The Inventor's Bible, Fourth Edition: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas

508 Pages·2015·8.61 MB·English

by  Ronald Louis Docie Sr.

Praise for The Inventor’s Bible
“I’ve been an inventor for over 30 years and I believe this book could have
saved me much time and heartbreak had I read it when I was beginning
my invention career. Please read it and take notes! It is a God send!”
—STANLEY I. MASON, INVENTOR OF GRANOLA BARS AND DISPOSABLE DIAPERS, AND HOLDER
OF 55 PATENTS
“This remarkable and useful book is also a pleasure to read. David Sarnoff
defined an inventor as someone who makes others wealthy. Inventors who
read The Inventor’s Bible and follow its step-by-step instructions can now
more easily reap the rewards of their own ingenuity. Mr. Docie has
covered virtually every facet of invention: securing proprietary rights,
patents, licensing, and production. A must for inventors.”
—HUGH DOWNS, NETWORK NEWS ANCHOR
“Inventors should add The Inventor’s Bible to their bookshelves
immediately, but be certain to keep it within easy reach. This book is a
powerful compilation of useful advice from one who’s already been down
the rocky road to invention commercialization. Ron Docie has a lot of
experience to share, and he does so in an organized fashion.”
—DON KELLY, FORMER DIRECTOR, U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
“The Inventor’s Bible is an excellent collection of practical information
useful to all inventors, based on the author’s personal, extensive
experience. The text is not presented from a legal viewpoint but rather
follows essentially a business and financial path, which an inventor who
hopes to be financially successful should consider.”
—DON BANNER, FORMER COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
“Docie presents a refreshingly frank approach to invention development,
protection, and marketing. His advice on ‘tiered risk’ alone may save
inventors—both neophytes and seasoned—thousands of dollars as well as
invaluable time. His book is a must for the desk of every serious inventor.”
—JACK LANDER, VP, YANKEE INVENTION EXPOSITION AND FORMER PRESIDENT, UNITED
INVENTORS ASSOCIATION
“Rarely does a book come along that provides an accurate and thorough
explanation of the invention process. The real life stories and quotes not
only provide for interesting reading, but also adequately warn inventors
of potential pitfalls commonly encountered. I unconditionally
recommend The Inventor’s Bible to all inventors and businesses.”
—MICHAEL S. NEUSTEL, PATENT ATTORNEY AND DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INVENTOR FRAUD
CENTER
“I can recommend The Inventor’s Bible without reservation as a most
valuable resource for the independent inventor who is looking to develop
and bring an invention to market. The Inventor’s Bible clearly reflects in-
depth and long-time experience in the field of invention development
and marketing. It is well written, very readable, and quite thorough in
describing what needs to be done by the independent inventor…to
successfully get an invention into the marketplace. The ‘how-to’ aspects of
The Inventor’s Bible are extraordinarily detailed.”
—GEORGE LEWETT, FORMER DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
“The Inventor’s Bible takes readers from Genesis through Revelation in the
convoluted world of inventing. This is the book that every inventor needs
to read. Ron’s been there and done that, and now he shares his expertise.
Before spending a dime on patents or services, get this book.”
—ED SOBEY, PH.D., PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST INVENTION CENTER
“Ron has outdone himself! In my opinion The Inventor’s Bible can be
considered the good book for inventors. What you have here is an
excellent guide with rock-solid information that will definitely steer
inventors on the right course. But it’s also intertwined with Ron’s personal
experiences, which will help inventors be more realistic. Whether you’re
thinking of inventing or are already a professional in the inventing field,
Ron’s book is easy to read and he covers a lot of territory very well. Chock
full of information, tips, words of wisdom, and resources, The Inventor’s
Bible will teach, prod, and motivate readers.”
—STEPHEN PAUL GNASS, FOUNDER, INVENTION CONVENTION® TRADE SHOW AND
PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CONGRESS OF INVENTOR ORGANIZATIONS

