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Results: Invention Development Companies

Published on 10/26/2014
By: MickeyP1229
1548
Business
1.
1.
Have you ever had an invention idea?
Yes
34%
522 votes
No
53%
826 votes
Undecided
6%
94 votes
Not Applicable
7%
106 votes
2.
2.
Have you ever checked into one of these so called invention development companies to help you bring your idea to market?
Yes
8%
125 votes
No
56%
866 votes
Not Applicable
36%
557 votes
3.
3.
I thought I had a really good idea for a kitchen help product, so I went to one of these companies. They first asked me to describe my idea in detail. After about an hour on the phone with them telling me how great my idea was, they said I would have to give them $499.00 to begin the process. They said my idea would remain protected even if I didn't go any further. Do you think this amount is reasonable, given there is no guarantees?
Yes
7%
110 votes
No
44%
682 votes
Undecided
25%
384 votes
Not Applicable
24%
372 votes
4.
4.
In the long run, I decided the risk was not worth it, and declined to proceed further. About a year later, I was looking through a catalog, and, lo and behold, there is my idea for sale! Do you think these companies steal people's ideas when they don't have the money to follow through?
Yes
47%
725 votes
No
8%
123 votes
Maybe
22%
347 votes
Undecided
23%
363 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
8 votes
Other Answers Percentage Votes
who cares 0.06% 1
n/a missing 0.06% 1
n/a 0.06% 1
na 0.06% 1
0.06% 1
these type of companies would steal an idea in a second. they would have stolen your money too, if you had paid them. 0.06% 1
sounds like it. 0.06% 1
sorry to hear that they took advantage of you and stole your idea. 0.06% 1
5.
5.
Do you think your idea should be protected even it there is no patent while it is only an idea?
Yes
34%
533 votes
No
20%
315 votes
Undecided
28%
441 votes
Not Applicable
17%
259 votes
How can you protect an idea?
  • na
  • don't tell anyone
  • keep it
  • without a patent or copyright, you cannot.
  • i dont know
  • mail the information to yourself in a letter, and don't open it until there is an issue.
  • don't tell your idea to anyone until you have talked to a patent lawyer!!!!
  • not share it or reveal it. you can write it down and get it copy righted.
  • file a drawing or description with the patent office as soon as possible.
  • document it
  • none
  • don't be cheap and buy a patent.
  • not sure.
  • keep it quiet
  • u.s. patent office
  • register and get it copyrighted
  • you should always patent your idea before showing it to others. that way it is your idea and if they use it you can sue.
  • make sure is documented with your name with also a video recording when you pitch an idea so no one can steal it and you have proof
  • unk
  • copy writing it as ur own
  • not sure
  • you need to be with the inventors assistance league www.inventions.org and the next time you get an idea do not tell anyone not even your spouse they will be jealous and not want you to get you patent. i have an invention just about to be patented with my name on it!!!!!!!!!
  • get a patent on it as soon as you can
  • get it patent
  • patent
  • bring it to conclusion on your own somehow or let it lie
  • get a patent lawyer and not one of these scam companies.
  • idk
  • go directly through patent procedures
  • put everything in writing and the mail it to yourself
  • none
  • don't tell anyone
  • by not telling anyone
  • i would take a picture of my idea...date it - keep 1 copy 4 myself & 1 2 a lawyer...companie's ''do'' steal idea's...& this way u have proof that it was ur idea 2 begin with...
  • hyfgrdeswdertf
  • i have no idea
  • i don't know
  • you need to get a patent!
  • pay the patent fees
  • put a patent on it
  • keep it to yourself or make it yourself
  • 2
  • send it through the mail to y0ur self
  • don't talk about it.
  • do not share your idea with no one until you get a written statement saying your idea will remain safe before you share it.
  • patent it.
  • by keeping it a secret
  • you can't.
  • patent it
  • you can't. the only protection is a patent, or pending patent. even then, you'll need a good lawyer to pursue infringements.
  • don't tell anyone
  • not sure
  • you really can't.
  • don't tell what it is in detail & research a company before you tell them what your idea is.
