Inventors' Digests 10 Commandments Of Invention

1. Stay away from invention-marketing companies that advertiseon radio and late-night television. They're out to fatten theirwallets and empty yours.

2. Keep good records about your idea . . . someday, they may bethe backup you need to prove your idea is yours!

3. Go to a patent depository library and do your own patentsearch. If you find your invention is already patented, there'sno need to go to a patent attorney.

4. Build a model. No need to get fancy at first . . . cardboard,white glue, balsa wood, off-the-shelf parts. No matter how simplethe idea, prove it works.

5. Have your invention evaluated by an unbiasedprofessional.

6. Read all you can about new-product development. Go to yourlocal bookstore or library. Don't reinvent the wheel.

7. Network with other inventors. Join one of your localinventors' organizations.

8. If your patent search looks promising, make an appointmentwith a patent attorney. Show your attorney the results of yoursearch and follow the advice he or she gives you.

9. Do what you do well; hire professionals to do the rest.

10. Don't fall in love with your invention, but ifyou're really sure you've got a winner (see #5), hang inthere! Even "overnight" successes take a while.