Don't get scammed by Invention Promoters

Hello Inventors:

It is not uncommon for inventors to contact me (a patent attorney) about patent protection after an initial interview with an invention promoter. It appears that many invention promoters are recommending inventors file a disclosure document with the USPTO for patent protection.

I do not support the disclosure document program. Instead, I support the filing of a utility or provisional patent application.

The next question I am frequently asked is whether I have any experience with the organization. I frequently do not. However, I typically advise inventors to be very careful when dealing with internet invention promotors. Sometimes these groups are believed to be preying on the dreams of inventors. Here is a warning from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

So how do you keep from getting scammed?

One way is to research the invention promoter.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office provides a public forum to post complaints against invention promotion groups. A list of complaints against invention promoters can be found here.

Another resource is the FTC itself. Here is a searchable link.

Another way to prevent getting scammed is to simply ask questions.

Under the American Inventor Protection Act (1999) the invention promoter firm must disclose:
How many inventions have been evaluated by the group;
How many inventors have contracted with the group;
How many inventors have received a net financial profit; and
How many inventors have had their inventions licensed.

Above all, the best way to protect an invention is to talk to a licensed patent attorney.

Keep Inventing!

Raymond