  • if you truly have a great idea, and you go as far as to letting a company know about it, you should have the money set aside already for a patent process.
  • blhabjshjjhbxhshsghsghsghsghsghsghghsghghsghghsghgshsghsghsghsghsghsghsghghghghsg
  • you would have to patent it.
  • don't tell anyone
  • from what i know you need to patent your idea so that no one can take it, i would have thought the 500 dollars was worth it. sorry this happened to you. i bet you can think of another good idea.
  • i keep them to myself
  • dunno
  • keep it to yourself til you have the money to fund development.
  • dont know
  • find a wealthy friend
  • don't tell anyone else!
  • write the idea down on paper and mail it to yourself. leave it unopened, then if anyone tried to make it you can prove by the date on the postage stamp that it was yours and when
  • i'm not sure, but some people write it down and mail it to themself.
  • mail yourself a registered letter with the idea in it; then you have a confirmed date for your idea (but does not mean someone did not have the idea earlier, only that you had the idea by the date registered(
  • patent it
  • ?
  • not tell anyone.
  • i have no idea.
  • do not contact the idea help companies. patent the idea yourself
  • don't tell to nobody even the company who wants to help you invent a product, first you sign a contract and if they can't help you and use your idea you can lawsuit them and get the same amount of money you could have made from your product idea.
  • the us patent office, i guess.
  • before telling anyone about it, make a prototype/drawing and photograph it with a daily newpaper with the date showing
  • yes. because if you would not have thought of said product it never would have existed in the first place.
  • no idea
  • keeping the idea to yourself and finding out how to get a copyright like thomas edison did for practically every idea he discovered while trying to get the light bulb to work. if you want loyalty, first give it to yourself and don't blab until you've made it legally yours. you can sue for theft.
  • the only legal way is to get a patent
  • keep it a secret until you can afford to sell it
  • j
  • keep accurate records and diagrams of the product, keep all correspondence with whichever company you spoke to or spend the money and havev it patented.
  • do it yourself
  • don't know
  • keep trying
  • by not explaining full details and the breakdown of it's composition and writing up a consensual agreement that the item will not be marketed without owner's consent
  • mail the idea to yourself and don't open package
  • copyright
  • not put an actual name to the product
  • i dont know
  • get a patent
  • have it recorded and witnessed.
  • no idea, good luck!
  • copyright it.
  • copyright it
  • write it up, sign it, have a witness sign it. then mail it to yourself. do not open it. the postmark will serve as proof of date. can use this for books and songs too.
  • no idea
  • build it at home
  • there is none that i can think of.
  • get a lawyer
  • not sure
  • patent, trademark or strong market position. no other ways.
  • you just need to understand that there's a lot of thieves out there.
  • not tell
  • you have to get it notarized at least to prove the idea existed at a certain date.
  • patent, copyright, trademark
  • mail it to yourself certified and get it patented or copyrighted. if you see the item get an attorney who specializes in that who will work for a percentage.
  • there really is no way to protect anything if you do not have at least a patent pending. sorry you had to learn this the hard way. people & organizations can be cruel on so many levels. the first thing this company should have told you is to get a patent pending & then call us back. they were not cr
  • keep your idea to yourself until you can find a trusted person who will take it further without stealing the idea.
  • na
  • don't tell
  • don't tell anyone
  • detail everything in writing, including diagrams and pictures - mail it to yourself or attorney but do not open until you are ready to patent / you can submit a copy of this information to the patent office with minimal difficulty and expense http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/getting-patent-you
  • no idea.
  • intellectual property laws should be applicable to this.
  • you can't
  • get a patent
  • i don't know
  • note the date/time that you had this idea. must be recorded with a digital device for proof.
  • invest in a patent if you think your product would be worth a lot of future cash
  • obviously by keeping it to yourself until you have the money/resources to get it on with.
  • get a patent
  • keep it to yourself
  • hard to say
  • it is said you can't protect a idea.
  • i dont know
  • not sure
  • patents
  • noh
  • library on congress
  • don't tell anyone or have them sign a nondisclosure agreement with witnesses
  • keep it to myself!!!
