Invention promotion scams

Invention Promotion Company Scams and How to Avoid Them

By Mr. Work @ Home, Publisher of WorkAtHomeTruth.com

Have a Great Idea? Watch out for these common invention promotion company traps...

If you're an inventor and have a great idea, you're well aware that an idea on its own does not equal commercial success. It must be marketed and sold. Countless numbers of inventors attempt to do this by either selling their idea to a manufacturer (who will pay them royalties), which is quite an arduous task, or trust an invention or patent promotional firm.

The issue is that many of these promotional firms are scams, set up to take financial advantage of the enthusiastic inventor. Inventors will pay thousands of dollars to these firms to do market research, develop and patent their idea- being promised money and the world- only to find their finances wasted.

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Sometimes it may be difficult to distinguish a real promotional firm over a fraudulent one, but here are some pointers to look out for that are typical of fraudulent companies:

They refuse to provide (in writing) information like: how many ideas they have represented, how many ideas they have rejected, who their clients are, and which invention promotion companies they have been affiliated with in the last ten years. They should also provide success stories and references or contact information of these clients. Check with your State Attorney General's office as to whether success rate disclosures are required by law.

They insist on advance payment - yet also insist that they make their money from royalties. Reputable firms usually work on a contingency basis, and there is no real reason why the company in question shouldn't be able to work this way.

They claim that they have done patent searches and market research, and yet cannot provide any information or official records of the supposed research. They must be able to provide details from a patent attorney along with contact details.

The pushy salesman claims that their 'extensive' research has shown that your idea is unique, but then insists you sign up immediately before someone else patents your idea.

They can't provide details as to who their 'professional' staff is, or background information on the company or the people involved. The salesman is also very difficult to contact by phone.

They offer you a money-back guarantee if the patent does not issue

Reputable companies are actually very picky when it comes to signing someone up, and are realistic about the risks involved. If the company is over-eager and unrealistic, beware.

They have very slick TV or radio campaigns Ð ask why they don't spend all that money on promoting the inventions they represent instead of themselves.

Check up on the company by calling the U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at 1-866-767-3848. You can also call the Consumer Protection Society, or the Better Business Bureau, or the Attorney General for your city or state to run check ups on any promotional company or known scams. You need to do proper research on the promotional company (and the firm itself should be helpful in this regard) to ensure you are not being taken advantage of in any way.

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