August Newsletter 2024

August 2024

Whether you’re an experienced inventor or a newbie who just came up with your first big idea, the Inventor Smart Monthly Newsletter is for you!
You’ll find valuable tips, useful resources, and words of wisdom that can help move your invention ideas forward!

Essential First Steps for Inventors in Turning Your Product Idea into Reality

1. Capture Your Idea: Start with an idea in your head, on a napkin, text, email, or leave yourself a voice message to capture your idea before it disappears!

2. Intellectual Property Protection: Attempt for intellectual property protection, including provisional, design, non-provisional or utility patent, and/or trademark.

3. Bring Your Product to Life: Create computer drawings (CAD), identify materials needed, and make a prototype.

4. Prepare for Licensing: Get ready for licensees and representation.

5. Manufacturing Preparation: Get quotes for production and tooling, and explore broker representation.

6. Marketing: Develop packaging, sales sheets, demo videos, and prepare your pitch to retailers, along with building your web and social media presence.

7. Decision Making: Choose between licensing, manufacturing, and discussing distribution channels—box big retailers, catalogs, as seen on TV, specialty retailers, online retailers, etc.

8. Increase Opportunities: Get some press coverage for your invention!

9. Enjoy the Process: Make some $$!

10. Repeat the Process: Start all over again!

Learn more here

How to Bring Your Invention Idea to Market with Little Money

Got a Brilliant Invention Idea but Short on Funds? Here’s Your Roadmap to Success!

Market Research: Understand your target market, identify competitors, and leverage free tools like Google Trends, social media analysis, and survey platforms. Reach out to niche communities, and tap into libraries and online forums for insights.
Prototyping: Start with DIY methods using household materials or basic prototyping software. Seek feedback from friends and family. Consider outsourcing for affordable prototyping services or when professional help is essential for complex inventions.
Funding Options (Even with No Money): Explore crowdfunding platforms, understand their pros and cons, and tailor your campaign to inventions. Research grants (if eligible), and consider creative bootstrapping strategies like pre-selling and bartering services.
Develop a Prototype and Adopt a Lean Approach: Build a basic prototype of your invention to demonstrate its functionality and gather feedback. This helps validate your idea and guide further development.
Perseverance and Adaptability: View challenges as learning opportunities. Be prepared to pivot your approach as you learn and grow throughout the invention process.

Learn More Here

Recap of July’s National Inventor Club Meeting – INVENTORS GOT TALENT

Our first-ever Inventors Got Talent event was a resounding success, bringing together a community of innovators to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. The event was filled with excitement as talented inventors presented their products and prototypes in live pitches, followed by community voting to select the top inventions. The atmosphere was electric, with inventors passionately sharing the inspiration behind their creations and demonstrating their innovative solutions.

Event Highlights:

Live Pitches: Inventors had approximately 4 minutes each to pitch their ideas, explain their development process, and outline future plans.
Audience Engagement: Hundreds of votes were cast by our community members to determine the winners in different categories.
Special Awards: Attendees, voters, and presenters received special recognition and prizes for their participation, including exclusive badges and discounts.
Top Inventions: The most innovative inventions were recognized, with special shout-outs to our winners: –

-Most Innovative Invention: David Chaney – @BetterGrip Paint Roller

-Best Everyday Solution: @Steve Ayre – @Smile Glides LLC

-Audience Favorite: Bruce Ahmes – Serenity Tub

If you missed the event or want to relive the excitement, you can watch the full recording here. We encourage you to share it with others who may be inspired by the creativity and innovation on display.

Thank you to everyone who participated, voted, and supported this event. Your enthusiasm and dedication helped make Inventors Got Talent an unforgettable experience. We look forward to seeing you at our future events!

Become a NIC Member to stay connected and be the first to know about upcoming events and opportunities!

USPTO Director Kathi Vidal’s Blog

Working Together to Tackle Patent and Trademark Pendency

An efficient and reliable intellectual property (IP) system is critical to innovating, brand building, creating jobs, and solving problems, both here in the United States and around the world. That is why, in addition to our critical policy work—including issuing guidance, engaging in rulemaking, participating in international measures and treaties, providing technical assistance to Congress, and working in the courts—we at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have been laser-focused on our operations, including, importantly, pendency.

Read here

The Got Invention Show features a 30-minute interview where an inventor promotes an invention, seeks a licensing deal, or looks for distribution opportunities. Host Brian Fried focuses on his guest’s challenges and solutions. He asks about their journey, where they are right now, and what will come next. He invites guests to offer words of wisdom to viewers and listeners.

