10 Mistakes Inventors Make

Mistake #1: Failing to Record your Inventing Progress

New inventors often make some common mistakes. Over the next several weeks our blog posts will cover the Top 10 common mistakes and how to avoid them. The designers and engineers at frethot are available at any phase of your invention to help you avoid the pitfalls of new inventors and bring your product to market. Feel free to visit our website www.frethot.com and contact us with any questions or to get moving on your next invention.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office awards a patent to the inventor who FIRST came up with an invention (you must also show diligence in developing your idea). An inventors notebook is a good way to keep track of your ideas and can also be used as proof of conception date. Below are several important items to keep in mind when keeping a log book.

1. You can start a log book as soon as you think of an idea.
2. Keepinig good records can be vital in proving conception date and continuous activity (these issues commonly arise during the patentint process).
3. Your log book should be bound and each page should be numbered consecutively. Also if you leave a page, or portion of a page blank, draw a line to indicate it was deliberate (this way it is evident if pages have been added or subtracted).
4. As you fill log books, start new ones and assign each book a consecutive number.
5. Keep these notebooks in a secure location.
6. Each entry in your log book should have a heading including the date, project number, and subject. The end of each entry should be dated and signed by any participants. If possible the entries should be signed and dated by a witness or Notary Public.
7. Use lots of detail.
8. Tape or staple loose materials (if possible) such as photographs, print outs and drawings into the notebook.
9. Make reference to any samples, models or prototypes.
10. Use pen, not a pencil.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this blog or need assistance with the design, engineering, specifying for manufacturing, graphic design, packaging design, prototyping, or manufacturing of your product, please visit our website at www.frethot.com.

Check back next week to see how to avoid Mistake #2 - Failing to Actually make your Invention (You Cant' Sell Ideas).