Kim Laney (at right), Inventor of Travel Feet Foot Covers and the Adjustable Hat Rack was a guest recently on KXYL 96.9FM in Dallas talking about how she got started, the invention process, and more.
Check it out by clicking on play button
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Thanks to these stations who have recently interviewed Kim about her invention ideas:
Click below:
Part 2 - Click below:
You've Invented Something...
Now What!?
After you have a great idea, you are probably wondering, "What I should I do next?" Well, if you are planning on filing for patent protection for your invention, here are a few things you should know before you spend any money.
A patent allows the inventor (you) the exclusive right to stop others from making, using, and selling the invention. If anyone else tries to sell or manufacture your idea, it gives you the right to stop infringers and sue for damages and other legal remedies. However, patents can be expensive, and I teach people how to get your product sold on a budget. Here's what you need to know.
I know you are excited about your idea, and you want to protect it before someone else thinks of it...but slow down and search things out first.
Remember that 70% of patents do not make any money. This step will help you avoid being one of those. Do a thorough search online or a formal patent search before you file for a patent. If you can find the exact invention idea with all of the same features, you probably won't be able to get a patent for it. But that does not mean that you are out of the game...
Go to www.Google.com/images and search your invention idea. If you are inventing a new and improved widget, put "widget" in the search box, and it will bring up every image of widgets available online. Once you see the widget, you can click on the link to determine if it has the same benefits as yours. If it does, do not get discouraged... justmake yours better.
You have not spent any money, and you will save yourself a lot of time by searching before spending. If all of the widgets available do the same thing, improve on it. Add features that you would like to see on a widget or go back to the drawing board. But whatever you do, don't start spending money on an idea that is already available. When I talk about improvements, I am speaking of improvements to the function of the item - not the look or color of the item. Ask yourself, "Can I improve the function of the widget?"
Begin to brainstorm what features would be cool and new and never seen before on a widget. Think of every feature that you can to add to the functionality and purpose of the widget, and you may be on your way to making a better widget and a patentable invention!
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