I’ve heard they are not very honest (in general). Be careful.

Peter, You are wise to be very careful about who you consult with in this industry. A couple things to watch out for: companies offering evaluations, companies talking about joint ventures or sharing in your royalties, long term contracts, and expense budgets with no proof of where the money goes. In short, watch out when you give up control.
I tour the country educating patent holders about what is in store for them and promoting a common sense approach to commercializing IP. I believe in order to maximize the opportunity owning IP offers you need to execute a precise plan and be sure and seek out expertise wherever it is needed. Make sure the people you are taking advice from are truly qualified and are working based on experience not just theory from some book. It is not necessary to give away patent rights or pay huge fees to find success. Success can be had if you and your team are willing to roll up your sleeves.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work.”
-Thomas Edison

Kenny, Would you mind putting that great Thomas Edison quote on the “Inspiration for Inventors” forum? Thanks…

Your best bet, right now today in this economy for a company to promote your invention FOR FREE is right here…Edison Nation.

The odds of a product making it to market in this ugly economy is very low but Edison Nation people just have an “in” with everyone in the field now. Quite amazing I think.

If you hire invention promotion companies these days you are even more likely to lose. Look at Handi-Straps my current invention being marketed. Infomercial companies are starting to call me again but I know we will probably lose money if we ran an infomercial these days…just tough out there.

I say if you want to take a shot try here and if it doesn’t work move on and maybe try again here later when the economy gets better. I won’t even waste money on a cheap advertising campaign now….let alone spend big bucks on an invention promotion company….unless they are legit and will do some real work for the money getting you prepared for market….but those that promising all out licensing deals and stuff….no good. Take small steps that don’t cost much these days.

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

Julie, Sure I will move it over there. I am glad you like it. It is one of my favorite quotes also. Here is another I believe is very good.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”
Thomas Edison

Ron is right about the economy. It is tough. I believe it has forced companies to look for less expensive ways of doing business. This is why licensing outside IP is becoming more popular than ever. The last thing anyone should do is sit on their hands and watch the time on their patents just tick away out of fear. Don’t spend wildly or throw caution to the wind but make sure every penny spent could potentially help you meet your commercialization goals.

Disney, Burger King, Adobe, IBM, Hershey’s, Hewlett-Packard, Sun, Coors, Eli Lilly, GE, Etc… The list goes on and on. These companies were all founded during economic recessions.

These stories are more proof you can’t stop pushing:

“To begin, not all was gloom and doom during the Great Depression. It
was a time when those who knew what they were doing made great
economic strides and the very nature of the depression itself was an
economic boon for them. It was a time when several companies
benefited from aggressive marketing while their rivals cut back. A
good example of that would be Kellogg besting C.W. Post during that
time. Consumers didn’t totally stop spending during the depression,
most just looked for better deals and the companies providing those
better deals came out stronger after the depression ended. When
spending picked up, consumer loyalty to those companies remained.

To state a generality, those companies who not only survived but did
well and grew during the Great Depression are those who continued to
act as though there were nothing wrong and that the public had money
to spend. In other words, they advertised. These are industries who
didn’t wait for public demand for their products to rise, they created
that demand even during the most difficult of times. Because so many
companies cut spending during that era, advertising budgets were
largely eliminated in many industries. Not only did spending decline,
these companies actually dropped out of public sight because of short
sighted decisions made about spending money to keep a high profile.
These advertising cutbacks caused many customers to feel abandoned and
associated the effected brands with a lack of staying power. This not
only drove customers to more aggressive competitors but caused a
certain amoung of financial mistrust when it came to making additional
investments in the no longer visable companies.

Both anecdotal and emperical evidence support the case that
advertising was the main factor in the growth or downfall of companies
during those years. To put it bluntly, the companies which
demonstrated the most growth and which rang up the most sales were
those which advertised heavily. The Great Depression offers classic
examples of the power of brand advertising even during times of
economic crisis.

