Have an idea that you think could be the next big thing? What about a new way to do something better? Well, how do you go about taking these brilliant concepts from your head to market? How do you turn these ideas into products and services without getting ripped off? Here’s a rundown of the best tools and resources available for wanna-be inventors, covering everything from social networks to copyright and patent sites, and more:
Social Networks for Inventors
- Incuby - Offers inventors a social networking platform to share ideas, ask questions and get feedback.
- IdeaWicket - Is another online network for creative types.
- IdeaTango - Provides a social network not just for inventors but also service providers and businesses involved with innovative products and services.
- InventTube - Claims to be the largest online service for inventors, patent attorneys, companies and more.
- In.ventors - Is a bare bones network for people interested in inventions.
Recording ideas
You never know when those brilliant ideas will pop into your head, so you need to be able to record and document them when they do. If you’re on the go and not in front of a computer, your best bet is to use your mobile device. Here are some useful services that can assist you with recording your brainstorms on the run.
-EverNote - Lets you record your ideas and thoughts on your cell phone via voice, text or email. It works very well on the iPhone.
- Jott - Is a simple way to record audio messages on your mobile device. The nice thing is that it will transcribe your audio to text and email it to you along with a link to the audio recording.
- Wridea - Doesn’t record audio messages but you can send your ideas to your wridea account via email from your cell phone.
Tools for Documenting, Sharing & Tracking Inventions
Once you capture an idea for an invention you need to document it and track its process. You will need to create a drawing or prototype of every detail as well. You will also need to be able to share these documents with a partner, attorney, manufacturer, or others.
- Google Docs & Spreadsheets - Is the popular online office application that lets you create documents that you can share with those you choose. You will also be able to access your document library from any computer with Internet access as well. It includes a Word, Excel and PowerPoint clone (great for giving presentations of your new invention idea).
- Zoho DB - Allows you to create a complex database online that can track every detail regarding your invention including contacts, documents, drawings, etc.
- Gimp - Is an open source image manipulation application that can be very useful in creating drawings of your invention idea.
Copyright, Patent, and Trademark Resources
Here’s some valuable information that can assist you with the inventing process.
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office - Is Grand Central station for inventors. It’s the official site from the U.S. Government and it’s loaded with incredible information and tools that help anyone involved with patents and trademarks.
- U.S.Copyright Office - This is the official site for all things related to copyrights. Mostly for protecting authors and their works but it covers much more than that. Excellent information available for free too.
- Search Patents or Trademarks - It can cost approximately $500 per patent search. Fortunately, you can now do a decent patent and trademark search for free online thanks to the US Patent & Trademark office. Granted, this won’t be as thorough or exhaustive as having a patent attorney do it for you, but it sure is a lot cheaper.
- How to get a patent - Excellent information about patents straight from the horse’s mouth, the US Patent office. There are many other sites that try to explain the process but this is the official instructions so it’s obviously the most reliable.
- How to get a trademark - The same applies with this resource. It’s the official explanation on how to register a trademark from the US Patent & Trademark office.
- Taking the Mystery out of Copyrights - Informative presentation from the Library of Congress that was created for students and teachers to explain the usually complex process of attaining a copyright.
Useful Sites for Inventors
- Inventor’s Hall of Fame - s an inspirational museum of the best inventors and inventions of all-time.
- Inventor’s Digest - Is the leading magazine for inventors
- Inventor’s Organizations - Official organizations at state level in the USA. Also, some in Australia and the UK.
- Inventor’s Alliance - Has been providing a useful newsletter to inventors since 1993.
- Free Inventing 101 Online Course - Is a free online guide about inventing.
- National Inventor Fraud Center - Excellent police dog for blowing the whistle on those less-than-scrupulous people and organizations out there that prey on inventors.
- StopFakes.gov - Is a service from the U.S. Patent & Trademark office that protects smalls businesses and their online intellectual properties. Excellent information.
Conclusion
Technology can be an incredible asset for inventors. However, one must use common sense when it comes to sharing original ideas in a public forum. While most people might be trustworthy and helpful, there are always those that are not. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from these sites. On the contrary, it’s highly advisable to visit them as often as possible, just be careful about sharing too much information regarding your ideas.
Note: The image of the gentleman holding the giant cell phone is none other than Dr. Martin Cooper the inventor of the first cell phone in 1973. Who knows, you might be the next Dr. Cooper or the dude who invented those thingies on the ends of shoelaces.
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