Independent Inventor Resources

Resources for independent inventors and entrepreneurs. Includes legal help, funding advice, patent searching tutorials, and more.

General

Case Studies on Intellectual Property (IP Advantage)
https://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/
The case studies in WIPO’s IP Advantage database offer insights into how IP works in the real world, and how its successful exploitation can contribute to development. Contains profiles of intellectual property case studies from around the world. The collection of 100+ cases cover patents, trademarks and copyright.

Everyday Edisons
https://www.everydayedisons.com/
Popular PBS reality series that documents the development process of 14 inventions and the parallel stories of the people who invented them. Selected from thousands, the 14 Everyday Edisons learn how their extraordinary ideas are taken from a sketch on a napkin to a store shelf.

From Patent to Profit
http://www.frompatenttoprofit.com/
Articles and information on getting started, marketing, manufacturing, patenting, and licensing.

Invention and Design
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/id/id_home.html
Excellent educational site for the inventing and design process. Geared toward teachers and students but useful to anyone who wants to better understand the creative process of inventing.

Invention Connections
http://www.inventionconvention.com/ncio/
Lots of getting started information, protecting your inventions, document disclosure, an online magazine and a free Inventing 101 online course.

Invention Dimension
http://web.mit.edu/invent/
Site for inventors from MIT. Includes information on famous inventors, a Handbook for Independent Inventors plus links to other inventing sites.

Invent Net
http://inventnet.com/
This site contains mainly news items and website links.

Inventor Resource (UK)
http://www.inventorresource.co.uk/
Reference on design, patent, legal, business plan and funding advice for UK inventors.

InventorEd, Inc.
http://www.rjriley.com/site-index/
This is a fabulous site for looking up invention scams and scammers. Also, site has lots of articles and links regarding all aspects of inventing and inventions.

Inventors @ ThoughtCo.
https://www.thoughtco.com/famous-inventors-4133300
A gateway to many invention sites, plus articles on inventors, the history of technology, and the patenting process.

Inventor’s Digest
https://www.inventorsdigest.com/
Site from the publishers of the magazine of the same name. Site has current news & events plus information for all inventive types, from the novice to the experienced inventor. Lots of how-to articles, success stories, inventor groups & more.

US Small Business Administration
https://www.sba.gov/
One of the best sites on the internet for any type of small business information, including funding, government contracting, programs for women and minorities and general start up information.

United Inventors Association
https://www.uiausa.com/
Non-profit educational organization. This site includes first steps for the novice, the ability to ask specific questions of experts, news releases, books and more.

US Patent Trademark Office Independent Inventors Website
http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resources
The whole USPTO site is a great resource for the inventor but this link provides information specifically for the independent inventor. With answers to frequently asked questions, brochures and forms to download, and additional links. You may even be able to file your patent or trademark application online through the website.

US Patent Trademark Office Nationwide Pro Bono Program
http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program
This page lists resources for those inventors that are either filing on their own behalf (pro se) or are seeking free or greatly reduced services from patent professionals.

World Intellectual Property Organization
https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html
Information & links to all types of international intellectual property laws, links to webpages from various countries, and international news stories.

Funding & Incubators

Business Incubators
http://www.capital-connection.com/incubators.html
Links to business incubators across the U.S., as well as, financing opportunities such as venture capital, angel investing, loans, and more.

NASA Commercial Technology Network
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff1998/ctn1.htm
Information on organizations and programs sponsored by NASA, including research and development and funding.

National Business Incubation Association
https://inbia.org/
Directory of incubators, information on funding, tips, a calendar of business incubation-related events & bi-monthly newsletter.

National Science Foundation
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/azindex.jsp
Contains information on grants and financial awards in the science areas, some a for innovations and inventions.

SBA Federal Grant Resources
https://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants
Links to various government programs for funding.

SBA Technology SBIR/STTR
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/oca/resources/11419
Provides information and links to information about the SBIR/STTR programs, awards, and assistance to women and minorities

SBIR Gateway (Small Business Innovation Research)
https://www.zynsys.com/sbir/
A federal government program designed to provide early-stage research and development funding to small technology companies. This site has everything you need to know about the program plus links to other websites.

Business

Association of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
https://americassbdc.org/
Links to SBDCs in different states and to other government sites

Business Plan for Independent Inventors
https://www.thoughtco.com/sample-business-plan-4083327
Step-by-step help for doing a business plan if your business involves an invention. Also has links to other intellectual property information.

Small Business Technology Council
https://sbtc.org/
Contains news updates, a free email newsletter plus additional resources if you sign up as a member.

Scams & Invention Evaluation

National Inventor Fraud Center, Inc.
http://www.inventorfraud.com/
In addition to providing a list of invention scams, recent news, court actions and how to spot a scam there is also a lot of great information on inventing and patenting in general.

WISC Wisconsin Innovation Service Center
http://Academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/index.htm
Legitimate organization that does research (for a fee) on technical & market feasibility, patentability, competitive intelligence and more.

Legal

Findlaw: Intellectual Property
https://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/intellectual-property.html
Excellent site for text of laws, legal codes and cases.

Intellectual Property Basics
https://cfe.umich.edu/intellectual-property-basics-video-series/
Bryce Pilz, a Law Professor at the University of Michigan delivers this series of short videos designed to guide entrepreneurs through the important concepts of intellectual property during their startup. The series of 3-5 minute videos cover over 60 topics, including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.

KuesterLaw
http://www.kuesterlaw.com/
Website includes information dealing with technology law, including intellectual property. Also has links to other sites.

Nolo Press
https://www.nolo.com/
Website of the publisher of many excellent books on intellectual property. Definitions, articles, FAQs (frequently asked questions) and some forms.

Links

Burdlaw.com Links for the Independent Inventor
http://www.burdlaw.com/inventor.htm
Links to general intellectual property information plus attorneys, marketing, funding, prototypes, inventor groups and more.

List of Patent Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs)
http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-and-trademark-resource-centers-ptrc/ptrc-locations
Links to PTDLs across the United States and its territories. Often these sites themselves have information or links to information on intellectual property.

NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership
http://www.nist.gov/mep
A nationwide network of not-for-profit centers nationwide. The centers provide small manufacturers with technical and business assistance, such as product development, financial planning, marketing and more. Locate center near you, learn more about lean manufacturing and more.

Small Business Administration – Small Business Development Centers
https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/osbdc/resources/11409
Links to websites of SBDCs nationwide. Also links to the SBDC homepage on SBA website which has lots of great information

State Incubation Associations
https://inbia.org/services/resources/
Find a business incubator or just learn more about incubators and what they do.

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