anyone use inventright.com

[marcellomaggio]

hello has anyone used the services provided at inventright.com or a similar service and if so is it worth the money. I understand that no matter how good the information or service provided it doesn't matter unless you have a good product and alot of drive to push it. Before I spend $399 on inventright.com I need to get some impartial feedback. Thanks Marcello

[TPapp]

I'm in the patent application process right now and I haven't used any services like that, it's not needed. What I've heard and read about those types of services is that they are no good. The searches they do are not adequate and the applications they file on your behalf might not even be correct, plus how do you know they aren't just ripping you off? Of all the reviews I read online not one was positive for any company offering $300 patent filings. My advice: DO NOT USE THEM!

It is not difficult to do your own patent or trademark filing. I did the search myself, am having my artist father make the drawings (find a friend or family member to do yours) and will type up the description of the artwork myself. It is a lot easier than it seems.

But if you truly feel you want someone elses expert advice than I would suggest a real patent attorney. Expensive yes, but peace of mind costs that much.

[Frank]

I'm in the patent application process right now and I haven't used any services like that, it's not needed. What I've heard and read about those types of services is that they are no good. The searches they do are not adequate and the applications they file on your behalf might not even be correct, plus how do you know they aren't just ripping you off? Of all the reviews I read online not one was positive for any company offering $300 patent filings. My advice: DO NOT USE THEM!

It is not difficult to do your own patent or trademark filing. I did the search myself, am having my artist father make the drawings (find a friend or family member to do yours) and will type up the description of the artwork myself. It is a lot easier than it seems.

But if you truly feel you want someone elses expert advice than I would suggest a real patent attorney. Expensive yes, but peace of mind costs that much.

InventRight is not the same sort of service as the ones you are referring to. I have not purchased their system but I did sit in on some of their telephone seminars and have talked personally with one of the owners.

Their main focus seems to be on having the inventor get a provisional patent ("Patent pending") and then concentrating on marketing and selling the license to the product.

The provisional patent only costs a little over $100 (unless it's gone up recently) and protects the idea for one year. After the one year it's either get the patent or lose the protection, but it gives you a year to go out and market the idea.

Again, I haven't used them myself but they seem to be legit from what I've seen and heard.

[Sven]

Sorry guys, you are WRONG.

If you say that filing a patent application is easy, you are misleading yourself and others.

Sure, what you need to DO to get a patent approved is doable by most. But a patent is not about having it approved, it is about being held up in court should it come to that.

You do not want your patent turned useless because of a wrong description. That is the kind of nitty gritty patents are about.

So unless you have a lot of practice, do not go the cheap route, it is a waste of money and keeps you away from actually selling the stuff.

Oh, one more thing, in the US more stuff can be patented than most other countries. That may be good if you aim for a local market but for an international market DIY patents may even be more useless.

[TPapp]

Sorry guys, you are WRONG.

If you say that filing a patent application is easy, you are misleading yourself and others.

Sure, what you need to DO to get a patent approved is doable by most. But a patent is not about having it approved, it is about being held up in court should it come to that.

You do not want your patent turned useless because of a wrong description. That is the kind of nitty gritty patents are about.

So unless you have a lot of practice, do not go the cheap route, it is a waste of money and keeps you away from actually selling the stuff.

Oh, one more thing, in the US more stuff can be patented than most other countries. That may be good if you aim for a local market but for an international market DIY patents may even be more useless.

There are plenty of really good books that can take you along the entire process. A provisional patent can be changed if need be, so if you find you've made your original design better or realise you've left something out it's ok. Also, if you've invented something it is imperative that you get the provisional patent before you start marketing and selling it. Not comfortable doing it yourself? Than, like I said, hire a patent attorney before you pay a few hundred dollars for some service....you get what you pay for.

[Sven]

NO, NO, NO!

Sorry, I have to be loud here. If you say that you can write a patent yourself it is on the same level as defending yourself in court. Is it cheap. Yes. Does that mean it is a good idea too?

Since I'm in to 80/20, I will not carry on any further. Best of luck in making money with the product!

[marcellomaggio]

thanks to all that replied. I was refering to the help in the marketing and selling of the license as well as the whole process that inventright.com alledgedly provides. I just hate wasting money. I suppose I will call them and ask some direct questions before I make my decision to buy or not.:)

[edjt]

Guys,

I would listen to what Sven is saying if I were you. Have you looked at his home page? He is an inventor - enough said.

Ed

[webgal]

I know Sven has at least one patent and maybe more. My friend Holden has several and I can tell you it was not easy.

[JKohlbach]

I agree.. sure go for the patent pending, but at least get someone to look it over. Wording is VERY important. Steve from inventright has been doing this literally for years, so it's understandable that he's able to do a lot of it himself. However, if you have an idea that is worth a lot (and may be worth protecting if it really is that valuable) then get a patent lawyer to look it over.

It comes down to this: If someone copies your idea and you can't defend it via your patent's wording it's not worth the paper it's written on. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars wasted.