Archive for June, 2007
Hello, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, here with another update regarding a momentous Friday. A mailbox accessory from the Invent-Tech roster that has been receiving an advanced level of interest from a Rhode Island-based manufacturer appears to be on the verge of becoming the subject of a licensing agreement.
The inventor has dealt extensively with this company, which has reviewed all of the detailed design information on the product idea and has been evaluating the possibility of committing to it. The inventor reports that a draft of a licensing proposal that the Manufacturer Response Team member handling this situation had sent for the review of both parties several weeks ago has now been signed by both himself and the licensee in person, and that it has been mailed to the Invent-Tech offices.
While the agreement is not official until we have it in hand, we are hopeful of being able to confirm the receipt of the fully executed document as early as Monday afternoon. Check back with us next week for all of the details!
June 30th, 2007
Hello, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with an update regarding what was an eventful and fruitful Friday at the nation’s preeminent inventor assistance firm. We are very pleased to report that one of our positive developments today was the receipt of a licensing agreement signed by a Michigan-based manufacturer for a hair grooming accessory from the Invent-Tech roster. This is the same situation that we had most recently reported on in an April 2nd entry (”Invent-Tech officially secures advanced level of interest in writing on hair grooming accessory…“).
As we’d explained in that entry, the company had expressed an advanced level of interest in the invention after reviewing the detailed design information they had been sent by Invent-Tech purusant to their signing of a non-disclosure agreement. We had also noted in that April 2nd posting that we hoped this situation would eventually culminate in a licensing agreement, and it appears that the best case scenario may be coming to fruition!
Several days ago, the manufacturer had contacted the Manufacturer Response Team member that had been handling the situation since the onset and it had been determined that they were prepared to review a draft of a licensing agreement. Accordingly, the Manufacturer Response Team member had sent an initial licensing proposal to them and they had spent the last several days reviewing it. Their decision apparently made, they faxed in the signed signature page late Friday afternoon to the Invent-Tech offices.
We will have many more details on this situation next week once the inventor has also signed the document, which will make it official. Check back frequently!
June 29th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with a quick Thursday evening entry. Updating a situation we had initially reported on March 22nd (”Invent-Tech contacted by multi-million dollar household products manufacturer for potential business relationship…“), our Manufacturer Response Team has attempted a telephone follow-up with our contact at the manufacturer mentioned in that posting regarding the Innovation Direct™ package sent to them several weeks ago.
A recent e-mail follow-up attempt had gone unanswered, and so a telephone call was the next logical step. We are hopeful of receiving impressions on the preliminary, non-confidential information on the 10 product ideas sent from the Invent-Tech roster to this company as soon as possible.
Join us tomorrow as we begin our searches through the Invent-Tech database for product ideas to be sent to leads met at Licensing International 2007!
June 29th, 2007
Today is yet another Wednesday. On what many people fondly call ‘hump day,’ the halfway point of the work week, you can feel that Friday and the beloved weekend are ever closer. Mobile professionals around the country and the world are probably shuttling back and forth between the office, business meetings, client appointments and various other locations to get as much as possible done today, especially since the month is coming to a close, and many business quotas and deadlines are due at the end of a month.
Since the introduction of handy devices like cell phones, laptops and WiFi, people have been able to get much more done ‘on the go,’ and many find themselves doing business in unconventional spaces, such as their vehicle, a park or a remote construction site. Several inventors have created work-related accessories that have evolved to solve problems faced by mobile professionals.
Although driving while using it is probably a bad idea, the Wheel Desk, invented by John S. of Idaho, provides a convenient place to read, write or use a laptop while sitting in a vehicle. This product offers specialized features that transform the driver’s seat of a vehicle into a convenient and organized virtual office.
The Wheel Desk will prove valuable to traveling sales professionals, recreational vehicle owners, parents and others who spend a significant amount of time in a vehicle. Featuring a simple, inexpensive design, this innovation will greatly improve mobile work-or pleasure-related activities.