Proctor and Gamble – This is a company which has a philosophy of not
reducing advertising budgets during times of recession and they
certainly did not make any such reduction during the Depression. P&G
has made progress in every one of the major recessions and that is no
accident. When their competitors were swinging the budget axe, P&G
actually increased their spending. While the Depression caused
problems for many, P&G came out of it unscathed. Radio took P&G’s
message into more homes than ever.

Chevrolet – During the 1920s, Fords were outselling Chevrolets by 10
to 1. In spite of the Depression, Chevrolet continued to expand its
advertising budget and by 1931, the “Chevy 6” took the lead in its
field and remained there for the next five years.

Camel Cigarettes – in 1920 Camel was the top selling tobacco product.
American Tobacco Company then struck back with the Lucky Strike brand
and by 1929 Lucky had overtaken Camel as the number one brand. Two
years later in the heart of the Depression, Chesterfield also overtook
Camel. Camel countered with a massive increase in advertising
spending and by doing so demonstrated the power of advertising during
depressed times. By 1935, it was back on top.

Now, these examples count as anecdotal. But in addition to these
examples, studies have demonstrated that during times of recession,
companies that maintain advertising during these periods experience
higher sales and profits during the downturns and afterward than
companies who cut their advertising budgets.

It was also the very nature of this advertising that spurred the
growth of two other industries during the Depression. The first of
which was radio broadcasting.

Let’s return to Proctor and Gamble for a while. P&G first turned to
radio in 1923 advertising Crisco on a New York station. Other
products such as Ivory and Lava soap were advertised on ‘product
oriented’ shows which were similar to todays infomercials. But in the
heart of the depression P&G took a step which changed not only that
company but the broadcast medium forever while creating great demand
for its products. The president of P&G at the time was Richard
Deupree. In spite of the fact that shareholders were demanding that
he cut back on advertising, he knew that people were still buying
essential household products. So he created radio programming that
did not focus on a product. Because of that, we now have a cultural
attribute known as the “soap opera.”

In 1933, P&G went on the air with its first “soap” – “Ma Perkins,”
sponsored by Oxydol. P&G was so satisfied with the increase of sales,
they went on to introduce “Vic and Sadie” for Crisco, “O,Niells” for
Ivory Soap and “Forever Young” for Camay. By the time 1939 rolled
around, P&G was sponsoring 21 radio programs and they doubled their
radio advertising budget every two years during the Depression.

Radio was one of the fastest growth industries of the depression. P&G
virtually built daytime radio with its advertising budgets and
programming. Two industries were thriving from the advertising budget
of one.

The print media was also a growth industry during the Depression. To
give some reason for this, we now return to Chevrolet. the first ads
for Chevrolet appeared in print in 1914. In 1927, they began to
increase their print advertising budget. As the country moved into
the Depression a couple of years later, Chevy did not let its
commitment to print advertising falter and its car ads not only kept
some publications afloat, it helped many to grow. In as much as the
term “print media” covers many outlets, they pioneered the outdoor
advertising medium, billboards. Chevrolet also went into radio and
sponsored such Depression Era classics as Fred Allen and Jack Benny.
Chevy’s print ads appealed to the “emotional” side of a buying
decision which was a great move in light of the economic uncertainty
of the time.

So once again, those companies which took advantage of the Depression
and came through in good form were those who kept their name in front
of the public in spite of a lack of purchasing power.

Your question asks about a hierarchy of demand from essential
consumables to deferrable purchases to capital goods. In reality
there was no such hierarchy. I have tried to balance the examples
given to show some spectrum across the board. Proctor and Gamble
represents essential consumables, Chevrolet represents deferrable
purchases and Camel represents non-essential products. So as you can
see, the so called hierarchy of necessity and want was sidestepped by
those who had the marketing gumption to ignore such distinctions.

However, capital goods information needs to reflect the entire
economic structure of the Depression and not just those companies
which were successful. Overall, new production of capital goods less
capital goods consumed during the years 1929 – 1939 was near zero.
The increase in the money supply during the 1920s also increased the
prices of capital goods relative to the prices of consumer goods. This
disparity set in motion a boom in real estate and stock market prices
and interest rates were driven down by the "increase in Fed money.

