Indiana Inventors Association

Inventors in our group gave us insight this month into the real world of innovation. Having a good idea and making a few items is just the start. You need to be creative, take risks, establish personal contacts, and persevere. A little luck helps too! What should you invent? Start with what you know best - the field in which you work. Ron Jackson ( Jackson Systems ), who works in the field of heating & air conditioning, has invented some 35 products (mostly unpatented ) in that field. He believes that if you have a good idea, understand marketing, and beat others to the marketplace, you have a good chance of dominating the market. Protecting that advantage with a patent may be a good idea if your invention is unique and you think someone might infringe. How do you create a place for your invention in the marketplace? Let the public know about your invention. Bob Dunlap ( The Cement Solution ) brings attention to his Reusable Concrete Mixing Bag in a YouTube video, in holding the...

Mr. John Daniluck of the law firm Bingham McHale spoke to us about recent actual and potential changes to the patent system. As of 11/1/2007, there are two major changes to Title 37 - Code of Federal Regulations: In seeking patent protection for an invention, you are limited to filing one family of 3 patent applications (1 original application and 2 continuation applications) and 1 request for continued examination of an application, unless you make a "showing" of why you need more. Each of those applications is limited to 5 independent claims and 25 total claims (allowing you 15 independent claims and 75 total claims for the family of applications), unless you present an examination support document for all the claims of that application. These changes could affect your strategy for best protecting your invention. You may want to consult a patent attorney/agent. More change may be on the way. On 9/7/2007 bill HR 1908 passed the House. If the bill passes the Senate, U....