Browse Tag: patents

Podcast Episode #6 – All About Patents!

Tune in to the Source Direct podcast! Here’s our most recent episode:

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Episode 6: All About Patents!

In this episode, we speak with Bruce Lev of RG Patent Consulting. As an inventor, patenting is the most important beginning step in the inventing process. Bruce fills us in on some tips and tricks to keep in mind as you start with your invention. Do you know the difference between a provisional and utility patent? Not knowing the difference could cost you thousands! Check out RG Patent Consulting through their website, or contact us for more information!

Steps to Getting a Patent – What You Need to Know!

One of the most vital parts of the inventing process is getting a patent. We have compiled a list of things to do to get your patent going! All of this information comes directly from the USPTO website:

What is Sourcing? Do I need it?

What is sourcing? Is it something you need to get your product onto the store shelves? The answer is simple: YES! 

Sourcing is one of the most important foundations your product is built around. It’s necessary to get your invention from the design phase or prototyping into mass production.

The purpose of Sourcing is to secure quality manufacturing and obtain deliverable cost information.

To gather this information, it’s not as easy as a Google search or a phone call. You must work with a reputable company to get the sourcing done. The information gathered while sourcing will help better the financial position of the inventor when it comes to mass production and keeping the costs down. The sourcing process is vital to the entire inventing process – lackadaisical sourcing can be the demise of your product and goals.

Once you have sourced your product successfully, you will know what your margins are and what your profit of sale could be! Need help with sourcing? Click here!

What Does your Product DO?

As an inventor, the very first thing you should do in the process is make sure your product purpose is concise. Especially when you are working with patents, your mind must be made up when it comes to the specific function of your idea.

Here are a couple of things to do:

  • Write down the function of the product. For example, “My product will pick up animal waste with built in plastic bags, so the owner doesn’t get any of it on their hands.” This is a clear and concise purpose, of which can be expanded upon in the product development phase.
  • Get a professional drawing of your product. Make sure the engineer working on the idea has clarification on the product’s purpose.
  • Don’t change your mind often! The more you change things, the more likely you are to completely distract from the original idea. Stay firm – unless your product needs engineering changes to improve functionality.

Sometimes, in the production development process, friends and family may get involved to suggest changes and fixes to make your idea “better”. Be very cautious. Unless your family member is an engineer, you should consult your production company before implementing changes!

Inventor Resources…where do you go?

When it comes down to finding the best resources for starting your invention journey, you should use caution and only work with individuals that you trust. There are many scams floating around the industry, so you should be weary! We have compiled a list of resources that we trust in:

  • United States Patent and Trademark Office – The USPTO assists independent inventors, small business concerns and university affiliated inventors through its Office of Innovation Development.
  • Source Direct – We help you design, construct, manufacture, market, and package your product! Source Direct is your one stop shop for making your invention dream a reality!
  • UIA (United Inventors Association of America) – The UIA is a Federally Registered Non-Profit Educational Foundation. Our commitment is to provide educational resources to the inventing community, while encouraging honest and ethical business practices within the industry service providers.
  • Inventorz Network – The Inventorz Network™ is the new collective voice of The Next Big Zing, Womentorz and Women Inventorz Network to create the ULTIMATE network and marketing tool for inventorz.

Would you like to be added to our list of resources? We are always looking for patent and trademark attorneys, aspiring inventors, inventor associations, and networking groups. For consideration, please email Marketing@thesourcedirect.net or call Nathan Daugherty, Client Networking Coordinator, at 888-373-3876, extension 212.