The Back Seat Organizer, invented by Terry P. of Saskatchewan, offers simple organization to work supplies carried in a vehicle. This product provides secure and organized storage for papers, books and office supplies in the back seat. It ensures that items are kept neat and in order for convenient accessibility when needed.
The Back Seat Organizer addresses a common need for those who use their vehicles for work purposes, as well as students. It would simplify and enhance their working environment, saving time and effort on the job.
Terry has created a prototype of the Back Seat Organizer, which is available for review under the appropriate terms and conditions of confidentiality.
The LT Companion, invented by Juan B. of California, offers a portable work station for a laptop computer. This product eliminates fumbling around with the laptop on one’s lap, granting users the organized space they need to work on the computer.
The lightweight, durable and compact LT Companion enhances convenience and comfort whenever and wherever one needs to use their computer. It promotes the mobility and ease of use that laptops were designed for in the first place.
We have introduced just a few of the valuable innovations our clients have invented as solutions to the organization needs of mobile professionals. Additional information about the Wheel Desk, Back Seat Organizer, LT Companion or other products Invent-Tech represents may be obtained by contacting the Publicity/Press Department of Invent-Tech at (800) 940-9020 ext. 2285 or at products@invent-tech.com. Invent-Tech® is a Coral Gables, Florida-based firm that is handling the publicity and public relations for these innovations.
June 27th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, back for an encore entry. A situation we had most recently reported on during our Day 1 coverage of Licensing International 2007 on June 19th (”Invent-Tech closes out Day 1 of Licensing International 2007 with visit from company already showing advanced level of interest in multiple inventions…“), took another step late Friday when the conference call that had been attempted once before between the potential licensee, the inventor, and Invent-Tech finally took place.
The inventor was able to provide the manufacturer with a summary of how he built a crude prototype of his invention, which was the main purpose for the call. The manufacturer explained that they had attempted to build several similar products in the past but had not been successful, and were therefore very interested in how the inventor has gone about putting together his version of the item so far.
All reports from the call appear to indicate that the company representative was able to extract some potentially useful information, and he also confirmed that he will be passing along the information to others in the company that would evaluate if the item could be developed further. Additionally, according to the Director of Merchandising that serves as our contact, he will be presenting the idea to his company’s Invention Committee on Monday, July 9th.
We will continue to keep you posted on all developments with this situation, here on the Invent-Tech Network. Join us tomorrow for more news!
June 26th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, chiming in with a Tuesday update. A situation we first reported on in the midst of our Licensing International 2007 coverage in a June 21st entry (”Invent-Tech involved in licensing discussions with manufacturer during Day 3 of Licensing International 2007…“) has developed further. As we’d reported in that posting, a manufacturer that had reviewed detailed design information on a tool invention from the Invent-Tech roster had agreed to be sent a licensing agreement proposal for the item as soon as we got back from the event, as they apparently felt confident enough in the product idea to consider a commitment at this point.
Accordingly, the company was sent the draft of the licensing agreement late yesterday afternoon by the Manufacturer Response Team member that has been handling the scenario since the onset. Our contact at the company requested that the document be faxed to them as opposed to being sent via express mail, which we gladly complied with. Both parties agreed to speak again later in the week after the potential licensee had a chance to review the agreement completely.
As we always state in these types of situations, there is no guarantee, regardless of how optimistic the matter currently appears, that this scenario will eventually result in licensing success. However, as usual, we will provide you updates every step of the way, here on the Invent-Tech Network. Stay tuned!
June 26th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in from back at home base in South Florida after returning from last week’s Licensing International 2007. Before we even had an opportunity to begin searching the database for the many leads met at last week’s show, we were already being contacted via e-mail by the Vice President of Product Development for a 160 year-old company that has long been recognized as a worldwide leader in the area of hardware and tool products in particular.
The initial contact was made through the Manufacturer Sign-Up portal that is found on our official website, www.invent-tech.com. We immediately responded with an e-mail thanking the company for their interest in Invent-Tech inventor product ideas and requesting that they elaborate on their confidentiality policies. We were pleased to receive a reply shortly afterwards that affirmed that the company did have their own non-disclosure agreement they preferred to use, and which included the document as an attachment. After reviewing the terms of their confidentiality policies and finding them to be fully comparable that populate our own version of a non-disclosure agreement, we informed our contact that we would be preparing a package of new product information as soon as possible to present to him.
