Avoid Patent Scams

Six Ways to Avoid Scams that Target Inventors

The following tips are intended to help both independent inventors, and the inventor clients of patent attorneys, steer clear of “invention marketing” companies that use unethical business practices. Many of these companies advertise their patenting and marketing services on television and on the internet via Google™ Ads. Some of these companies send out mailers to inventors who have already received a patent. These mailers encourage the inventor to use the company’s marketing and licensing services. While the services promised by many “invention marketing companies” may look okay upon the first look, many inventors find out too late that they have not gotten their money’s worth after hiring such companies. Do very thorough research before doing business with any company or individual that claims to help inventors patent, market, sell or license inventions.

1. Visit the Following Inventor Fraud Prevention Websites

   Review the United States Patent & Trademark Office’s (USPTO)
   Invention Promotion Firm Complaints page.
   Also review the USPTO’s
   Inventor Targeted Scam Prevention Brochure.
   Visit the USPTO’s
   Independent Inventor Program Office for more answers.

   Additional resources:

   • Previously Unpublished Complaints Against Invention Promotion Companies
   • FTC – Facts on Invention Promotion Firms
   • Inventor Ed – Inventor & Entrepreneur Education
   • National Inventor Fraud Center
   • RipOffReport.com Patent Company Complaints
   • United Inventors Association (UIA)
   • American Inventor Protection Act of 1999
2. Find a Reputable Registered Patent Attorney or Agent

   Use the USPTO Patent Attorney/Agent Finder or check the
   USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline to confirm credentials.

3. Find a Reputable Licensing Expert or Product Scout

   Ask your local inventors group or a patent attorney/agent for referrals.
   Be cautious, ask for references, and apply the same diligence as with invention marketing firms.

4. Join an Inventors Group

   See the following links for inventor groups in the US and around the world:

   🇺🇸 U.S. Inventor Clubs & Associations

   • Inventor Groups – InventLeader: https://inventleader.org/inventor-groups/
   • InventorHome “List of Inventor Clubs”: https://www.inventorhome.com/clubs.asp
   • United Inventors Association (UIA USA): https://uiausa.org/
   • Roger Brown – Find an Inventor Group Near You: https://rogerbrown.net/find-an-inventor-group-near-you/

   🌍 International Inventor Associations

   • International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA): https://ifia.com/associations-and-organizers-services/
   • Wessex Region of Technologists & Inventors (WRTI – UK): https://www.wrti.org.uk/inventors-clubs
5. Read Books Helpful to Inventors

   Recommended titles:

   • Patent It Yourself — David Pressman
   • How to License Your Million Dollar Idea — Harvey Reese
   • One Simple Idea — Stephen Key
   • Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! — Lori Greiner
   • The Inventor’s Bible — Ronald Louis Docie Sr.
   • Sell Your Idea with or Without a Patent — Stephen Key
   • From Patent to Profit — Bob DeMatteis
   • The Mom Inventors Handbook — Tamara Monosoff
   • Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Peter F. Drucker
   • The Art of Invention — Steven J. Paley
   • The Independent Inventor’s Handbook — Louis Foreman and Jill Gilbert Welytok
6. Subscribe to Magazines

   Recommended publications:

   • Inventors Digest
   • Fast Company
   • Inc.
   • Entrepreneur
   • Popular Science
   • MIT Technology Review
   • Wired
   • Harvard Business Review (HBR)
   • Inventors’ Digest International (via IFIA)
   • Design News
   • Product Design & Development (PD&D)
   • Innovation Leader

   Tip: Always research advertisers carefully before doing business with them.

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