  • patent
  • n/a
  • n/a.
  • if you have in the the original design on paper you automatically hold the patent. i learned this from a patent lawyer when i was designing architectural stained glass.
  • still get the patent
  • file for a patent even it is only an idea if you can.
  • get attorney
  • na
  • not by mailing it to yourself
  • we went to a patent agent and then a patent attorney - expensive but worth it
  • idk
  • write it down and keep a log of it
  • get a patent
  • get a patent for your ideal ahead of time and then i they use your ideal you can sue them
  • sign a non- compete
  • you can't unless you keep it to yourself.
  • not sure
  • patent it, if it meets the requisites.
  • get a provisional patent. it is much quicker, less expensive, and gives you protection against patent thieves.
  • you can't?
  • never talk about our idea
  • patent
  • na
  • is good
  • kk
  • dk
  • do not tell anyone
  • no
  • patent it.
  • only use the phone to set up meetings, and meet with investors in person. then make a contract signed by both parties that your invention will be protected and will not be put through without your consent.
  • dk
  • get a patent
  • deal directly with the patent office
  • never speak it out loud the walls have ears lol but seriously this has happened to myself & hubby twice!!! because we didn't have the money or decided against it our "idea" was on commercials & catoluges i could not believe it!!!! oh it made me angry
  • no idea
  • patent
  • do not announce it unless you tend to pursue the idea.
  • you have to register it with the patent office... then you can tell one of those companies about it and sue their butts off for stealing your idea.
  • swear secrecy
  • n/a
  • write it down, make it plain. enclose it and mail it to yourself and never open it . it has the postdate showing you created it
  • submit it for patent immediately!
  • -
  • register it
  • don't know
  • get it patent
  • see comments
  • don't tell it
  • don't tell anyone
  • mail the idea to your self via post office
  • only share with people that you know will keep it confident.
  • making them sign a non-disclosure and non-compete clause when they take your money
  • label the patent
  • get a lawyer first
  • keep it to yourself and if you can afford to make it public then go for it most things r rip offs make copies date and fedex to yourself
  • don't know
  • ask mark zuckerberg how he got away with stealing the facebook idea and making billions.
  • not sure but dont tell
  • don't know
  • i don't know
  • don't tell those companies! if you think it is an actual idea that will sell on the market, patent it!
  • you can't protect an idea
  • the only real way to protect an idea is to not share it with one of these companies. i would get a written guarantee and money up front first.
  • get a patent
  • can"t
  • put it on the internet under your name.
  • hide it
  • do not share with any one
  • keep your mouth shut
  • keep it too myself
  • don't tell unless your willing to go thur
  • dont tell anyone until it is materialized
  • mail to yourself and don't open it
  • n/a
  • write it down on paper and have it notarized
  • have it written down, a sample if possible, dates and documentations
  • i will not share it with some body else.
  • do not know
  • have legal papers drawn up
  • very difficult because the minute people see it they can copy it but you can patent it.
  • na
  • copyrights
  • first pay no money for what you offer-signals scam. second, sue them for theft.
  • dont open your mouth
  • not sure
  • keep your mouth shut
  • can't
  • mail yourself by certified mail your idea, plans, proto-type etc. then but it unopened into a safe deposit box.
  • dont tell anyone unless it is for sure going to be put as your idea
  • unsure
  • do it yourself
  • not sure
  • hire a lawyer first
  • idk
  • by having insurance
  • by getting a lawyer to sign protected papers.
  • ???
  • write it down notarize it then mail it to yourself but do not open it that's your proof its your idea and u have a witness
  • keep it to yourself and/or patent! :o)
  • i don't know.
  • no
  • don't tell anyone you don't trust
  • na
  • it's called respect
  • not sure
  • no
  • don't know
  • don't open your mouth without a non-disclosure statement signed first
  • don't tell anyone about it
  • patent it
  • na
  • register idea
  • picture ,film and a call log of dates and time of who to called or talked to. was it on a cell phone where you can trace the call and sue.
  • that's the million dollar question - if we knew, we wouldn't need the other company!
