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35 Replies Last post: Oct 22, 2008 12:03 AM by LouisForeman

Event: Getting your invention off the ground

Mar 12, 2009 11:16 AM

Click to view SBOCTeam's profile sboc SBOCTeam 328 posts since
Jul 27, 2007
Are you full of great ideas but don't know how to bring them to life? Think you've invented the next best thing and don't know where to go from there? Join us on October 20 when Louis Foreman answers those questions in addition to:

  • How do I apply for a patent?
  • Who can help me with market research?
  • Who can help me make a prototype?
  • Should I manufacture my product in the U.S. or overseas?
  • What reputable patent attorneys and agents are in my area?
  • How can I commercialize my product once it's manufactured?

Louis Foreman is founder and Chief Executive of Enventys, an integrated product design and engineering firm with offices in Charlotte, NC and Taiwan. Over the past 20 years, Louis has created 5 successful start-ups and has been directly responsible for the creation of over 10 others. A prolific inventor, he is the inventor of 9 registered US Patents, and his firm is responsible for the development and filing of well over 150 more.

In addition to being an inventor, Louis is also committed to educating others on the topic of intellectual property. Louis is the creator, executive producer and lead judge of the Emmy® award-winning national PBS reality show, Everyday Edisons. In 2007, Louis became the publisher of Inventors Digest, a 20-year-old publication devoted to the topic of American Innovation.

Post your question here and then check back on October 20 at 3:00PM EST for Louis' reply. You can also pose a question any time during the event hour.
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,932 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 3, 2008 6:25 PM
Help with Marketing Research

My son has been in the janitorial business for the past 9 years. He had 6 employees but lost
an account and was forced to lay-off 3. He need to improve the business. He have people that can help him search for new customers both by phone and or direct
contact. He need to do a Marketing Plan and Marketing Research.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help
Click to view CommunityTeam's profile sboc CommunityTeam 132 posts since
Jul 27, 2007
2. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 13, 2008 3:13 PM

We know you're busy - so we are taking advance questions if you are unable to particiapte on Oct. 20. Go ahead, post your question now!
Click to view Invest4Wealth's profile Professional Invest4Wealth 4 posts since
Oct 14, 2008
3. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 14, 2008 7:05 PM
I'm new...is this an event we can attend via teleseminar/webinar? Thanks!
Click to view SBOCTeam's profile sboc SBOCTeam 328 posts since
Jul 27, 2007
4. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 15, 2008 9:53 AM
in response to: Invest4Wealth
Hi Invest4Wealth and welcome to the Community!

The event is solely forum based and will occur right here on this thread. Posting your question to Louis in advance of October 20th ensures that your question is one of the first to be answered.

You may post your questions any time during the event hour, however he may not get to all of them.

What's your invention question?
Click to view Invest4Wealth's profile Professional Invest4Wealth 4 posts since
Oct 14, 2008
5. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 16, 2008 2:17 PM
in response to: SBOCTeam
In a addition to the questions already posted, some additional questions would be, when or how do you know if the idea you have warrants a patent? What is the depth of protection that a patent gives an inventor and for how long? Is more or less detail important in creating the patent for protection? What does the patent process look like from start to finish?

If I think of others, I'll add them later. Thank you!
Click to view caffeinated's profile Mogul caffeinated 175 posts since
Apr 29, 2008
6. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 17, 2008 2:11 PM
Does a prototype have to be in complete working order to obtain a patent? How do you protect your idea while the prototype is being fine-tuned?

-caffeinated
Click to view mominbiz's profile Authority mominbiz 11 posts since
May 28, 2008
7. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 17, 2008 4:03 PM
Hi Louis, Thanks for being on. I am a stay at home mom who has been thinking about getting into business for myself. Can you tell me, from your perspective, waht the pro's and con's of design patents are?
Click to view start_up's profile Authority start_up 11 posts since
May 29, 2008
8. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 17, 2008 4:10 PM
Louis,

Do you ever use deliberate processes to come up with your inventions, or are they all mroe light bulb moments? There was an interesting Malcolm Gladwell article about some silicon valley group that does patent brainstorming sessions where they take big problems and issues, invite smart people and then try to dream up great ideas. If they get something good enough, they patent it and then take a sub-set to market. Would you recommend a struggling start-up consider a process liek that or do you believe more in kismet (spelling).
Click to view FCPainter's profile Mogul FCPainter 83 posts since
Jan 8, 2008
9. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 17, 2008 4:16 PM
I have an idea for an invention that would make painting houses easier, and I know the process is to submit a patent. However, I don't have the funds to hire the attorney and the patent fees. I also don't want to market my idea to a company without a patent, in fear of losing it. It there anything I can do?

Like, in a legal way to protect my idea but still market it to a company without a patent? Or some kind of funding for such things? Thanks
Click to view mistataco693's profile Authority mistataco693 17 posts since
Oct 16, 2008
10. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 19, 2008 6:26 PM
Looking for angel investors to take a record label to the next level. The company has been in business since 2006, has a full studio, has a group signed and the group's CD is expected to be released in February 2009.

They are looking to upgrade the studio/equipment, expand the company worldwide and sign more artists.

What is the next step and where do we find angel investors? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Lynda
Click to view Invest4Wealth's profile Professional Invest4Wealth 4 posts since
Oct 14, 2008
11. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 20, 2008 2:44 AM
Louis,

Could you please give some insight on the pros and cons of manufacturing overseas vs say in Mexico? This would be for a product requiring fabric and sewing skills.
Could you please comment on costs associated with having an idea patented? What are we up against? Things to watch out for? How long does it take for a patent to be established? Where does one begin in figuring out whom to contact for manufucturing?
Click to view colonny's profile Professional colonny 3 posts since
Oct 20, 2008
12. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 20, 2008 2:03 PM

I made a beverage at home and believe it would make a great cocktail mixer or straight over ice. There is nothing like it on the market. The ingredients are simple. Where do I start?
Click to view SBOCTeam's profile sboc SBOCTeam 328 posts since
Jul 27, 2007
13. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 20, 2008 2:59 PM
Hi Community,

Please join me in welcoming Louis Foreman to the SBOC.

Shall we get started?

Louis, its all yours!
Click to view LouisForeman's profile EXPERT LouisForeman 16 posts since
Oct 3, 2008
14. Re: Event October 20: Getting your invention off the ground Oct 20, 2008 3:02 PM
in response to: SBOCTeam
Thank you for having me. I am glad to be here and hopefully can shed some light on the process of invention.
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