Guide to Invention
The essential aspects of invention are divided into 10 Projects, each with a checklist to help you turn each Project into practical activity. In your own interests you must prioritise Projects 1-3, but circumstances may justify changing the running order thereafter, or working on two or more Projects at the same time.
Is your idea really an invention?
To count as an invention, your idea must contain at least one original inventive step.
Competition & market potential
Thinking of your idea not as an invention but as a business opportunity starts here.
Grow it – or throw it?
You must decide whether there’s enough justification to take your idea any further.
Proving your idea
To prove that your inventive step works means a series of increasingly polished prototypes.
Protect your idea & yourself
Legally protect your intellectual property (IP) so that you can safely disclose it, profit from it and defend it.
Exploitation routes
3 choices: royalties from a company (licensing), or become an entrepreneur, or form a joint venture.
Raising people and finance
This Project is about improving the resources available to help you exploit your idea.
Business or project plan
Producing one isn’t many people’s idea of fun, but there are some things you just can’t do without.
Finding companies
The first step for a licensing deal is finding the right companies to approach.
Dealing with companies
If you’re aiming for a licensing agreement with a company, this is the last lap.