  • more patents
  • na
  • get a patent on it and don't tell anyone what it is before you do.
  • idk
  • great
Other Answers Percentage Votes
na 0.52% 8
not sure 0.52% 8
don't tell anyone 0.39% 6
get a patent 0.39% 6
don't know 0.32% 5
patent 0.26% 4
idk 0.26% 4
i dont know 0.19% 3
i don't know 0.19% 3
patent it 0.19% 3
no idea 0.19% 3
n/a 0.19% 3
no 0.19% 3
none 0.13% 2
get it patent 0.13% 2
patent it. 0.13% 2
do it yourself 0.13% 2
dk 0.13% 2
keep your mouth shut 0.13% 2
keep it 0.06% 1
without a patent or copyright, you cannot. 0.06% 1
mail the information to yourself in a letter, and don't open it until there is an issue. 0.06% 1
don't tell your idea to anyone until you have talked to a patent lawyer!!!! 0.06% 1
not share it or reveal it. you can write it down and get it copy righted. 0.06% 1
file a drawing or description with the patent office as soon as possible. 0.06% 1
document it 0.06% 1
don't be cheap and buy a patent. 0.06% 1
not sure. 0.06% 1
keep it quiet 0.06% 1
u.s. patent office 0.06% 1
register and get it copyrighted 0.06% 1
you should always patent your idea before showing it to others. that way it is your idea and if they use it you can sue. 0.06% 1
make sure is documented with your name with also a video recording when you pitch an idea so no one can steal it and you have proof 0.06% 1
unk 0.06% 1
copy writing it as ur own 0.06% 1
you need to be with the inventors assistance league www.inventions.org and the next time you get an idea do not tell anyone not even your spouse they will be jealous and not want you to get you patent. i have an invention just about to be patented with my name on it!!!!!!!!! 0.06% 1
get a patent on it as soon as you can 0.06% 1
bring it to conclusion on your own somehow or let it lie 0.06% 1
get a patent lawyer and not one of these scam companies. 0.06% 1
go directly through patent procedures 0.06% 1
put everything in writing and the mail it to yourself 0.06% 1
by not telling anyone 0.06% 1
i would take a picture of my idea...date it - keep 1 copy 4 myself & 1 2 a lawyer...companie's ''do'' steal idea's...& this way u have proof that it was ur idea 2 begin with... 0.06% 1
hyfgrdeswdertf 0.06% 1
i have no idea 0.06% 1
you need to get a patent! 0.06% 1
pay the patent fees 0.06% 1
put a patent on it 0.06% 1
keep it to yourself or make it yourself 0.06% 1
2 0.06% 1
send it through the mail to y0ur self 0.06% 1
don't talk about it. 0.06% 1
do not share your idea with no one until you get a written statement saying your idea will remain safe before you share it. 0.06% 1
by keeping it a secret 0.06% 1
you can't. 0.06% 1
you can't. the only protection is a patent, or pending patent. even then, you'll need a good lawyer to pursue infringements. 0.06% 1
you really can't. 0.06% 1
don't tell what it is in detail & research a company before you tell them what your idea is. 0.06% 1
if you truly have a great idea, and you go as far as to letting a company know about it, you should have the money set aside already for a patent process. 0.06% 1
blhabjshjjhbxhshsghsghsghsghsghsghghsghghsghghsghgshsghsghsghsghsghsghsghghghghsg 0.06% 1
you would have to patent it. 0.06% 1
from what i know you need to patent your idea so that no one can take it, i would have thought the 500 dollars was worth it. sorry this happened to you. i bet you can think of another good idea. 0.06% 1
i keep them to myself 0.06% 1
dunno 0.06% 1
keep it to yourself til you have the money to fund development. 0.06% 1
dont know 0.06% 1
find a wealthy friend 0.06% 1
don't tell anyone else! 0.06% 1
write the idea down on paper and mail it to yourself. leave it unopened, then if anyone tried to make it you can prove by the date on the postage stamp that it was yours and when 0.06% 1
i'm not sure, but some people write it down and mail it to themself. 0.06% 1
mail yourself a registered letter with the idea in it; then you have a confirmed date for your idea (but does not mean someone did not have the idea earlier, only that you had the idea by the date registered( 0.06% 1
? 0.06% 1
not tell anyone. 0.06% 1
i have no idea. 0.06% 1
do not contact the idea help companies. patent the idea yourself 0.06% 1
