Anthony, first don’t fall for the hard sell pitch from the company you contacted. Before spending any money with that company ask them how many Inventors made more money in royalties than paid them for their services. I bet they try and change the subject quickly and not answer the question.

Here is an example of the percentages this company posted. Look hard at the last line and the percent that made more money in royalties than they paid into them. My suggestion…RUN far far away in the opposite direction!!!!

http://www.davison54.com/disclosure.php

In 1997, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, captioned F.T.C. v. Davison, 97-1278. As a result of the judge’s decision in the case, the judge has ordered us to make the following disclosures to you regarding our track record over the last five years in successfully marketing our clients’ products. You should read all of this information carefully before proceeding.
The total number of consumers who submitted new product ideas to Davison during the past five years is two hundred twenty nine thousand seven hundred thirty eight (229,738). Davison does not provide evaluation of commercial potential; thus, it has provided no positive or negative evaluation of this or any other product idea in the last five years. The total number of consumers who were offered a Pre-Inventegration? agreement (or similar contract for research services) is one hundred fifty seven thousand one hundred twenty two (157,122). The total number of consumers who were offered a Contingency Agreement (or other contract for licensing representation) is one hundred fifty seven thousand one hundred twenty two (157,122). The total number of consumers who purchased a Pre-Inventegration? Agreement or similar contract for research services is thirty five thousand one hundred forty three (35,143). The total number of consumers who signed a Contingency Agreement or other licensing representation agreement is thirty five thousand one hundred forty three (35,143). The total number of consumers who were offered a Product Sample Presentation Agreement (or any other contract for design services for a virtual or a product sample) is twenty five thousand one hundred thirty five (25,135). The number of consumers who signed a Product Sample Presentation Agreement or similar agreement is nine thousand eight hundred ninety five (9,895). The number of consumers who obtained a written license with a company that is not affiliated with Davison is one hundred ninety eight (198). The total number of consumers in the last five years who made more money in royalties than they paid, in total, under any and all agreements with Davison, is seven (7). The percentage of Davison’s income that came from royalties paid on licenses of consumers’ products is .001%.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Yes, great info from everyone. I agree. I lost $2000 with a guy I found on Craigslist. Even after signing NDA and and NCA, with signature of receiving my money, giving him my material and samples, I wasted time and money, which slowed me down and stopped me from moving forward on a potential buyer. If I would have found the right guy to build a simple mold prototype, my product could be out there already. So, yes, make sure you get everything signed and stay on top of them. Give them minimal info at the beginning, go week to week with project goals and add more info as you go, if your product idea allows it. Also, split the fee in parts. If they want your money, the will work with you. I am going to small claims court soon with this guy, luckily I have signed receipts, time frame goals and witnesses. So always bring your friend, partner to be safe. Of course make that person sign the NDA as well… Good luck.

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/qs/ope/fee2...

Provisional Patent application is actually $110.00 for a small entity, which is what you are.

Do it yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5mw92oPPFk

This still does not give you full protection, so keep it out of the public view. If you expose it before it’s perfected. You will have every dishonest developer designing around it,simplifying it and taking it from you if it’s actually a good idea.

Have the company sign an NDA…sample:
http://www.sfu.ca/ors/docs/Non-Disclosure-Confi...

Then a non compete agreement to ensure they don’t try anything sneaky…
http://contracts.onecle.com/type/21.shtml

Never ever let a company begin anything unless you have an agreement in place first.
Good luck and remember in any forum there are dishonest developers just waiting for you to mess up, their livlihood depends on it.

In doubt? partner up with EN. You’ll be safe.

Hi Anthony! Contrats on making your own prototype, that’s great.

I agree with others – be very careful about companies who want to look at your ideas – majority of companies that claim to help inventors are scams. I think you can even find some information about it on USPO (united states patent office – I hope I got the name and abbreviation right). By law they have to reveal what is the percentage of people who gain more than you pay them in fees and other information.

It is very important that you document your invention and ahve 1 (better 2 ) wintesses. It is simply recording how you came up with invention when and what your invention is. In US by law the first to invent has a right to a patent so this document is important to prove it. There is a lot to learn and I also agree with others – educate yourself about. I know it’s hard to find time when you are a student, but it will be worth it… Knowledge is power! Good luck!

good advise Gerald. Provisional patent is $149

Here are a few low cost ways to get started:

Join edison nation insiders and get into the OPEN LPS $9 BUCKS A MONTH
Go to the USPTO website and learn how to obtain a provisional patent application aound $100 bucks.

Buy a book $20 bucks (SEARCH ONLINE OR CHECK OUT AT THE LIBRARY) how to write a patent, and file your own patent application ($550.00).

I know you are a student, but once you take more steps to bringing your product to fruition, money will come. (it did for me).

Dont stop, there are many ways to obtaining a finished model. Keep asking questions.

Happy inventing.

You can do the following:
Research the company.
Both of you sign a non disclosure agreement-find one online.
Get a provisional patent application.
Or just wait and submit to EN when they have their next open search.

Also anthony, just because you sign a Non-disclosure Agreement with the company doesn’t mean they may not try a “design around”. Companies can be very non-trustworthy.

Anthony, don’t give them any money until you’ve checked them out carefully. They might want to help… or they might just want your money. Many people in these forums have had a “company who wanted to meet and talk about their invention” and thousands of dollars later, they realized it was a scam. Use that search button up top to see if the company you are going to see is mentioned in here.

I made the prototype myself and it was around $100. I got most of the items I needed by alot of fabrication. I did just get off the phone with a company I contacted two days ago and they want to meet and talk about my invention! We will see how this goes.

hey guys, i’m fairly new here too. I would suggest reading the forums and blog, you can search for what you want by using the green Search button on the top right of the screen.

I do not have a reply to that , but I wanted to know who did you get to do a protype and what was the cost. I have good ideas, but I feel not having a protype make affect my product for not going forward. Thank you, Renee’ H.