Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

i personally am suspicious of this entire industry - too many bad stories out there.  talk to a local patent atty.

-------------------------

James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

Thanks so much--very good to know.  I live in a very small town in northern Maine.  Where would I go for a good patent attorney?  Again, many thanks.

tbeaulieu!

this is so funny that you ask about Invention Home!...i am working on a licensing deal with a company i was matched up with through them.....i have had a great experience so far....but a little about me...i started my own business www.CinchEaze.com, developed the invention and brought it to market, and then realized that i wanted to go bigger, and i lacked the funds....and frankly, i can do, but seriously dislike the "operations side" of running a business....so my thought process was along the lines of "contract out" what i don`t like to do, and focus on what i love doing, sales, marketing and pr......and for me, licensing made sense financially.....yes, you can go find companies yourself, like i did, i have two companies i found on my own, and now i am trying to figure out which company to go with for a licensing deal.....i liked using Invention Home because i was not tied into a contract.....and i would never go with a company who ties you into a contract that you can not approach companies on your own...and just to let you know, i am a very skeptical person, and was hesitant about using any invention company, so i did my homework on BBB, asked for references, and asked some experts in the community....and you should do this when looking for an invention company.....

Go by the saying, "if it`s too good to be true...it probably isn`t"  I`ve been in the film business for 20 years the story is the same everywhere.  Business managers and agents watched my back in my younger days.

You can find a manufacturer yourself.  A lawyer is not going to do that for you.  There are many companies that would love to make your product (whatever it is), it`s how THEY make money.

If you NEED a patent, legalzoom is a great option.

Don`t go throwing money at lawyers at the drop of a dime.  There are a lot of resources on this site.  Take your time and be thorough.



-------------------------

Louis Kiss
http://www.grabitpack.com
the ULTIMATE Gadget Holster
http://www.clinchwallet.com
The most PRACTICAL wallet available

yes,  i agree with louis....most lawyers will not help you with any other aspect of your business except either setting up your legal entity for your business, or write up a patent....but aside from that, most stay away from getting involved in any other aspect of your business unless they have a subspecialty.....one of the women in my local parent innovators group found a great lawyer who indeed has some business experience outside what he does as a lawyer, but these types of lawyers are in the minority......i agree with louis....you can find your own manufacturer, but it takes time....and some inventors are lucky from the get-go and find a great match, and for some people it can take years for many reasons.......and another thing, you are your best salesperson, and really no one can convey the same enthusiasm about your product as you do.......invention home was a great option for me, to be able to get matched up with manufacturers really quickly, saving me time....i have other projects that i am working on, and do not have the time to dedicate to searches.....and i am ok with % paid out to them....it`s their business, and they are providing a service.....this is the way it is done in any other industry.......however, i was still able to find 2 other companies on my own.....so i have the best of both worlds.......

tried to delete this but I can`t.


-------------------------

~Nurture people, not products~
http://www.fashion-incubator.com