It must also be noted that the preceeding statement on capital goods
is only one of many competing economic theories about the Depression.
There are some who say this compounding of assertions is wrong from
beginning to end. But in composing an answer such as this, there
needs to be one which best meets the nature of the question and in
conjunction with the material about public visability covered above,
this is the one your researcher ties into the equation.
When money has entered the economy from whatever sources during
business fluctuations in the past, has there been a disparity between
the increases in prices of capital and consumer goods? That alone is
a subject which would take volumes to answer. In fact, it would take
volumes just to cover the debate without any resolution coming about.

As far as the end of your question as to what distinguished the
companies that did well during the Depression? They were the
companies that kept their name in front of the public and created
brand name recognition even during the worst of times."

The upbeat impact of crisis is that competitors become mediocre, and the ambitious find new ways to grow.

I have heard so many bad stories about inventor promotion and development companys that bilk inventors out of millions of dollars every year and never deliver any thing of value in return. These companys prey on people who lack the knowledge and skills to bring an idea to market without help from experts. This fact makes me wonder about the fesability of forming an inventor owned company,a CO-OP non profit type company that would provide a full range of inventor services,CAD,Design,Prototype,Packaging,and market plan. Not being an experienced buisness person I don’t know how the structure of the company would be set up,member ship fees,stock or??? But if it could be done it would put an end to the rip off artists and facilitate inventors in developing their products at a reasonable cost.

Great idea, Karl! I have wanted to start an Incubation business here in Yuma but can’t find business people to help. An incubator provides office space, a community conference room, copy machine, lunch room, receptionist / secretary, phone system with your own private line. AND, there is a board of directors of volunteers from every type of business and they act as mentors: you sign up for free consultations in whatever area you need help with. Once you get the business rolling, you have to leave and the next person on the incubator waiting list goes in.

I think you might be able to do something similar but with the focus on the needs of inventors: inventor services that you mentioned. This could be a virtual company run with strict guidelines / structure and NDA’s, etc.

I no doubt have a simple minded view about buisness but if 10,000 inventors paid $25.00 a month that would provide 3 million in seed money the first year which could purchase space,equiptment and hire some expert people. Costs in a non profit setup might be limited to actual cost of materials for a prototype or package design etc. Then once you have a complete professionally designed product package put togeather you take it and your market plan and off you go to seek out a licence/company or retailer.

Do you belong to the Inventors group in your area? That might be a place to start getting advice. Have been to groups in Dallas, Maine and a few other places and found them to be so supportive and helpful.

I can’t see how you could have a physical space for inventors to GO to and that is why I thought a virtual office might work. The CAD person would be wherever they already are, and the same for the prototype authority and whatever skill you envision.

In order to have a non-profit, the group would have to go through some legal issues and would have to decide where they would donate any profit: education is the most common recipient, I believe. You pick a group, maybe young inventors, and that is where the money would go.

The Inventor Protection act of 1999 and the Inventor’s rights act of 1999

“This subtitle, effective 60 days after enactment, helps protect inventors against deceptive practices of certain invention promotion companies. The title requires invention promoters to disclose in writing the number of positive and negative evaluations of inventions they have given over a five-year period and their customers’ success in receiving net financial profit and license agreements as a direct result of the invention promotion services.

Customers injured by failure to disclose the required information or by any material false or fraudulent representation by the invention promoter can bring a civil action to recover statutory damages up to $5,000 or actual damages. Damages of up to three times the amount awarded are available for intentional or willful violations”

My bet is many people here didn’t even know this law was on the books. The Inventor Protection Act was passed in 1999 as a result of the promotion companies targeting inventors. Basically it forces them to disclose statistics of their practices. It covers consultants, invention programs, license brokers, submission companies, even contests – All in an effort to protect novice inventors. So next time someone asks you for money – ask them for their stats first. It may save you a buck.

