R6 means you failed the patent search, for whatever reason. Something else was already out there that competed too closely with your idea when they reviewed it. It might have been the Kinko’s item… or not. Just know you came up with a winner, like Roger said… but things just fell into place too late. Keep going. Your creativity was just validated in a very serious way. Really!!

Even though I believe in EN as a whole, I also know that individuals who are exposed to good ideas have the opportunity to make them great ideas. If I have IP to protect a good idea (or a great idea) then there is a chance that if someone can make it better I still can beneft. IP gives me the insurance to protect my idea. If I can’t afford the insurance, then I have to rely on trust. Before I give my trust, it’s my responsibility to find out if the recipient is trustworthy. I have no idea what employment requirements EN puts upon it’s employees, but I would “assume” that there are some non disclosure / non compete clauses based on the nature of this business. Still, that is just a piece of paper that needs to be enforced in courts. I doubt that anyone took your idea, but that’s just an opnion. More than likely, if it’s in national distribution in a years time then somone beat you to it.

If you saw all the work behind the scenes that you get for your $20 no one would be complaining, especailly if they had to pay for it through an outside agency. You more than get your moneys worth with EN. What a number of Inventors fail to realize is just because you think it up and pay your money does not mean it will get picked up.
As I always tell Inventors if you do your homework up front and make informed decisions you increase your odds of success.

As much as it smarts to go out at level 6 for a patent/IP conflict…I have to realize the extreme value of that professional determination by the EN team. What would it have cost me if I had went to a patent attorney beforehand for this necessary information? Surely alot more than $20!

Hope this doesn’t ever deter anyone from trying to invent..this is just one of the first steps we all must take when trying to invent something new…making double-darn sure that it is new.

EN never requires a patent, if you enter the Innovation fund AND want to have the licensing team represent it if it fails to go G8, then you need at least a provisional patent app. ($110) As Margaret said, this is still the same format, just more opportunities.

I want to again stress the improvements brought about by Scott Dromms. It’s vitally important for inventors to be kept in the loop at all times so there are no surprises, such as the surprise of waiting 6 months or more, just to receive an R8! Another point to consider is an R6 usually results when the EN team discovers interfering prior art or similar products already on the market. Keep trying Jerry. You’re obviously a creative individual who will get ahead of the curve and eventually succeed!

Gosh Jerry, I just had a R6 for the NASCAR submission. I totally feel your pain and I know that I will see my product on shelves very soon but it won’t be to my benefit. I will have all the same suspiscions as you at that point too. I am so thankful that you have put your story out here. I guess that we have to just have some blind faith in EN that they found IP conflict in both of ours that saved us a big headache later and possibly litigation.

La Viva EN!

I am a firm believer in Edison Nation, and all its staff, especially Louis. I am a bit, offset in not identifing the proper channels for protection/funding.submission. If my post leads me there……mission accomplished.

thanks Jerry

I may be one of those “habitual inventors”, that just cannot stop the flow of ideas!, and cannot start/find the flow of funding!

The Idea was red xed at stage 6

I currently have another idea similar to the Package Pal, which did not make it all the way nearly however. I am now as i stated seeing the same product in Kinkos.

If i submit the next idea, which I also believe will sell, minus a patent, do I need patent-pending, and what protection do I have again if edison nation xs the idea just before success. If this is my misunderstanding which is highly likly.

According to you I should submit to the Innovation Fund correct. thank you for your response

Jerry,

The format has not changed from non-patented ideas to patented ideas. EN added 2 new searches. The Innovation Fund: which does not require a patent, and the licensing program: for patented or patent-pending ideas. EN is still offering Live Product Searches for patented and non-patented ideas just as they did before.

Jerry, what level was your submission red X’d at by EN? If your invention was presented to a company by EN, then it would be protected by an NDA that can be enforced. I will say this, Scott Dromms has brought the professionalism and the transparency we have needed here for a long time. His ability and desire to communicate freely with EN inventors gives us early insight into what we need to do for keeping our inventions protected or to simply drop an idea when he informs us the company he presents our idea to has already been working on a siimilar idea. We would need more information about your specific case, but it may not hurt to ask the EN staff directly in a private conversation. Sorry to hear about your bad experience though.