Top 3 Questions Inventors Ask

Inventing is a thrilling journey, one that starts with a burst of inspiration and the spark of an idea. However, the process that transforms that idea into a tangible, marketable product is anything but simple. For most inventors and entrepreneurs, this journey can seem like a vast, uncharted wilderness, filled with uncertainties and dilemmas.

The 3 most common questions that inventors and entrepreneurs ask us are:

1. Where do I start?

2. Should I license my product?

3. Do I need a patent?

Let's shed some light on these questions.

1. Where Do I Start? The Power of Research.

The first milestone on your invention journey isn't the drawing board; it's research. It's a foundational step that informs your path, mitigates risks, and increases your chances of success. So, what should you be researching?

Understanding the Market: Begin with identifying and understanding your target market. Who are the potential users or buyers of your invention? What are their needs, preferences, and purchasing habits? Try to discern the problems they face that your invention might solve. By empathizing with your prospective customers or retail buyers, you can ensure that your invention is tailored to meet a genuine need.

Competitor Analysis: Equally important is studying your competition. Are there similar products out there? How do they perform? What are their strengths and weaknesses? By conducting a competitor analysis, you can not only distinguish your invention but also avoid their mistakes and capitalize on their shortcomings. Don't let competition stand in your way. If anything, it verifies that there is a market.

Technical Feasibility and Economic Viability: An invention that's not feasible to produce or too expensive for the intended market is an invention destined for failure. Assess the materials and processes necessary for the production of your invention. Determine whether it's feasible to produce on a large scale and whether the cost of production aligns with what your target market is willing to pay.

By conducting meticulous research, you'll have a solid foundation upon which to build your invention. It can help refine your idea, direct your development efforts, and increase your chances of success.

2. Should I License My Product? Weighing Pros and Cons.

Licensing can be an appealing option. It involves granting a company the right to manufacture and sell your product in exchange for royalty fees. However, despite its allure, licensing isn't always the best route to success.

Consider this: a company is unlikely to invest significant resources into a product that hasn't been proven in the market. If your invention hasn't demonstrated its potential through actual sales, licensing might not be a realistic option.

The hard truth is that licensing rarely works unless you have a proven sales track record for your product. Companies prefer to license products that already have demonstrated market success. Thus, before considering licensing, focus on getting some initial sales first.

It doesn't have to be a nationwide or global sales initiative. Start small, with pilot sales or limited production runs. Use these early sales to refine your product, identify any design or manufacturing issues, and, most importantly, demonstrate the market demand for your invention. Only then should you consider licensing, with concrete evidence that your product can sell.

3. Do I Need a Patent? It's All About Timing.

First, we are not lawyers and we do not give legal advice. The question of whether or not to patent your invention is a complex one. On one hand, a patent provides you with the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling your invention. On the other hand, obtaining a patent is a time-consuming and often expensive process.

Start by conducting a preliminary patent search to ensure your invention is indeed novel. You might even consider filing a provisional patent application. This offers a cost-effective way to establish an early effective filing date in a later filed non-provisional patent application, giving you up to a year to test the market potential of your invention.

Before you decide to patent, you must validate that there's a market for your product. Without demand, a patent is little more than a costly certificate. So, before plunging into patenting, it's essential to research and confirm that your product has market fit. 

Once you've ascertained the market demand and product-market fit, you can consider the more substantial investment of a non-provisional patent application. This step-by-step approach helps ensure you're not throwing time and resources into a patent for an invention with uncertain market potential.

Until you have a patent, you can use a Non Disclosure Agreement to protect your invention with anyone you share it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the path to successful invention is a complex journey, fraught with questions. However, these three key inquiries - Where do I start? Should I license my product? Do I need a patent? - can form the cornerstone of your strategy. Addressing these through diligent research, strategic market entry, and informed patent decisions can significantly enhance your chances of turning your bright idea into a successful product. The journey may be challenging, but with the right partner, it's one that's worth every step.