Julie,I see it working much the same way as edison nation,inventors deal with EN on the internet but they have a physical location with a shop,offices etc. The difference being that they work from the other end by group sourcing ideas that companys ask for and share a portion of licencing profit. An inventor owned company would develop your product form a marketing plan and the inventer would then go seeking thier own deal well armed with a slick presentation package and prototype. Mark,you are correct, I was not aware of that particular law…But I see it as a closing the barn door after the horse is already out.How many inventors can afford to hire a lawyer to seek damages from a scam company who may well go out of buisness one day and reopen under a different name next month?

I guess, but it closed the barn door 10 years ago.

The idea is that you ask the question before you hire them, and the law requires them to answer you. If they don’t simply contact the attorney generals office in your state and they will sue them for you. That’s how consumer protection laws work.

They are for your good – but you have to know about them to use them.

I guess I was looking at this venture from a totally different angle: I saw it as more of a bartering collaboration – not an income-producing one. If there isn’t anything the person can barter, then maybe there could be a list of recommended businesses which get paid: CAD, website designers, etc.

If the objective is to get assistance in order to move our ideas/products to market through whatever avenue, we might each make two lists – “what do I need” and “what can I offer”?

I don’t see this as a business to take someone’s idea and run with it: think it should be more of a think tank with help available. We could form a think tank comprised of people knowledgeable in whatever the request is for. The think tank could be done by web-conferencing.

If this is a direction you might consider, there is a way of assigning a value to a service and keeping track of hours given and taken.

Mark, I wasn’t aware thats how it worked. Julie,I wasn’t really thinking income producing…something more like a wholesale at cost service for inventors. Not for profit just self supporting. Like I said I’m not real sharp on buisness stuff but I think someone with an MBA could set up a structure model that would work?

Karl, what about starting a new forum named somethink lik “what type of help do you need to further you idea?”

My answer would be “marketing” and “packaging”

I’m not sure about the response since it seems that the same ol, same ol people are the major contributors.

It was mentioned before to not only have the skill set listed, but also a portfolio. We could set-up a free or a very small fee, member website where folks can barter services or pay for them if they are not in a position to barter. We can list out skill sets, prior work, testimonials and a way to communicate. I would want to see what people are capable of doing, prior to committing to working with them. There is a saying, "You can lie about what you say, but not what you do. "

Colonel, I think that sounds like something which will work. If this becomes advantageous for all, maybe then the participation could be expanded to a website and include those outside of EN. We would have to be very sure to write in large letters the fact that the website is not a company which takes your idea and handles it.

How do we reach those people listed under the skills we want? Contact each one through ‘friends’?

Karl, since this started out as your idea, whatcha want to do? I’m here for you and willing to work.

At this point its just a raw idea…I see many people on the forums who say (need a prototype) But a 3D printed Prototype might run a thousand dollars,that is why I was thinking of an inventor CO-OP type thing where the membership fees would pay for space and wages of the professionals we hire and the inventor would only have to pay for consumables such as the plastic and electrical usage to print the prototype which might be only $150.00. We actually have the (skills and needs) setup here on EN but very few post examples of previous work or links to view or contact. I agree with the Colonel I want to see what someone can do and what it will cost before i reach for my very thin wallet. This may be just a pie in the sky idea but i thought it would be worth discussing and i put it under this post because Peter Quinn started the discussion about an honest company that would not be a rip off what I don’t know is how many inventors would be receptive to this idea and if the numbers would support my theory. I do know that i would rather pay $300.00 a year in membership fee’s and pay $150 or $200 dollars for a prototype than have to pay a for profit co. a thousand dollars a pop! Hell I’d love to see Edison Nation take this idea and run with it…Problem there is the for profit part I don’t imagine they would do this for break even.

Is there any interest in this idea? If there is please throw in your opinion!

Give me a break!!! How much more of my opinion do you want! ;0)

You set it up, I’ll be there to help. I still think you should start a forum something like “what do you need help with?”. (guess that qualifies as an opinion)

Actually Julie,I was looking for feedback from more people…Maybe there just isn’t any interest?

