Hey Mark, I’ve got lots going on, the only problem is none of it is patented so it’s hard to talk about. I’m really happy with my latest but can’t really share although I’d love to hear what people think. It’s kind of annoying to want feedback and not be able to get it. Maybe that’s why you aren’t hearing much from anyone.

Hi Phillip….Shoot me an NDA and I’ll be happy to take a look for you. I do that for lots of folks here on EN….

Not sure it helps, but I doubt it hurts much?

I called my attorney and e-mailed a few times over the past few weeks and left messages…..I just got a Christmas card in the mail today =/

Better late than never I guess…. :) but you may want to find a new attorney at some point.

Just waiting for some dashboard movement.

You are so right Mark that I need to get back to the projects we have been working on. I think the one I showed you will probably be the number one product we go with. Did you have a chance to look at the others?

Well muffin head….(just kidding) I looked at a few of them, but I agree you should drive the first one into retail so you all can learn the process on a simple project.

It’s all about the process Gumby

Phillip, get a provisional patent for $120 before you show anything to anyone, including Mark.

Ami….that was really uncalled for – you don’t know me, and I’ve signed dozens of NDA’s from people on EN….

I believe it’s actually $105.00 for a PPA filing fee

There are many reasons to use and NDA not least of all that it’s free – if the idea can’t be manufactured it’s much better to find that out before you make the investment in a patent – An NDA is a good way to do that.

An NDA is actually a much stronger document for protecting an idea than a PPA (in the early stages) that can’t be enforced until at least when the full patent awards. With an NDA you can enforce it as soon as it’s signed.

Please take care to understand the facts before dishing out the advice.

Thanks

Don’t even worry about an NDA when someone you know with experience and network offers you help. Don’t worry they are NOT taking your invention, they want their own. It is a matter of pride.

There is such a slim, tiny tiny chance of someone blabbing to a manufacturer about your idea and the manufacturer probably wouldn’t use anyway. Have YOU ever tried to get a manufacturer to make your idea? It is a long shot when YOU tell them and ask to have it made.

Telling a guy like Mark or Roger you have a great chance to get some very valuable help..and only a chance in a million they will hurt you.

Fear cripples most inventors. The ones that know risk brings glory will get into the game and possibly great success. This game is all about risk.

Every country in the world knows about Handi-Straps. what can I do? Call the invention cops? No…I keep worrying about what I have to do and move forward. This attitude has got me on a cover of a magazine, TV appearances soon and articles in many countries.

Use an NDA on companies in a business proposition, don’t worry about friends that can help you.

You have to remember that you still have a year to develop your invention after it has been exposed in the public domain regardless of an NDA. Hopefully this significant feature will stay in effect in our patent system unless our patent system is changed. An inventor’s note book is a good way to start your protection.

Tom…my feeling is if someone is serious about their idea they will file a patent…if not they are most likely dreaming and blowing smoke. My opinion only.

If their idea is not worth a patent application to themselves, what is it worth to a company?

I file patents on my ideas. Maybe that is why i am getting so far. I take myself, my idea more seriously because I invested in it. Maybe a psychology trick on myself.

All should know here that you can write your own patent and the patent office will help the independent inventor write an application or get a lawyer when the office action comes in two years. A utility patent application fee is about $600 depending on the amount of claims. A design patent is all around much cheaper.

Anyone here can also contact me and use my patent agent. He is GREAT. $3500 to write an application and office action is included.

Ron and Mark are right. All three of us have our own projects we are wanting to push, stealing someone elses is the last thing on our minds. It does not have to be patented or have a provisional before you show it to us, do the NDA.
I always ask for an NDA before looking at anyones ideas just to keep things legal and to give them a paper trail of who they have shown it to.
I get contacted a lot offline from people on EN as well as other forums to review ideas. I just can’t make it my 40 hour a week job. If it got to that point I would have to start charging something since it takes away from my own work and projects.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

That’s very true Roger…..Like you, I always ask for an NDA, and if they don’t have one I send them one to have me sign. It just doesn’t make sense to take people’s ideas from them….there are companies who do that to be sure – but people like us really just want to help.

In the long run, it’s just up to the person….

It can turn into a lot of time….I do most of those call backs on my way home from the office about 8PM….and as many can attest I’m still gabbing about inventing often 2 hours later.

I’m sure as Ron and Roger can tell you – this industry is not a 9-5 style venture.

ahhhhh….living in the world of paranoia :-)

I lived that way for awhile. I have sent things to Mark with no fears, and I would have no worries about asking Roger or Ron to look at my ideas either.

They have pride and reputation that didn’t get built in a day. I would think it funny if they ran away with my electric sock puller uppers ;-)

Oh Crap….BUSTED….Roger….I swear those sock things were MINE!!!!

