Synopses & Reviews
You've just invented a new technology, a must-have product. So what now? Patent it? Manufacture it? Sell it? If you're like most would-be Edisons, chances are your stroke of genius will collect dust waiting for you to plot your next move. Fear not, intrepid creatorÄîinventor and author Ronald Louis Docie Sr. shares more than 20 years of valuable insight in this revised and expanded edition of THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE, which now includes a workbook to help you take your ideas from concept to profit. With everything you need to know about marketing, licensing, and selling your invention, this comprehensive handbook will also help you figure out what your invention is worth, which companies might want your ideas, and what steps to take first. You dreamt it, you created it, and it actually worksÄîlet THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE pave the way to your first million. Revised and expanded guidebook to protecting, patenting, marketing, and selling inventions. New 64-page pullout workbook walks inventors through each step of the process. Explains how to save thousands of dollars in patent costs.
Download the Patent and New Product Marketing Workbook PDF here.Reviews
ÄúThe book offers an easy-to-understand process for licensing an invention and covers all the necessary steps, from patenting to negotiating a licensing agreement.ÄùÄîEntrepreneurÄúInventor Ronald Docie uses real case studies to tell everything you need to know to market, license, and sell inventions.ÄùÄîFort Worth StarÄìTelegramÄú[Docie] has written the book on being inventive.ÄùÄîCountry Living Magazine
ÄúThis is the definitive book on product licensing for the independent inventor!Äù ÄîEd Zimmer, The Entrepreneur Network
ÄúThis remarkable and useful book is also a pleasure to read. Inventors who read THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE and follow its step-by-step instructions can now more easily reap the rewards of their own ingenuity. A must for inventors.ÄùÄîHugh Downs, Network news anchor
Äú[A] primer for beginners and a detailed overview for experienced inventors. [The] book makes it easy to research the market, develop a strategy, and take ideas from concept to profit in record time.ÄùÄîNew Equipment Digest
ÄúSolid, personal and authentic.ÄùÄîMiami Herald
ÄúGlean advice from the experts and save valuable time and money by accessing the information, tips, and resources listed in this comprehensive inventor's guide.ÄùÄîHOMEBusiness JournalÄúDocie presents a refreshingly frank approach to invention development, protection, and marketing. His advice on 'tiered risk' alone may save inventorsÄîboth neophytes and seasonedÄîthousands of dollars as well as invaluable time. His book is a must for the desk of every serious inventor.ÄùÄîJack Lander, President, United Inventors Association and VP, Yankee Invention Exposition and Yankee Entrepreneur Workshops
ÄúI can recommend THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE without reservation as a most valuable resource for the independent inventor who is looking to develop and bring an invention to market. . . . clearly reflects in-depth and long-time experience in the field of invention development and marketing. It is well written, very readable, and quite thorough in describing what needs to be done by the independent inventor . . . to successfully get an invention into the marketplace. The 'how-to' aspects of THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE are extraordinarily detailed.ÄùÄîGeorge Lewett, former Director of Technology Evaluation and Assessment, U.S. Department of CommerceÄúRarely does a book come along that provides an accurate and thorough explanation of the invention process. The real life stories and quotes not only provide for interesting reading, but also adequately warn inventors of potential pitfalls commonly encountered. I unconditionally recommend to all inventors and businesses.ÄùÄîMichael S. Neustel, Patent Attorney and Director, National Inventor Fraud Center
ÄúRon has outdone himself! In my opinion THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE can be considered the good book for inventors. What you have here is an excellent guide with rock-solid information that will definitely steer inventors on the right course. But it's also intertwined with Ron's personal experiences, which will help inventors be more realistic. Whether you're thinking of inventing or are already a professional in the inventing field, Ron's book is easy to read and he covers a lot of territory very well. Chock full of information, tips, words of wisdom, and resources, will teach, prod, and motivate readers.ÄùÄîStephen Paul Gnass, President/Executive Director, National Congress of Inventor Organizations and Founder, Invention Convention¬Æ trade show and inventionconvention.com
ÄúTHE INVENTOR'S BIBLE takes readers from Genesis through Revelation in the convoluted world of inventing. This is the book that every inventor needs to read. Ron's been there and done that, and now he shares his expertise. Before spending a dime on patents or services, get this book.ÄùÄîEd Sobey, Ph.D., President, Northwest Invention Center
ÄúI've been an inventor for over 30 years and I believe this book could have saved me much time and heartbreak had I read it when I was beginning my invention career. Please read it and take notes! It is a God send!ÄùÄîStanley I. Mason, Inventor of granola bars and disposable diapers, and holder of 55 patents
ÄúTHE INVENTOR'S BIBLE is an excellent collection of practical information useful to all inventors, based on the author's personal, extensive experience. The text is not presented from a legal viewpoint but rather follows essentially a business and financial path, which an inventor who hopes to be financially successful should consider.ÄùÄîDon Banner, former Commissioner of the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office
ÄúInventors should add THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE to their bookshelves immediately, but be certain to keep it within easy reach. This book is a powerful compilation of useful advice from one who's already been down the rocky road to invention commercialization. Ron Docie has a lot of experience to share, and he does so in an organized fashion.ÄùÄîDon Kelly, CEO Academy of Applied Science, Inc.