Karl, I personally don’t know if I would pony up for this. I do think it is an interesting idea though and it does meet a need. I think you and I are in a similar spot in our process. I actually quoted you on another tread on the industrial design forum. It is the First Step… post.

Carrie, I read your post on industrial design,Although I think my idea has merit i’m not seeing much interest in it. I recently posted some questions on inventors mentors reguarding (buisness structure) using something called share equity which exchanges services such as design or patent search etc for a certain number of company shares. This is apparently a fairly common practice and may be a good direction to go if you lack funding to pay for these services.

I would welcome any chance to show off our work. Where can I post some of it? My creative staff has done packaging design for Coca- Cola and Anheuser- Busch, Jeff even did the Bud Select cartons you see in the store.

I can only bring a horse to water, I can’t make him drink !

Kenny,I think it would be good to post some pictures of your work on your profile page to show people in the forum what you can do. Also if you are looking to obtain that sort of work post some sort of contact information there as well.

Karl, we have all of our contact information in our profile, but it’s not showing up…any pointers for the EN rookies?

Amy, I clicked on your photo and on Kenny’s and your profiles, with video, come up.

I just added samples of our creative departments work as pictures on my profile. I can post more later but I think you all will get the idea.

If you was in my neck of the woods i would be interested in your work. Looks like good packaging company to me. Your art work looks great.

Kenny,I like the looks of your work…Don’t see any contact info it might be EN will not allow it? Amy is having the same issue.

Peter,Let me say I’m sorry I really didn’t intend to hijack your thread,and you didn’t really get a good answer to your question. I dont have an answer for you but possibly some one here does and will read this post. Again sorry!

I would never use a company which was not mentioned in ID.

Peter,You may want to check out www.enventys.com for your needs they are affiliated with Edison Nation and although I have not utilized thier services I would consider them trustworthy. Hope this helps!

Julie, I thought the same thing about ID. Even the UIA. We joined the UIA and after further research they approved companies that are cleary invention promotion firms. Same with ID. I guess it proves that when it comes down to it, they want the business and the advertising dollars. I am pretty active on the web and I continue to see websites and blogs preaching one thing, then taking the advertising dollar of a company that cleary goes against what they are preaching. It’s frustrating. I guess what I am saying, is no matter what, get samples, do your research, and don’t trust an organization just because of their affiliations.

Those are great points Amy, and you are 100% correct – but then again, that’s business.

In addition to doing your due diligence, let the law help you. The inventor’s protection act of 1999 requires by law, that all such companies (even EN) must provide these statistics to an inventor when asked.

The law requires invention promoters to disclose in writing the number of positive and negative evaluations of inventions they have given over a five-year period and their customers’ success in receiving net financial profit and license agreements as a direct result of the invention promotion services.

The numbers are not going to lie – they are what they are, and if a company will not disclose their statistics I would have nothing to do with them and report them directly to the State Attorney Generals office of complaints in the state they do business in.

Mark

In that case what are En stats for the time they have been up and running?

The 1999 American Inventors Protection Act established disclosure requirements for invention promotion firms. These disclosure requirements include:

the total number of inventions evaluated by the invention promoter for commercial potential in the past 5 years, as well as the number of those inventions that received positive evaluations, and the number of those inventions that received negative evaluations;

the total number of customers who have contracted with the invention promoter in the past 5 years, not including customers who have purchased trade show services, research, advertising, or other nonmarketing services from the invention promoter, or who have defaulted in their payment to the invention promoter;

the total number of customers known by the invention promoter to have received a net financial profit as a direct result of the invention promotion services provided by such invention promoter;

the total number of customers known by the invention promoter to have received license agreements for their inventions as a direct result of the invention promotion services provided by such invention promoter;

the names and addresses of all previous invention promotion companies with which the invention promoter or its officers have collectively or individually been affiliated in the previous 10 years.

The American Inventors Protection Act also provides civil penalties that can be assessed against invention promotion firms engaged in fraudulent or deceptive practices.