DISCLAIMER….The above statement was a JOKE…it was designed for humor and in no way reflects the true intent of the author, Roger Brown, Santa, The Easter Bunny, or EN. It should be used for entertainment purposes only and it is NOT suitable for use as a flotation device.

I agree Mark this is not a 9 to 5 job. I get calls from Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia, most of the U.S. and lately from England. They all have found me through forums like this, articles written about my getting inventions to market for under $100 or referrals from other Inventors and companies I have worked with in the past. All of that can be tarnished very quickly if you get known for stealing others ideas.
I’d rather be known for helping Inventors and seeing them succeed.

Amen brother…..just not worth it.

Why it is STUPID to take someone’s idea:

Picture this: Someone asks me for help to get a product to market.

Know why I want to HELP and NOT STEAL? Very simple. I give that person a lead to a company. If there are sharks in there…they get eaten. I stay safe and know not to go there.

If all works well, I just established myself a sweet door to enter any time I want and that is worth 100 times more than stealing someone’s idea. I also establish myself with one more idea to add me as a good source.

Point blank…the real truth…for me, Roger, Mark or anyone else that plays this game at the highest level.

NO..No..No…have you been drinking? …my guess is you are just trying to make a point…

“Point blank…the real truth…for me, Roger, Mark or anyone else that plays this game at the highest level.” …..

Sorry Ron, but simply not true. I can’t talk for Roger, or even you – but I can tell you that I would NEVER do that to someone…And I seriously doubt Roger would either.

You help people because it’s the right thing to do…it’s how you were raised, and it’s also the way you pay tribute to those who helped you.

Bottom Line – I help people because I can…and I can because many people took the time to help me….and I will keep helping people as long as I am blessed enough to be able.

TOUCHE MARK :))

I didn’t mean it that way…it came out wrong. Every time you bring an idea to market that goes on your resume. It helps you build your reputation to companies like Roger has. I have my respect out there too.

It is a win-win situation to help someone with their invention. I just said that before in a raw way.

If I bring company A a couple ideas, mine or whoever’s, they are going to start giving me a big welcome along with trust respect and value me.

The inventor you help will acquire the same. This payoff is much greater than trying to steal someone’s idea…in a very bottom line sense of common sense without even considering ethics.

I am trying to prove why your idea won’t get stolen asking for help…or VERY unlikely. Take the help without fear.

Can’t disclose any of mine but I will tell you one thing…First person to invent a Christmas tree stand where I can drop the SOB in the water, grab a remote, click the “stabilize” button, watch some heavy duty clamps secure the trunk..then step back, call the Mrs into the room for her annual “tell me which way it is leaning party”……only this time when she wants to know why I am not laying on my stomach with tree branches so deep into my eyes that they are bleeding, I will show her the remote, grab a cold beer, sit down in my recliner, use the joystick to straighten it just to her liking and laugh…..No screwing bolts into a trunk from 4 angles…No more “oh, it looked straight while you were under there”…no more “wait a minute, let me look at it from the other doorway” as my thumbs seize up from twisting a midget sized eye bolt for the 6,000th revolution…..
:)
Listen, I know the stand will weigh 50 or 60 pounds and won’t be cheap but with today’s technology someone should put this on the market..Give it a chainsaw motor and fancy hydraulics, paint the thing green and red and tell me where I can get it…

Ill get right to work on that greg, great idea though, i share your sympathy. christmas snuck up on us this year, we left the thing lean, decided the only ones to notice were us and the cats(part of the reason it leans) and the occasional passerby who sees it in the window. who cares, gives it character.

Greg, there is a self centering Christmas tree stand out there.No remote though:) I used to use them when I was a floral designer. I had a client that would give all his girl friends a fresh tree for Christmas. So I need a heavy duty stand that I didn’t have to fuss with. They worked great. I don’t do fresh any more for my house I have 3 prelit artifical trees :)

Hey everyone, I’m sorry if I got this forum going off in the wrong direction with all the paranoia talk. I’ve used non-disclosures before and I think that is a great way to go and appreciate the offer.

As for the if you are serious you’d get a provisional patent comments, I can see the logic in it, but it doesn’t always hold true. I’m a graphic designer by trade so I’ve had a lot of training in marketing, packaging, layout and design. I also happen to have an intuitive mind and am constantly thinking of new ways to do things, put the 2 together and I come up with too many ideas to be able to run out and patent them all. Sure some ideas stink, but I have quite a few that I know are marketable that I’d love to patent but being a designer I don’t earn that much and would be broke in a month. Even if I could get the provisional I’d need capital to get them going, hiring people to do prototypes, engineers to design the final molds etc…

I’ve got 4 ideas going in the ASOTV right now and I’m developing 4 more. That’s why Edisonnation and EE are perfect for me. I get to be the idea guy and they do the work.