don't tell to nobody even the company who wants to help you invent a product, first you sign a contract and if they can't help you and use your idea you can lawsuit them and get the same amount of money you could have made from your product idea. 0.06% 1
the us patent office, i guess. 0.06% 1
before telling anyone about it, make a prototype/drawing and photograph it with a daily newpaper with the date showing 0.06% 1
yes. because if you would not have thought of said product it never would have existed in the first place. 0.06% 1
keeping the idea to yourself and finding out how to get a copyright like thomas edison did for practically every idea he discovered while trying to get the light bulb to work. if you want loyalty, first give it to yourself and don't blab until you've made it legally yours. you can sue for theft. 0.06% 1
the only legal way is to get a patent 0.06% 1
keep it a secret until you can afford to sell it 0.06% 1
j 0.06% 1
keep accurate records and diagrams of the product, keep all correspondence with whichever company you spoke to or spend the money and havev it patented. 0.06% 1
keep trying 0.06% 1
by not explaining full details and the breakdown of it's composition and writing up a consensual agreement that the item will not be marketed without owner's consent 0.06% 1
mail the idea to yourself and don't open package 0.06% 1
copyright 0.06% 1
not put an actual name to the product 0.06% 1
have it recorded and witnessed. 0.06% 1
no idea, good luck! 0.06% 1
copyright it. 0.06% 1
copyright it 0.06% 1
write it up, sign it, have a witness sign it. then mail it to yourself. do not open it. the postmark will serve as proof of date. can use this for books and songs too. 0.06% 1
build it at home 0.06% 1
there is none that i can think of. 0.06% 1
get a lawyer 0.06% 1
patent, trademark or strong market position. no other ways. 0.06% 1
you just need to understand that there's a lot of thieves out there. 0.06% 1
not tell 0.06% 1
you have to get it notarized at least to prove the idea existed at a certain date. 0.06% 1
patent, copyright, trademark 0.06% 1
mail it to yourself certified and get it patented or copyrighted. if you see the item get an attorney who specializes in that who will work for a percentage. 0.06% 1
there really is no way to protect anything if you do not have at least a patent pending. sorry you had to learn this the hard way. people & organizations can be cruel on so many levels. the first thing this company should have told you is to get a patent pending & then call us back. they were not cr 0.06% 1
keep your idea to yourself until you can find a trusted person who will take it further without stealing the idea. 0.06% 1
don't tell 0.06% 1
detail everything in writing, including diagrams and pictures - mail it to yourself or attorney but do not open until you are ready to patent / you can submit a copy of this information to the patent office with minimal difficulty and expense http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/getting-patent-you 0.06% 1
no idea. 0.06% 1
intellectual property laws should be applicable to this. 0.06% 1
you can't 0.06% 1
note the date/time that you had this idea. must be recorded with a digital device for proof. 0.06% 1
invest in a patent if you think your product would be worth a lot of future cash 0.06% 1
obviously by keeping it to yourself until you have the money/resources to get it on with. 0.06% 1
keep it to yourself 0.06% 1
hard to say 0.06% 1
it is said you can't protect a idea. 0.06% 1
patents 0.06% 1
noh 0.06% 1
library on congress 0.06% 1
don't tell anyone or have them sign a nondisclosure agreement with witnesses 0.06% 1
keep it to myself!!! 0.06% 1
n/a. 0.06% 1
if you have in the the original design on paper you automatically hold the patent. i learned this from a patent lawyer when i was designing architectural stained glass. 0.06% 1
still get the patent 0.06% 1
file for a patent even it is only an idea if you can. 0.06% 1
get attorney 0.06% 1
not by mailing it to yourself 0.06% 1
we went to a patent agent and then a patent attorney - expensive but worth it 0.06% 1
write it down and keep a log of it 0.06% 1