Oh, I’m sure they have it posted someplace – but you would have to ask them

Lambert and Lambert seem shady to me from my experience. For 250 you get a response saying that they considered your product and decided not to go forward. However you don’t receive much feedback either, just a cookie cut response with a few custom sections where they throw your product name in. I was surprised to see them advertising in the Inventors magazine.

I have been in this business for 5 years and I have never heard of someone getting a high enough score from Lambert and Lambert to qualify for them working on contigency. It always comes in just below the mark. Who knows what products will make it and what won’t? No one really. I’ve seen great projects get zero interest while questionable ones raise eyebrows. What makes a company an “expert” on evaluating patents? I can evaluate a cheeseburger pretty good, but IP? THat’s a tough one. Remember New Coke? Didn’t go over so well. Coke Zero…that’s pretty good stuff. Even the big boys have trial and error and can’t predict the future.

That is so true – at the end of the day it’s all just intuition and experience combined. I call it “Doing the Voodoo” No one really knows what goes into it, not even the people doing it – it’s feeling you get when it all adds up based on a set of factors common to all products.

What you can do is master the art of the tools, market analysis, benefit/detriment, the math, manufacturing methods …add these things to someone who thinks in abstracts and visualizations and you will likely have someone who can do the Voodoo.

So has anyone actually seen any of the inventor stats from these people like Lambert? Did someone find EN’s stats posted here someplace? I thought someone was looking for them.

Mark;

You’ve been pushing the issue. I don’t know how anybody could answer your questions. You are asking for answers involving terms that yet need to be defined.

EN is a ‘sui-generis’ enterprise. They are not an “Inventionn Promotion Company”. They are not promising to bring any invention to market. Much less, to do it successfully. They are not charging any ‘Invention Promotion’ fees. They act in cooperation with Worldwide renown firms to identify potentially successful inventions. They spell out the terms of the arrangements with the sponsor and with the submitter (inventor). The names of the sponsoring companies are openly disclosed.

They don’t even advertise in Mass Media (TV, Radio, National and Broad Circulation Publications), which is a defining element of Invention Promotion Companies. Inventors Digest is a trade publication. Not mass media.

We also need to define “Success”. Anyway, there is a list of 22 inventors posted on the main page of this site who have already made 100 fold the $25 invested. I think this list still needs to be updated. It is in any event, too early to quantify the success rate, but an important success indication is there in plain view.

If EN needs more credentials: they are a filial company of the leading publication of inventing in the world; and also of 2 times winning TV program “Everyday Edisons” on PBS.

I don’t know what your agenda is, but please take it somewhere else. I don’t think you are suited to be an inquisitor.

I believe that we need EN. I don’t believe that anybody needs you. Please, back off.

Unless i am mistaken ENventys is a invention promotion and development co. and they are affiliated with Edison nation.

“Invention promoter” is defined in the statute as any entity “who offers to perform or performs invention promotion services for, or on behalf of, a customer, and who holds itself out through advertising in any mass media as providing such services.” “Invention promotion services” are defined as the procurement or attempted procurement for a customer to develop and market products or services that include the invention of the customer”

I didn’t write this….Congress did.

Edison Nation does not fall into that category. We have a whole team of IP attorneys who are very careful to be sure that remains the case. As Joaco pointed out, we differ in all aspects. He also made a good point in describing our success rate to-date. If anybody would like further information on the act, you’ll have to ask your patent attorney for clarification as we can not offer legal advice – nor should others who are not attorneys.

Karl, Enventys is a service for hire business, not any sort of invention promotion company. The first thing a prospective client at Enventys will hear is that it is the responsibility of the client to bring their product to market – Enventys provides the industrial design, engineering, branding, packaging, public relations, video production and web development needed to help but does not bring the product to market nor make any guarantees as such.

Sorry Matt,I retract the word promotion.

This is me pushing the “like” button. Good stuff!

Everyone here knows Edison Nation is different from the “product submission companies” that ask for thousands of dollars to develop your product and then only 5 or so out of 10,000 ever even make a decent profit to speak of.

