Inventor Lady

Category: Intellectual Property

  • Getting to Market: It is NOT about the Patent

    So many inventors believe that if you can get a patent you can get to market. These are two different issues and while they are related they are not dependent on each other. You do NOT need a patent to go to market. You need a patent to negotiate. Find the market The most important…

  • Patent Searches: Running Off to Your Attorney Early May be a Mistake

    The first thing the average inventor does when he or she first conceives of a new invention is to run off to a patent attorney.  This is done under the mistaken belief that the attorney is capable of producing all the “magic” that will culminate, eventually, in the inventor retiring to some tropical island and…

  • Patents Attorneys Do NOT Do Marketing!

    A few weeks ago someone commented on one of my blogs.  I was about to reply, indicating that I strongly disagreed, but instead I decided to wait, to think about my reaction, and to ask some of my seasoned inventor friends (and a few patent attorneys) before responding.  After considerable deliberation, I decided it was…

  • The Cost of Patenting

    I had a client call me last week for the sole purpose of venting.  It seems that she had received an office action from the USPTO and was upset over how much it was going to cost her to have her attorney answer the office action.   Her telephone call caused me to reflect and resulted ultimately…

  • Inventor Warning: Caution is the Keyword in Dealing with IPHC’s

    I recently had a call from a patent attorney who wanted me to introduce him to my clients so that he could offer to buy their intellectual property from them. He has, what is called, an “Intellectual Property Holding Company” or “IPHC”. IPHC’s come in essentially three different flavors.  The first category consists of those…

  • The Inventor’s Business Plan

    Inventors frequently swing to two extremes when it comes to their business plan. The first one is simply: have idea – get patent – make money.  I can’t even tell you how many ways this is a flawed plan.  This plan is relevant only in fantasy land and real inventors can’t afford to live in…

  • How Important is a Trademark?

    Your trademark can be as valuable to you as a patent and possibly more.  Consumers identify with your trademark, not your patent.  Most consumers don’t care if you have a patent as long as you have a great product.  When was the last time you went into a store and looked for a patent number? …

  • Do You Need An International Patent Search?

    Inventors frequently tell me that they were advised by one source or another that an international patent search is not necessary if they don’t plan to sell outside of the US.  I would like all inventors to understand that an international search is a critical part of all GOOD Patent Searches.  If something has been…

  • Inventor Paranoia

    Inventors are frequently afraid someone will steal their idea.  Some paranoia is good.  Too much is crippling.  You have to find a balance between protecting your idea and being able to get your idea incorporated into a tangible product that you can get to the marketplace.  Here are some guidelines: 1.    You can talk in…

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