Last week was all about patents at the Skandalaris Center. In collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Inventors Association of St. Louis, The Invent-Ed Network Connection, and St. Louis University we hosted a five-part series on patents and inventions.
On Monday, Part 1 began with an event led by an Attorney Advisor for Trademark Educational Outreach at the USPTO that explored how to use the Trademark Electronic Application System. The second session featured a panel of USPTO experts sharing the key differences between provisional patent applications, filing requirements and fees, how to file an application, and so much more.
Wednesday featured Part 2 Path to a Patent programming which included a workshop with USPTO experts on the basics of claim drafting, and a session on common mistakes and support available to inventors after filing.
The week ended with a “Keys to Licensing Success” event with Stephen Key, best-selling author of One Simple Idea and cofounder of InventRight.
In his talk with Inventors Association of St. Louis President and Skandalaris Center Expert on Call Cheri Renee (MSW), Stephen Key shared how inventors can get their new product ideas and designs in front of major brands, license their ideas, sell ideas to licenses using online resources, explore the contents of licensing agreements, and pitch product ideas to targeted licensees.
Stephen Key walked the audience through his personal trajectory to becoming an inventor and how he learned about people and developing ideas.
To encourage attendees Stephen shared a few product success stories in a variety of industries including toys, household, pets, medical, hardware, technology, automotive accessories, children, shoes, and so much more!
The highlight of the event was Stephen’s “Ten Steps to Licensing Success”:
Step 1: Study the marketplace.
Step 2: Invent for the marketplace.
Step 3: Evaluate your ideas. Can your ideas be licensed?
Step 4: Prototype your ideas. Show proof of concept.
Step 5: Create a one-sentence benefit statement.
Step 6: Create Sell Sheets and Videos
Step 7: Protect your ideas. Do you need a patent?
Step 8: Reach out to potential licensees
Step 9: Negotiate a licensing agreement
Step 10: Move on to your next great idea!
Stephen also walked attendees through the books he has written to help inventors navigate the keys to success.
The program ended with questions from the audience.
All of the week’s events were live-streamed on the Skandalaris Center YouTube page. Visit the following links to watch and take your inventions to the next level.
Learn “The ‘Key’ to Licensing Success” with Stephen Key
"How to Register a Trademark Yourself"
"How to Use the Trademark Application System"
Utility Patent Application Claim Drafting Workshop