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6 comments

Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

Posted January 24, 2012 9:58 AM

While some inventors do strike it rich, commercializing an idea is a long, complex process that requires time, money, and patience. Are you a do-it-yourselfer with a garage full of interesting contraptions or a notebook filled with sketches for the latest and greatest idea? Are you considering a patent for one of your ideas? What about marketing your product to a wider audience? Does your company have intellectual property rules that prohibit you from going it alone?

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Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member United Kingdom - Member - New Member

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Harlow England
Posts: 15211
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#1

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/24/2012 10:35 AM

Yeah...
Lend money at 15%
Borrow it at 0.3%
Works for the banks, and even if it doesn't some poor saps will still bail you out.
Del

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Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: at the beach in Florida
Posts: 5506
Good Answers: 272
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/24/2012 1:33 PM

No good if they don't pay you back.... Ya gotta' pay those bailouts back,,,with interest...

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Power-User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North West England
Posts: 357
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#4
In reply to #2

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/25/2012 4:09 AM

Not necessarily.....

Del & I are in the UK. Here the government will bail you out, split up the bad toxic bits from the good profitable bits, very generously give away the bad bits (to the taxpayers), and sell the good bits back to you a fraction of their real value.

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Guru

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Tamilnadu, India
Posts: 810
Good Answers: 40
#3

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/24/2012 1:55 PM

Very insightful article written by an inventor himself who had experienced the journey of idea, patent, product & market.

Whereas corporates can afford for the huge money for patent, the poor financial resources of the solo inventors is always the money barrier.

With the huge international patenting costs involved, the strain on inventors is too high to manage finance for patenting, as well capacity building to bring out a commercially viable product or service.

Typically for solo inventors, unless one makes cautious movements, success is too hard to taste.

The story of Edison who had filed almost 1300 patents sounds unbelievable, but he had made his inventions come true to benefit mankind for ever.

So, it all means that invention alone is not sufficient but the innovation part of successfully bringing the invention to reality & the sustenance, patience involved in the development path is more worthy.

Realistic perceptions without any bias & love to one's own invention should save inventors from day dreams / frustrations.

New things are always challenged in initial stages, but once proven & people realize the value & benefit, rest of the things are taken care.

Every invention is unique by it's nature & specific case studies and approach are inevitable.

Worthy article & useful tips. Thanks for the nice post.

An inventor sailing on the same boat.

S.Udhayamarthandan

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Guru

Join Date: Jun 2007
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#5

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/25/2012 4:10 AM

Well said Del. GA

Remember the golden rules - they who have the gold rules!

This means if you have an invention, do not mess about - sell sell sell.

Patents, copyright, legalities, all money lost needlessly. (imo)

I would lodge an initial copyright document / patent for a nominal fee. (proof)

and then, everything will depend on how much money you secure, because...

Remember the golden rules - they who have the gold rules!

If you sell well, you will have the capital to defend it, if it doesn't sell...... end.

jt.

Life is a bowl of cherries, but they have to be in season.

(made that one up myself - ok, it shows)

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Commentator

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 61
#6

Re: Got a "Million Dollar" Idea?

01/25/2012 10:17 AM

to go it alone here is what i have been through

Well after 5 years and countless boxes of kraft dinner (no name) you may see the light at the end of the tunnel. you test then retest then have your results tested and then told its wrong ! then go and get manufactures to make parts chances are after the first 50 or 60 grand you will find out who not to use. you will also need to morgage the crap outa everything you own. you will not dubt get a new wife or 2 as they will tell you to get a job. as well if that is not all the flamming from the crowd here ! going to events for the industry are wild people point and stare.

all i can say drink beer grow a spine and tell people that laugh at you to go away

we are going to licence a charging patent for lithium and i may own my house again have eat regular Kraft dinner

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