In 2006, Chicago-based Ocean Tomo launched an ambitious plan – provide a market where inventors, small companies and large corporations could buy and sell patents at open auction, a sort of Sotheby’s for IP. Yet after early success, Ocean Tomo’s auction model has hit rough seas. By B. Collins It was early April and Dean [...]
The Lemelson-MIT Program today announced 15 teams of high school students, teachers and mentors selected to participate in the 2009–2010 InvenTeam initiative. The teams will pursue year-long invention projects and be provided with hands-on access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Grant Applications Now Available for 2010 – 2011 School Year The Lemelson-MIT [...]
By Jack Lander When it comes to tooling parts, three main principles apply: Tooling is available in a range of options based on quality and cost. Each option fits a total anticipated lifetime quantity of parts to be produced. Each option affects the cost of the parts it produces and the cost of the tooling [...]
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, under the leadership of new head and former IBM-er David Kappos, is rolling back some of the more onerous policies advanced under the former regime. We couldn’t be happier to see what’s happening at the patent office so far. Kappos and team seem like an enlightened bunch. The press [...]
By Mike Drummond Editor’s note: This story appeared in our September 2008 issue. Inventor’s Digest has no relationship – unofficial or otherwise – with the planning or production of INPEX. Patent attorney David DeMay is seated alone at his information booth inside INPEX, the largest inventor tradeshow in the nation. He looks a little nervous. [...]
Four of nine United Inventors Association board members have quit or have said they are going to quit – three on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the wake of a newsletter sent under the auspices of InventHelp, an invention-submission company viewed by many as an industry pariah. The UIA and InventHelp, formerly Invention Submission Corp., have [...]
By Devin White So, I was just thinking in class today, I feel like I don’t have enough time to devote to my inventions with school, sports, and such. Then I had a sort of light-bulb moment, well not exactly. Who says innovation can’t be a class? Why not? I’m sure it’s out there somewhere [...]
Last year the National Professional Paintball League approved inventor Richard Phillips’ “No Surrender” vests for official tournament competitions. Some vests can deflect paintballs, a no-no in tourney play. If the ball doesn’t bust, the shot doesn’t count. No Surrender vests protect players without compromising point scoring. Unfortunately, the NPPL declared bankruptcy last year. Phillips is [...]
The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) announced the launch of BMEStart, an award recognizing undergraduate excellence in biomedical innovation. BMEStart stands apart from the NCIIA’s other biomedical competition (BMEidea) because of its focus on younger inventors who do not have as much experience with product development. The BMEStart competition welcomes submissions from undergraduate [...]
When fashions collide, Wallots keep you color coordinated By Edie Tolchin Listen up, fashionistas. It’s easy to coordinate your shoe color with your purse. Say you have a fuchsia sandal and a matching fuchsia handbag. But you have a very non-matching lime-green wallet. What to do, what to do.… Ask Las Vegas native Shannon Greenfield, [...]