Anyone that can’t see Edison Nation is different is just an amateur and does not know any better or just looking to attack Edison Nation and that would just be an act of stupidity.

Anyone with experience can see that Edison Nation will be one of the “big dogs” when the smoke clears from this terrible economic storm.

EVERYONE…DO NOT ASK for Edison Nation’s “numbers” because I will tell you what they are…THEY SUCK…just like my numbers and everyone else’s in the past few years and are NOT a fair indicator. The toilet paper manufacturer we sell fall protection harnesses to…they say their numbers SUCK too and they don’t understand…how could people cut back on toilet paper?

NOW LISTEN TO ME…don’t listen to anyone trying any way they can to break down Edison Nation. I have once again the largest infomercial production company calling me numerous times and I tell them the same…I’m not ready for them yet. Nobody else here can say the largest infomercials call them all the time…SO LISTEN TO ME…forget Edison Nations numbers or what they are doing now because ALL companies are HURTING…but you wanna be friends with them or whatever….trust me…you’ll see why in a few years at the most.

Mark…please stop saying the experts are all on your site and the answers to inventing questions can only be answered correctly on your site…and in another post you said EN is just an invention broker and poor for helping an inventor develop their product. That’s the way you said it. You should see all the great work EN did for the Emery Cat all over TV now!!! How is that for an EN accomplishment in a damn depression Mark?

Now you are trying to dig up bad numbers on EN and compare them to invention submission companies…looking to pill up dirt on EN.

Why Mark? Have you gone crazy? When is it time for you to stop? You spent a year here enjoying the place. You and I had many many friendly talks. Why attack EN like that? Anyone that needs to attack others for one loses all credibility.

IT’S A DEPRESSION MAN…leave EN alone…we are all on the brink. These people are trying hard!!!!!!!! Why you gotta try and break them?

You know what…I’m a better man than you Mark…MUCH better….Do you know why I’m here? I told you but I’ll tell you again. 3 TIMES they showcases me in their magazine when they knew they would not make a dime out of me. These are good guys man…..so don’t say anything bad anymore…and we got all the experts we need here with PILES of information in back posts which YOU helped build.

What’s up with you man??? You changed! As far as EN’s numbers…you know some people come up with some wacky shit and submit it. I’ve seen some….but if people hang here on the forum and learn they have a real good chance with EN…and if not, learning how to further develop their idea to be better.

Please stop Mark. You have been making a complete mockery of this place with your strategically placed shots at EN and meanwhile getting people to know you so they come to your site.

Last time you were here you broke this place with starting controversy which started fights. STOP…not again!

It may be obvious now you are trying to break this place. Only the very experienced can catch what you are doing..the rest it is above their heads.

Last, EN is too big and too good for you to hurt in the end. Only you will get hurt. I like this place…and so do others. Please respect it.

Plesae let’s just keep it impersonal and cool (As much as it may be possible, anyway). All the heat actually makes the pictures wavy and unclear, when the picture and the facts are overwhelmengly clear and simple.

The heat does not help any cause. Let’s also be respectful of this site, and its host. They have some rules, that are not very rigidly enforced. Please, let’s be grateful and not abuse of their hospitality.

I think important points have been made. As Matt indicated, if you have legal concerns. talk to an atttorney.

For once I agree with Joaco – this is counterproductive.

The post was about these companies that rip off inventors. I never meant to imply that EN was ripping anyone off. I don’t know that firsthand about EN or any other company that deals with inventors.
I do know that if you feel like you are getting ripped off, or you feel like ANY company you are dealing with is a scam. The inventor protection act is there to help you. If you want to know the statistical data associated with how many inventors actually made money using the services of a company that promotes inventions, then ask them to provide that information. If they don’t or won’t, then simply send their rejection to the attorney General’s office for the state they are registered in. If after reviewing the services offered by that company against the standards of the law it appears they fall under the Inventor Protection Act, then the AG will send that company a formal request on your behalf to obtain the information for you.

That is how the process works – Not just for invention promotion companies like EN, but for everyone.