get a patent for your ideal ahead of time and then i they use your ideal you can sue them 0.06% 1
sign a non- compete 0.06% 1
you can't unless you keep it to yourself. 0.06% 1
patent it, if it meets the requisites. 0.06% 1
get a provisional patent. it is much quicker, less expensive, and gives you protection against patent thieves. 0.06% 1
you can't? 0.06% 1
never talk about our idea 0.06% 1
is good 0.06% 1
kk 0.06% 1
do not tell anyone 0.06% 1
only use the phone to set up meetings, and meet with investors in person. then make a contract signed by both parties that your invention will be protected and will not be put through without your consent. 0.06% 1
deal directly with the patent office 0.06% 1
never speak it out loud the walls have ears lol but seriously this has happened to myself & hubby twice!!! because we didn't have the money or decided against it our "idea" was on commercials & catoluges i could not believe it!!!! oh it made me angry 0.06% 1
do not announce it unless you tend to pursue the idea. 0.06% 1
you have to register it with the patent office... then you can tell one of those companies about it and sue their butts off for stealing your idea. 0.06% 1
swear secrecy 0.06% 1
write it down, make it plain. enclose it and mail it to yourself and never open it . it has the postdate showing you created it 0.06% 1
submit it for patent immediately! 0.06% 1
- 0.06% 1
register it 0.06% 1
see comments 0.06% 1
don't tell it 0.06% 1
mail the idea to your self via post office 0.06% 1
only share with people that you know will keep it confident. 0.06% 1
making them sign a non-disclosure and non-compete clause when they take your money 0.06% 1
label the patent 0.06% 1
get a lawyer first 0.06% 1
keep it to yourself and if you can afford to make it public then go for it most things r rip offs make copies date and fedex to yourself 0.06% 1
ask mark zuckerberg how he got away with stealing the facebook idea and making billions. 0.06% 1
not sure but dont tell 0.06% 1
don't tell those companies! if you think it is an actual idea that will sell on the market, patent it! 0.06% 1
you can't protect an idea 0.06% 1
the only real way to protect an idea is to not share it with one of these companies. i would get a written guarantee and money up front first. 0.06% 1
can"t 0.06% 1
put it on the internet under your name. 0.06% 1
hide it 0.06% 1
do not share with any one 0.06% 1
keep it too myself 0.06% 1
don't tell unless your willing to go thur 0.06% 1
dont tell anyone until it is materialized 0.06% 1
mail to yourself and don't open it 0.06% 1
write it down on paper and have it notarized 0.06% 1
have it written down, a sample if possible, dates and documentations 0.06% 1
i will not share it with some body else. 0.06% 1
do not know 0.06% 1
have legal papers drawn up 0.06% 1
very difficult because the minute people see it they can copy it but you can patent it. 0.06% 1
copyrights 0.06% 1
first pay no money for what you offer-signals scam. second, sue them for theft. 0.06% 1
dont open your mouth 0.06% 1
can't 0.06% 1
mail yourself by certified mail your idea, plans, proto-type etc. then but it unopened into a safe deposit box. 0.06% 1
dont tell anyone unless it is for sure going to be put as your idea 0.06% 1
unsure 0.06% 1
hire a lawyer first 0.06% 1
by having insurance 0.06% 1
by getting a lawyer to sign protected papers. 0.06% 1
??? 0.06% 1
write it down notarize it then mail it to yourself but do not open it that's your proof its your idea and u have a witness 0.06% 1
keep it to yourself and/or patent! :o) 0.06% 1
i don't know. 0.06% 1
don't tell anyone you don't trust 0.06% 1
it's called respect 0.06% 1
don't open your mouth without a non-disclosure statement signed first 0.06% 1
don't tell anyone about it 0.06% 1
register idea 0.06% 1
picture ,film and a call log of dates and time of who to called or talked to. was it on a cell phone where you can trace the call and sue. 0.06% 1
that's the million dollar question - if we knew, we wouldn't need the other company! 0.06% 1
more patents 0.06% 1
get a patent on it and don't tell anyone what it is before you do. 0.06% 1
great 0.06% 1
COMMENTS