ÄúA must-read book for every independent inventor. His book helps bridge the gap between creativity and marketability, addressing such vital questions as commercialization, market and industry research, and assembling the type of help that can make an invention a profitable reality.ÄùÄîInvention-protection.com
Synopsis
The Definitive Guide for Inventors
Features the PATENT AND NEW PRODUCT MARKETING WORKBOOK that takes you step-by-step through:
• Protecting Your Idea (choosing the right steps)
• Patenting (how, when, and why)
• Selecting Manufacturers (that will do the best job)
• Finding the Best Markets (and expanding opportunities)
• Developing a Strategy and Market Plan (that fits perfectly into business plans)
• Presenting Your Invention to Companies (without getting ripped off)
• Negotiating the Best Deal (and how to hire the best advisors)
About the Author
RONALD LOUIS DOCIE’s career in the world of inventions spans more than three decades. His own inventions are found in Wal-Mart, Kmart, and thousands of other outlets. As an agent for inventors, Docie has negotiated over fifty licenses with such companies as General Motors. He is an expert consultant on idea submission to Johnson & Johnson and other prominent companies. Docie is the president of Docie Development, LLC, an international company that provides services for inventors and corporations.
Table of Contents
Contents
foreword xiii
Introduction 1
The Climate for Independent Inventors 2
Why Did I Write This Book? 3
What Is in This Book? 3
The Meaning of Success 4
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 1) 6
Chapter 1 Commercialization 101 11
Moving from the Drafting Table to the Store Shelf
The Dilemma of Perceived Value 11
Is the Clock Ticking? 13
Prototype, Patent, or Market: Which to Do First? 13
Research Your Industry: The Real First Step 14
Is Licensing Your Invention the Way to Go? 16
Marketability versus Licensability 19
What Do You Have That You Can License? 20
Whom Can You License To? 22
So What Does It Take? 23
Keep It in Perspective 24
Case Study: Tire Technology 25
Chapter 2 Timing Is (Almost) Everything 31
Formulating Your Patent Strategy and Protecting What’s Yours
Just What Is a Patent? 32
How Necessary Is a Patent? 32
Safeguarding Your Proprietary Property 32
Patent Searches 34
Provisional Applications 39
Shop Rights for Employers and Institutions 40
Patent Partners 42
Some Strategies for Patent Holders 44
Foreign Patenting 46
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 2) 47
Chapter 3 Market and Industry Research 51
Your Ticket to Free Expert Advice and Lasting Business Relationships
Just Talk to People 51
Market Position 55
The Consumer Product Pipeline 56
Pull-Through Sales 61
Mail-Order Markets 62
Interviewing for Industrial Inventions 64
Trade Associations 66
Trade Shows: What’s in Them for You? 67
Test Marketing 74
Why Interviewing Works 78
Anticipated Costs and Timetable 78
What’s Next? 79
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 3) 80
Chapter 4 Time to Pick the Lineup 83
Qualifying and Contacting Appropriate Licensees
The Smooth Success 84
Picking the Lineup 86
Making Contact 90
What Decision Makers Can Tell You 91
Disclosure Agreements 97
Your Own Disclosure Agreement 99
Patent Strategy, Continued 104
Your Next Steps 105
Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 1) 107
Chapter 5 The Plan Comes Together 113
Submitting to Companies and Forming a Commercialization Strategy
A Few Words about Strategy 113
What to Submit 115
Initial Responses from Key Decision Makers 118
Determining Your Invention’s Market Value 120
Foreign Licensing and Patenting 124
Structuring a Licensing Deal 126
Joint Venture Opportunities 128
Life after Rejection 130
Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 2) 133
Chapter 6 Brass Tacks 145
Negotiating Your Compensation and Other Contract Terms
Royalties 146
Some Thoughts on Negotiating 147
The License Contract 148
Negotiating Contract Terms 149
Contract Terms 151
Other Terms 167
Who Will Determine the Terms and Conditions? 169
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 4) 171
Chapter 7 Victory through Teamwork 175
When to Use Professional Help and How to Find the Best
Help with Patents 175
Help with Commercializing Your Invention 177
Help with Patent Infringement 180
Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 5) 186
Conclusion The End of the Rainbow 195
Afterword The Future for Inventor’s Agents 197
Appendices 199
Appendix A--General Information Concerning Patents 199
Appendix B--Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries 216
Appendix C--Invention Evaluation Criteria 221
Appendix D--Risk/Reward Ratio Chart 225
Appendix E--Simplified Steps: A Quick-Reference Flow Chart of the Invention Commercialization Process 229
Appendix F--Disclosure Agreement 232
Resources 235
Government Contacts 235
Government Programs 236
Patent Searching and Patenting 240
Private Organizations 241
Publications for Inventors 245
Research Resources 245
Small Business Resources 249
Special Resources 251
Trade Shows 253
Glossary 255
Patent and new product marketing workbook 267
Index 354
About the Author 361