Watch the latest episode of the Got Invention Show with the founders of PickFu , Justin Chen and John Li. Discover how they transformed a common business challenge into a groundbreaking platform. Learn about the moment of inspiration that led to PickFu’s creation and the clever origin of its name. From product design refinement to marketing strategy optimization, PickFu empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions by providing instant consumer insights. This episode explores how PickFu has revolutionized industries like e-commerce, Amazon, and publishing. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the platform’s journey and its impact on the business world.

Click Here to Watch the Interview

Words from an Inventor

“Joining the Inventor Smart Community helped me realize that we are all on a journey/pathway to success. All of our journeys will have different pathways and routes, but ultimately we all have a similar objective. How soon you reach your objective depends on how well we use our mentors and resources in this Community.” – Abraham Espadas

Abraham Espadas Inventor – NIC Member Santa Ana, California

Abraham transitioned from construction management to becoming a full-time inventor. He’s currently working on a product with a prototype expected by May 2024. Abraham joined the Inventor Smart Community to connect with like-minded inventors and leverage the mentors and resources available here to help achieve his goals.

Invention History: Rudolf Diesel, Inventor of the Diesel Engine

Rudolf Diesel, Inventor of the Diesel Engine

August 9, 1898: Rudolf Diesel of France was granted patent Number 608,845 for an “internal combustion engine” known as the Diesel engine.

The engine that bears his name set off a new chapter in the Industrial Revolution, but German engineer Rudolf Diesel (1858–1913), who grew up in France, initially thought his invention would help small businesses and artisans, not industrialists. In truth, diesel engines are commonplace in vehicles of all types, especially those that have to pull heavy loads (trucks or trains) or do a lot of work, such as on a farm or in a power plant.

For this one improvement to an engine, his impact on the world is clear today. But his death more than a century ago remains a mystery.

Learn more here

Inventor Spotlight: Steve Ayre and Smile Glides

Discover the inspiring journey of Steve Ayre, the inventor behind Smile Glides, on our latest episode of the Inventor Spotlight Podcast, hosted by Samantha St. Raymond. Smile Glides are stylish, interchangeable walker glides with a patented universal leg insert, allowing users to personalize their walkers with themes like the “Flowerpot,” and soon, other designs like baseballs and holiday ornaments.

Born from Steve’s personal health challenges, Smile Glides provide a durable, fun alternative to traditional tennis balls, adding joy and conversation to the walker experience. These innovative glides will soon be available online. Watch the episode on YouTube or visit the Event Page for more details.

Exclusive Opportunity for Premium Insider Members: Join the Inventor Spotlight Podcast to showcase your invention and connect with our community. Sign up here. Read more about Steve’s story in our Inventor Spotlight article.

AI Copyright Case Update: California Court Issues Mixed Order

A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in the case of Andersen v. Stability AI LTD has brought attention to the complex issues surrounding AI and copyright law. The lawsuit involves claims by artists that their copyrighted works were used without permission to train the AI software Stable Diffusion, which outputs images “in the style” of their works.

Judge William H. Orrick issued a mixed order, granting in part and denying in part the Defendants’ motions to dismiss. Key points include the court’s decision to allow the claims against Stability AI regarding induced copyright infringement to proceed, drawing comparisons to the Grokster case. However, the court dismissed the Plaintiffs’ Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claims due to a lack of identicality between the original and output images.

The case also involves Defendants Runway AI, Midjourney, Inc., and DeviantArt, each facing various copyright and trademark-related claims. The court found plausible claims against all Defendants, including false endorsement and trade dress claims against Midjourney and DeviantArt, allowing these aspects of the lawsuit to proceed to discovery.

Read the full article for more details on this pivotal AI copyright case that could have significant implications for the tech and creative industries.

What Happens if I Don’t Patent My Inventions?

If you don’t patent your invention, competitors may well take advantage of it. If the product is successful, many other competitor firms will be tempted to make the same product by using your invention without needing to ask for your permission. Larger enterprises may take advantage of economies of scale to produce the product more cheaply and compete at a more favorable market price. This may considerably reduce your company’s market share for that product. Even small competing enterprises may be able to produce the same product, and often sell it at a lower price as they would not have to recoup the original research and development costs incurred by your company.

Learn more here

Inventor Smart Community Meet & Greet – August 2024 Recap

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our August Meet & Greet! Hosted by our esteemed VP of Community, Samantha St. Raymond, and Head of Community, Shawn Taylor, this event was a fantastic opportunity for members to connect, introduce themselves, and welcome new faces into our community. It was an amazing time filled with networking, insightful conversations, and the building of valuable connections.