I’m extremely fortunate to have been chosen to be an EE Season 3 inventor. That guarantee’s that at least one of my ideas will make it all the way and I’m trying my hardest to use that momentum to get more ideas going. I see this as my big breatk to change my life for the better.

My hope is that I get Edisonnation to pick up at least 2 more ideas which will hopefully give me the capital to do one myself.
We all have a shot at this and I’m trying my hardest to make it happen for me as I’m sure all of you are.

I share my ideas with people I know and trust I’m not super paranoid just mildly paranoid. I don’t think I need to worry about anyone on this forum, we are all inventors and all have a sense of pride and just wouldn’t do that.

I too like to help people because it’s the right thing to do. So if anyone wants my help I’m here just email me.

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I really appreciate it and I hope that we all manage to achieve success with our ideas. I really want that tree stand!

OK…back to answering the thread. My projects are of coarse to keep building the Handi-Straps brand and add the other products/inventions to the line but now it is time for the next project.

The next one is my writing invention. I have it proven with medical fact and clinical testing for injured, handicapped and “normal” people that my new way, shape of writing/art instruments is a better way.

This invention is so far away from a stick-like instrument. This will be a historical change like Handi-Straps but as I now have learned…I think…the bigger the change the harder to prove to the general public…sometimes.

If I change the way people lift….and then write and perform art…I’m in pretty shape. These two inventions were to prove myself. I think I have some bigger ideas left in me but they are not inventions. I am a creative thinker across the board.

I also have other inventions that are surely winners including a real nice one and big my daughter invented when she was in 3rd grade!

My idea was to make money on the big two so I can finance the others. Hopefully ’09 will give me a boost closer to my dreams.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Currently I am working on more kitchen gadgets, a new toy, a new screwdriver, and camping gadgets. I think that will keep me busy for at least a week. LOL

well, I only have that one toy that popped into my head. I’m waiting to hear back from 4Kidzinc to see if they are interested in that type of item.
After that, I probably won’t persue it. Just not something I feel strong about I guess. although it’s a really cool idea, not sure it’s realistic.

I don’t want to spend out a lot of money to see if it would actually work the way I imagine it.

I redesigned one of my old ideas, and now I like it much better.

I am still drawing more things and perfecting old ones. It seems to be easier to tweek things the more I learn on EN with everyones help, reading a lot and Mark’s feedback on my ideas.

I have one product in the hands of an artist/ graphic designer to perfect and add her talent to, then it will hopefully be on it’s way to market, after many steps and still more learning for me along the way.

She’s then excited for another product I have after that.

I have an athletic game that I’m ready to put in somewhere for licensing if they want it. So if there are any lurking game people out wanting a kick butt game…email me :-)

Hey…that was a good little plug :-)

After I become successful, my plan is to turn around and help others, so I’m reading a lot more than drawing right now. Although I’m still drawing a lot…so I guess I’m just really busy
:-)

Tania, you are the busiest little beaver for sure.
I have no doubt that one day you will be rich and
famous. You have great ideas and an imagination
that can’t be beat. Can I have your autograph :))

Oh lord Toni/joe laCava!hahaha

I just need about fifteen copies of myself and I would be set. along with a full time job and my fiance has a job which I help with as well, plus my business, and at least three projects on the back burner til warmer weather, plus one I am trying to market now, I work on about six hours sleep at best. sometimes I get caught up in a new project and have to reorient myself to get back to some of the other ones. My shop isn’t that well heated though it is at the end of my house(used to be a porch but someone closed it in)and even though I insulated it and have a little heater it still stays cool. I could use my basement but then would have to haul my lathe, drill press, tools, and everything else down narrow stairs so usually unless it is really pressing I wait til the outside temp is at least thirty before I go in my shed. one of these days I will get one of the projects done(though they are somewhere near the end of my everlasting honeydo list..lol) sometimes though just working on the project is satisfaction enough wheter or not I finish it. put a tool in my hand and I am happy. I have submitted my MIG welding attachment to a marketer for analysis and hope perhaps I can get somewhere with that.

For me it’s quilting rulers….I know, I didn’t know they had their own rulers either.

A friend of mine has a patent for a double sided foil print process that has been used for manufacturing these acrylic quilting rulers – he had a license agreement with a manufacturer for the last 4 years – but he caught them selling out the back door. So he took them to court and ended their career in the quilting ruler business.

So he called me one day and asked if I would pick up the manufacturing…..of course after I looked at the sales data and found 2.5 million in sales per year. I said yes.

So now I’m moving the manufacturing to China, and rebranding them, and should have them ready for national reps by February 09 ….or at least that’s the plan anyway….

Mark

China . you get get it done here?