DISCLAIMER
The author is not an attorney, nor registered to practice in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, and it is not expressed or implied that the author or Docie Development, LLC, is
offering legal advice in this book. The author, acting in association with Docie Development,
LLC, dba Docie Marketing, refers to legal issues, the law, patenting, and U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office procedures only as a point of reference to help readers better understand
how legal issues may affect the marketing aspect of invention commercialization. The laws
and procedures referred to in this book may change, and various courts may interpret the law
differently. Therefore, the author highly recommends that the reader should seek the
assistance of registered attorneys regarding legal issues, the law, and patent procedures.
Neither the author nor the publisher endorse or condone the use of any of the resources
listed in this book—these references are merely provided as potential sources of useful
information and material. The author is neither responsible for the content of these external
resources nor for the consequences that may result from readers’ interactions therewith. It is
the reader’s responsibility to research and confirm the legitimacy and relevance of any
resources he or she decides to contact. Also note that some of the resources’ contact details
and information may have changed since the time of publication.
Copyright © 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015 by Docie Development, LLC
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a
division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.tenspeed.com
Ten Speed Press and the Ten Speed Press colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random
House LLC.
Previous editions of this work were published by Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, in 2001, 2004, and
2010.
Special thanks to Jim Davie of the Patent Office Historical Collection for granting permission to use
the original patent drawings (appearing on this page, this page, this page, this page, this page, this
page, this page, this page, this page, this page, this page, this page, this page, this page, and this
page) from the National Archives.
Portions of this book previously appeared in Royalties in Your Future: An Inventor’s and
Entrepreneur’s Guide to Marketing and Licensing Inventions, Patents, and Technology, copyright ©
1998 by Ronald L. Docie Sr., Docie Marketing.
A downloadable PDF of the Patent and New Product Marketing Workbook (see this page) is
available at www.penguinrandomhouse.com. Simply look up The Inventor’s Bible to access the
computer printable version.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Docie, Ronald Louis.
The inventor’s bible : how to market and license your brilliant ideas / Ronald Louis Docie, Sr.—
Fourth edition.
pages cm
Summary: “The definitive guide for inventors, newly updated with the latest patenting laws,
information on crowdfunding, and online resources”—Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. New products—United States—Marketing. 2. Inventions—United States. 3. Patents—United
States. I. Title.
HF5415.153.D63 2015
658.8--dc23
2015014587
Trade Paperback ISBN: 9781607749271
eBook ISBN 9781607749288
Cover design by Katy Brown
eBook design adapted from printed text design by Lynn Bell, Monroe Street Studios eBook design
adapted from printed workbook design by Betsy Stromberg
v4.1
a
Dedication
I dedicate this book to Drue, Taylor,
Ronnie, Tanner, Louis, and Andy Docie,
Metra, and, of course, Mom. Your love and
support helped to make this possible.
Thank you!
Acknowledgments
To the people listed below, please know that your assistance, support, and
in many cases kindness, over the years are much appreciated. I thank each
of you for your help: Aaron Wehner; Al and Dorothy Shuster; Ashley
Thompson; Basia Lubicz; Becky Huff; Betsy Stromberg; Bob Fletcher, Esq.;
Brad Liston; Brady Kahn; Cal Wight; Carol Oldenburg; Cathie Kirik; Chris
Eaton; Cindy Poland; Clancy Drake; Clark Yamazaki; Colleen Cain;
Connie Elliot; Craig Dupler; Dave Ellies; David Brennan; David Smith;
Dick Apley; Don Armacost, Jr.; Don Banner, Esq.; Don Barber; Don
Wirtshafter; Donald Grant Kelly; Douglas Duff, Esq.; Ed Verry; Ed
Zimmer; Eric Hart; Erika Bradfield; Ernie Clutter; George P. Lewett; Greg
Ball; Jack Lander; Jeffery Jones; Jennifer McArdle; Jennifer Mortiz; Jerry
Udell; Jim Davie; Jim Fingar; Jo Ann Deck; Joanne Hayes-Rines; Joe
Marsalka; John Brody, Esq.; John Buck Patton; John L. Gray, Esq.; John
Larimer; John Schenken; Jonathan Gilbert; Julie Bennett; Kara Van de
Water; Kathy Adkins; Kathy Harty; Kathy Hashimoto; Katy Brown; Kirsty
Melville; Lisa Regul; Lisa Y. Dill; Lajos Silberstein; Lorena Jones; Lynn Bell;
Marilyn Rauch; Melody Sands Gates; Michael Neustel, Esq.; Mike Bayless;
The Misers; Norm and Abe Matthew; Paul Gerig, Esq.; Patrick O’Reilly III,
Esq.; Peter Charet; Peter Trzyna; Phil Wood; Pixie Picketts; Richard
Maulsby; Richard Shoemaker; Rick Leveille; Robert D. Smith; Robert
Wortman; Ron Versic; Sam Girton; Sam Seltzer; Sara Madsen; Scott
Pennelly; Shirley Coe; Stanley I. Mason; Susan Pi; T. Lee Van Dyke; Ted
Ongaro Family; Tommy Tabatowski; Todd H. Bailey, Esq.; Wally Downs;
and all of my clients, past and present, from around the world.
And thanks to those organizations whose help I greatly appreciate:
Frognet; Keglar, Brown, Hill & Ritter; Publisher’s Graphics; U.S.
Department of Energy; USPTO Office for Independent Inventors;
Inventor’s Initiative Program for financial support for the original work
that provided the basis for this book; the USDOE Inventions and
Innovation program for being there for inventors; the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office for permissions; and all the people behind the scenes at
Ten Speed Press who helped to make this book possible.