If you missed the live event or just want to relive the great moments, the recording is available. Click below to watch and see how our community connects and shares insights!

Watch the August Meet & Greet

Don’t miss out on our next monthly Meet & Greet in September! This is your chance to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community, where you can forge new connections and enrich your networking circle. We look forward to seeing you there!

Proud Sponsors and Supporters

We are grateful for the support from our esteemed partners who provide valuable resources and special offers to the Inventor Smart Community and National Inventors Club. Check out their services and take advantage of the exclusive benefits available to our members.

Fiverr: Get access to a vast marketplace of freelance services. Use our exclusive link for special benefits.

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PickFu: Obtain instant consumer insights on your product designs, images, and copy. Use coupon code INVENTOR for a special discount.

PickFu

Soona: Create high-quality photos and videos for your products with ease. Explore special offers through our link.

Soona

PatentAwards: Celebrate your patent achievements with beautifully crafted awards. Check out exclusive offers for our community.

PatentAwards

The Patent Professor: John Rizvi offers expert patent law services. Discover more about protecting your ideas through our link.

The Patent Professor

Book Club Meeting: August 2024 Meetup

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 21st, at 8 PM ET, for our next Book Club meeting. Engage in lively discussions and exchange ideas with fellow inventors as we explore this month’s selected book. Stay tuned for more details on the book we’ll be reading, and make sure to join us for an insightful and interactive session!

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
Time: 8 PM ET
Location: Zoom – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81665067096

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with other inventors and learn from each other. More information about the book will be shared soon, so stay tuned!

Learn more and join the event

Add event to calendar:

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Ask an Expert: Q&A Session Hosted by Brian Fried – The Inventor Coach

Cap off the month with an exclusive opportunity to engage directly with Brian Fried in our Live Virtual Hangout on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, at 8 PM ET. This interactive Q&A session invites you to bring forth your burning questions, innovative ideas, or any curiosities you have about the world of invention and entrepreneurship. It’s not just a conversation; it’s a chance to gain valuable insights, advice, and inspiration from an expert renowned for his contributions and success.

Whether you’re an aspiring inventor, a seasoned entrepreneur, or simply eager to learn more about the journey of innovation, this session promises to be an enriching experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn from one of the best in the field!

Join Live: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82831401676

Ask a Question: Submit your questions here

Add event to calendar

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Download the Inventor Smart Community App

Stay connected, access exclusive resources, and join a vibrant community of inventors. The Inventor Smart Community App is your hub for networking, learning, and sharing ideas.

Don’t miss out – download the app now and take your inventions to the next level!

Discover the insights and strategies from Brian Fried “The Inventor Coach,” in his latest book. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your invention journey, this book is packed with valuable advice. Order your paperback or Kindle copy now!

A shop for Inventors, innovators and patent holders - Check out InventorMart.com!

About Brian Fried

Inventor. Speaker. Coach. Author. Radio & TV Host. Founder.

Brian Fried, known as “The Inventor Coach,” is a highly accomplished innovator, author, and speaker. With 15 patents to his name, he has successfully licensed and manufactured his own inventions, gaining recognition through QVC, infomercials, catalogs, and major retailers. For over 18 years, Brian has been working closely with inventors, providing one-on-one coaching as an invention licensing agent and guiding inventors in commercializing their ideas into tangible products.

As an expert speaker, Brian captivates audiences with his engaging talks on innovation and invention. He has authored three books, offering practical advice and strategies for aspiring inventors. In addition to his speaking and writing endeavors, Brian hosts the “Got Invention Show,” a platform that showcases inventors and their creations, providing them with valuable exposure.

Brian is the founder of the National Inventor Club, a community that supports and connects inventors, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities. He serves as the Chief Invention Officer of Inventor Smart, an invention consultancy that assists inventors in bringing their ideas to fruition.

In October 2023, Brian officially launched the Inventor Smart Community, an innovative social media and resource center exclusively designed for inventors. The app, now available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store, aims to create a vibrant community where inventors can connect, share ideas, and access valuable resources.

With his extensive experience, resourcefulness, and commitment to helping inventors succeed, Brian Fried has become a trusted figure in the invention industry. Inventors and aspiring innovators can rely on his expertise and guidance to navigate the complexities of the invention process and turn their ideas into reality.

brianfried.com | inventorsmart.app | brian@inventorsmart.com

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