I wish that were true Robert…

but in this case moving it to china brings the cost back down to where it was here 3 years ago….it’s about 40% cheaper and allows me to keep the sell in price to the retailer at about what they were paying before

It’s just economics….

mark

china. you cant get it done here? sorry typo

Mark

i know its dollars verses pennies. but man if we keep sending things over there we might as well start speaking another language ? we are selling AMERICA 1 product at a time.
and no i am not yelling at you . i know everyone wants to make money and needs to make money. but if we dont stop when will it end?
or do we just let AMERICA slip by the way side in search of the al mighty dollar.
yea i know if i had a product to make and sell i wouldnt care either. you maybe right.
i think as AMERICANS we need to rethink our wages and life style. before someone does it for us

Mark

wouldnt the cost of shipping cut do on your profits?

also arent you afraid of them taking your idea and product. there is nothing to stop them!

As a business owner I agree 100% – The problem is my employees want to get paid, so I have to find products that will sell in stores – That simple.

If I make the rulers here in the US they cost me 40% more, they then have to sell for 40% more to the retailers …and yes…40% more to the consumers….for the consumers to then afford that item….I as an employer then need me to pay them 40% more….

People assume that the 40% savings in cost stays in my pocket – but the system is not designed that way….the sell in price demand is really set by the retailers…..and their margins are designed to cover the cost of the stores, advertising. labor….and of course the investors.

unfortunately robert, i also sympathize with this, we have way too much made in china and other countries, but it comes down to realism versus idealism. in reality, we need to sell the items to make profit which makes tax money which helps us, but to maximise profit we need to make it cheaper and sell it for profit. If the cost to make here is too high then sales drop because of it and then no one makes money. This is why I beleive we should restructure things so that we can get back to manufacturing here. but we know that wont happen anytime soon.

The shipping costs is something you have to take into account because it adds cost to the product – however it’s not normally enough to offset the savings

As for getting ripped off….you go in knowing it’s going to happen…..China will make token efforts to keep it from happening, but at the end of the day they will make it for anyone that asks …..and pays.

The protections come here in the US by shutting down any sales at the retail level that prove to be infringements of patents, copyrights or the like

Shawn

thanks but i`m all to well aware of that.

but you know no one brought stuff up like that in the last election. did you share that with your friends and co workers or did you let them like everyone else blame BUSH for our jobs going over seas?
i mean if the jobs stayed here they would be out of work anyway cause labor is too high wish is a factor in the price of goods.
but i think its like the auto makers everyone is gonna have to take pay cuts and say we can make it and we will make it at a lower price.
i mean if all the jobs goes over seas whos gonna buy the products here? the out of work AMERICAN?

Mark

i would say that the tides will change and that the things that we send out of the US to be made and reshipped here will be taxed to such a point that we have no choice but to have them made here.
i look for the GOV. to say any company that leaves the US to go over seas will not be permitted to sale those items here in the US. for such an amount of time that it will factor into having things produced here.
we have to do something or there will be no one left to buy things here

In 1945 the entire country band together to make products for the war effort – it was a sense of national pride. Why not band together as a country to make the adjustments necessary to fix our manufacturing efforts?

Until then to keep our folks employed I have to keep selling products, and that means giving the consumer what they ask for – quality goods at the lowest price…..and trust me, they will even forgive me for quality if I can save them a few cents.

No….because the people who elect them will demand that they get them low cost products. Import taxes on US goods being made off shore is not the answer.

Mark

can i hear your answer then?

i mean we have to do something right?

i really dont think the people who are loosing their jobs at an alarming rate care if we tax the hell out of people who are doing this?
i think we are an arms throw from a depression.

I think everything has to fall before it can be rebuilt the way some want it. Global business has to stop and each stay in their own country.

That would kill some countries while other’s will thrive…but is this where some will say to hell with everyone else because I know MY country will be ok?

Then again…this might be a little extreme lol

People want high wages and low cost living…something had to fail with that type of thinking.

Tania

to some extreme you are right.
i think that before we go forward we have to go down and then back

back to a time when you bartered for what you need

a time of back yard gardens.

maybe even a time when you know who lives next door.

i think alot of people with money are blind to the fact that their money wont mean anything in a depression.

we can not stay on the track we are on.

bailing out these auto makers is only a band aide on a gun shot wound to the heart.

6 figure incomes are gonna be a thing of the past.

I don’t really have “the” answer….but I can tell you my opinion

A large part of the problem is a workforce that wants high wages, but wants to give back low productivity. I see it everyday…..if we could just get workers to actually work a good hard 8 hour day the productivity level would go up, the cost per part would come down…and the manufacturing imbalance would start to level itself out.

Lower manufacturing costs can be directly tied to work force productivity…and that at some point translates to consumer cost.

I actually don’t want any country to fall. I was being extreme.

I’m sure there’s a happy medium somewhere :-) It’ll just take someone with a good plan to figure it all out.

I really can’t see this all stopping. I believe it’ll be that everyone has to accept the world is changing. Those who choose not to change with it, will be left behind.

but yeah, come on with some of those salaries hey? lol