The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in on Your Inventions

by Richard C. Levy

Book Overview

Presents information on how to successfully market an invention covering such topics as licensing options, negotiating deals, patents and trademarks, and copyrights. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 161564007X
• ISBN13: 9781615640072
• Release Date: June 2010
• Publisher: Alpha Books
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.2" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Worth Buying

Thank goodness I didn't take the advice of "A reader" who only gave this book one star ("not very useful, July 30, 2003"). My library had an electronic copy of this book that I've been reading online for the past hour. I'm at the point in the invention process where I've designed my invention and now I need to build a prototype. Already I've gotten valuable advice on invention promotion firms, licensing versus venturing, and where to receive government funding. When I wrote this review, it wasn't possible to search inside the book. That has since been corrected. Search for and read "Levy's 10 Commandments for Success" on page 12 and "Do You Need a Patent Attorney?" on page 162 for some good advice. I often rely on reader reviews to help me decide whether to buy a book. However, it's obvious that "A reader" didn't give this book a chance. You will certainly need to read more than one book to learn how to make money from inventing. Your library will probably have lots of inventor books you can read before making a decision to buy. Even if you are going to use a patent attorney, you definitely need to buy "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in on Your Inventions" is another book to own for its helpful tips at many points along the path to profiting from your invention.

The Power is in the Sale.

I recently bought the Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing In on Your Inventions and found it a treasure trove of invaluable information. This is real world stuff, written by a guy who is obviously in the arena everyday. It was exactly what I needed to give myself an edge. In fact, following Levy's advice, I have already placed two products with licensees. Levy is described on the back cover of his book as "a marketing genius with a flair for invention." The capacity for creating is shared in measure by us all. The capacity to create salable products and commercialize them is a skill known but to a few. Inventors who do not appreciate the importance of marketing will wind up with 100% ownership of nothing. Levy has achieved remarkable commercial success, and every serious inventor or designer who wants advice on how to successfully license to industry should read this book.

Advice From Soup To Nuts

I tried plowing through this book from beginning to end and found it much more valuable as a general reference than as a step-by-step guide. This is because every case is different and requires different treatment in handling the patents and trademarks involved. The author puts forth various alternative approaches to patenting, licensing, trademarking, manufacturing, etc. - each section is useful in ascertaining the best approach you should take in your own particular case. There are many options that may not occur to someone like myself who is going through this process for the first time, so it is a big help to be mentored by someone who's been down that road before.Bruce BoatnerInventor, PEGASUS Wind Engine (TM)

A great book for the novice and expert alike

Whether you are an inventor, aspiring inventor or want a remarkable insight into the art and science of inventing, this is a must read. I have worked with and among inventors for most of my career and yet this book is already dog eared, annotated and all marked up so I can easily reference its many gems. It is a fun and easy read and packed with information I find I use daily!

Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in On Your Inventions

Inventor-marketer Richard C. Levy has written a one-of-a-kind, practical, easy-to-read and understand guide to licensing inventions. It is thequintessential tool for inventors who want to attain the American dream. I have read the complete body of literature on invention marketing and this book is the best of the lot.His forte is business practices, and every bit of advice is rooted in his own empirical experience. Nothing is theoretical. In particular, Levy's 10 Commandments of Negotiation are outstanding. And the licensing and option agreements will save me thousands of dollars in legal fees.It is obvious that the author makes his living from royalties and not books and seminars. Most books in this genre are written by self-proclaimed inventors, invention marketing experts, and patent lawyers. Few of these people can point to success. The money they earn is from consultation fees, not royalties. Levy is a full time player whose success has been remarkable,and it can be seen beginning with the cover photo depicting him with some of his licensed products.If you want an added edge, read this book.