a later filed patent application.

Ian


http://www.vennershipley.co.uk

[MarketingExpert]

Ian is correct. Nevertheless, it is not recommended that inventors disclose the specifics of their invention prior to filing in the United States, without a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement in place. There is too much risk involved if disclosed to the wrong person. Most knowledgeable inventors understand that if they choose to disclose openly in the US they lose or jeopardize many of their rights, including the right to international patenting.

There are many ways to do marketing research and to get a good opinion of marketability without risking your right to patent or disclosing. The bigger risk is patenting and developing out a product that no one wants or one that can be easily designed around.

[LondonInventor]

There is a difference! Most of the companies referred to as "invention promotion" companies do not do what the inventor "thinks" they are going to do. Nevertheless, if the inventor actually reads the agreements from these companies, they do what they tell you they will do...not much of anything of value. Mass mailing of information about your product concept with no legal protection in place is the norm. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is..

I agree with the above - in order to aoid being sued Invention Promotion COmpanies will spell out what they will do BUT probably don't say what they WON'T do.

Inventors might think they're getting a lot more then they actually do get.

I personally would want someone promoting for me who is on a commission based on results rather thens omeone working on a fixed rate.

Marketing is a huge part of a successful new product - you can make the most useful gadget in the world but people have to know it exists, and know where to go to buy it. More recently in the UK we've seen a company called JML which has been very good at marketing certain products, with TV adverts and in store Televisions playing their demonstrations over and over to passing shoppers. I hear the deals JML offer aren't always great for the inventor but if it helps get them publicity and there is an agreement in the contract that allows them for a better deal should the product be a success or a way to sel to others the same product later on under a different brand then it might be a good way forward for some.

The inventor has to think of all the possibilities and make sure there is a way out for them if the marketing company doesn't perform as expected.

[alora]

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[Solar]

Hi everyone,

Many inventors often end up losing out with the sweet talk of many marketing companies - here is one example: I Invented the automatic waste bin, which I handed my invention information to london based INVENTORLINK PRODUCTS LTD along with near £3000, what did I get in return an interested developer based in Birmingham (lintel metals) -I HAD TO TRAVEL THERE MYSELF & sell my product with a clumsy marketing lost out as they made sure I could not make it to a full patent as I told them I need funds to carry on with patent costs (will lintel help me? -companies dont help unless it was inventorlink that requested that part of the deal prior to submitting my idea that if they find it of interest that was the deal .

Lintel looked into my idea - liked it then - knowing my funding weakness - good bye automatic bin - thanks Inventorlink for making me to travel to a company to make a mess of a good idea which is now on shelves.

So what was the near £3000 to Inventorlink for I later asked myself (mailshots?)

My advice to all new inventors never pay more than £200 -to any (mailshot company) sorry marketing company -as for trevor baylis brands I found them outstanding - I have two inventions running with them, if your invention is good then they will say its good -you can bet on that -what they say they do trust me.

[engineertony]

Hi Ben,

40 years experience with patents and stuggles as a lone inventor. I would advise against any contact with these firms, all crooks and cowboys.

Ask them for any examples of their success in promoting an invention. Why should they not want to tell you? If they can succeed then they have the means to promote your invention for free, with very clearly defined rewards for their efforts.

Can they do anything that you cannot do yourself? I have had dozens of meetings with managers, technical directors, production managers and heads of R & D departments. I find these people by phoning and asking or researching on the internet, then I e-mail or write to them or even phone them. In my experience even when the person you see agrees that the idea has possibilities he fails to convince his superiors or accounts department to back it. I had a great one with a major oil company, we chatted and e-mailled and he tried his best, only to be blocked by the IP department. A similar idea failed when the head of research and development proposed the setup to the oil field heads....they didn't like it, in spite of a working model!

Will one of these promotion firms be as vigilant as you yourself..especially when they don't have your technical knowledge of the idea, and they already have 2000 pounds of your money in their pocket! No way. Don't touch any of them.

Engineertony