CONTENTS OF TOOL KIT

The most important investment you, as an inventor, can make is to become as educated as possible about the steps necessary to take a product successfully to the marketplace. Our tool kit is for the inventor who has just come up with a bright idea and wants to know what to do next.

1.  Thank You for Contacting the MIC.  General information about the Minnesota Inventors Congress. (1 page)

2.  Invention Development Checklist:  Inventor’s guide to the steps in the invention development process.   (4 pages)

3.  The Inventor’s Notebook:  Do’s and don’ts to help inventors protect their inventions. (1 page)

4.  Confidentiality Agreement:  Sample of an agreement. Seek legal advice. (1 page)

5.  Evaluate Your Invention:  Questions/points to consider about one’s invention.  (4 pages)

6.  Reference Sheet:  Sources to aid in product protection, development, financing, and marketing.  (3 pages)

7.  Product Evaluation Directory: Reliable Organizations, contacts, and services to help inventors seeking product evaluations early in development process.  (2 pages)

8.  Internet Sites Helpful to the Inventor:  Internet Site Resource List.  (1 page)

9.  Provisional Application for Patent: USPTO brochure that describes the requirements and features of a provisional patent application. (1 page)

10.  Inventors’ Top Ten Most Common Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Those Mistakes. (1 page)

Information on Invention Promotion Companies:

11.  United States Patent and Trademark Office. Contact the USPTO BEFORE you get BURNED!: Information on Invention Development Companies.  (1 page)

12. Federal Trade Commission. Facts For Consumers Brochure:  Invention promotion firms - from FTC - Common sense tips, addresses for headquarters, and regional offices. (4 pages)

And Spotting Sweet Sounding Promises.  (2 pages)

13. Inventor Services Disclosure Form: Sample questionnaire for inventors - used to research firms/agencies offering services/evaluations, (invention promotion firms).  (2 pages)

14. Membership Form:  Information on becoming a member, dues and categories.  (1 page)

Inventors -  If you need further information, please check our website at: www.minnesotainventorscongress.org

or contact us at:

info@minnesotainventorscongress.org

or 1-800-INVENT1 (800.468.3681)