Needless to say, we are particularly excited about the potential that a working relationship with this manufacturer holds. With a track record that includes the release of 400 new products over a 4 year period earlier this decade as per their official website, we believe this manufacturer may eventually prove to be one of the most valuable leads we’ve ever obtained.
As customary, we will document every step of this burgeoning relationship here on the Invent-Tech Network. Join us tomorrow for more news!
June 25th, 2007
The summer solstice has passed, so it’s official; the days are getting shorter. Many people marked the occasion by enjoying outdoor activities long into the evening. In Alaska, where the sun barely sets on June 21st, they played basketball at midnight. But face it, short winter days will be here in a blink. It’s time to pack in all the fun outdoor activities you can handle.
Sometimes, though, you get bored with the traditional outdoor games that we’ve been playing for years. Luckily, several Invent-Tech inventors have created new outdoor games that will fill those long summer days with fun.
Not many games have the ability to bring young and old individuals together. Tony H.’s Outdoor Game is one of the very few that can do that. The California resident created the Outdoor Game to offer a new form of entertainment to individuals of all ages. It brings all generations together and can be played outdoors. This game will introduce laughter and amusement as it will create bonds between friends and family members. In addition, it is affordably priced to appeal to a wide market of consumers.
Thing Of A Boober, invented by Jeffrey H. of Ohio, offers players of all ages a fun outdoor activity that develops hand-eye coordination. Spending time together playing Thing Of A Boober can also help develop relationships with a dose of healthy competition.
Thing Of A Boober will entice people to get up from in front of the television and get their blood pumping, which is important to remaining fit and healthy in an age where obesity and inactivity are all too prevalent. For its combination of fun and practical value, Thing Of A Boober could do very well through outlets for outdoor games.
Rebecca H. and her husband were playing horseshoes when the Kentucky resident conceived an idea for a similar yet much more entertaining game. Her product is called Hill Billy Horseshoes, and promises to be an exciting outdoor activity for the whole family.
Hill Billy Horseshoes is both fun and educational, in that it can aid in teaching younger children to count. The easy to install and affordably priced product will appeal to a wide range of consumers that enjoy outdoor barbecues, picnics, and camping excursions.
We have introduced just a few of the valuable innovations our clients have invented as alternatives to everyday outdoor games. Additional information about the Outdoor Game, Thing Of A Boober, Hill Billy Horseshoes or other products Invent-Tech represents may be obtained by contacting the Publicity/Press Department of Invent-Tech at (800) 940-9020 ext. 2285 or at products@invent-tech.com. Invent-Tech® is a Coral Gables, Florida-based firm that is handling the publicity and public relations for these innovations.
June 22nd, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, here with our final update regarding Licensing International 2007. What was a very successful show for Invent-Tech appropriately culminated with a conversation with the president of a Connecticut-based sporting goods manufacturer that has traditionally been associated with products in this category that are targeted toward children.
However, as the president of the company explained to us, things are changing for his company now that they have acquired the license for the brand of the sports division of one of the leading broadcast television networks. As a result, they are now expanding their scope to sporting goods products for all ages and emphasized that they are open to reviewing any information Invent-Tech is willing to send them on products that will be potentially relevant matches.
Needless to say, we will begin searches throughout the Invent-Tech database on behalf of this company as soon as possible after the show’s conclusion. We are particularly excited about this opportunity and will bring you the news on any developments as they occur, here on the Invent-Tech Network.
Thank you for joining us throughout all 3 days of this event on the Invent-Tech Network Blog. With the wealth of new leads met at this event, we certainly expect to have plenty to report on in the coming weeks and months!
Check in with us tomorrow as we wrap up what has been a tremendous week!
June 21st, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with a non-trade show related update. As we mentioned in the entry immediately preceding this one, even while at a trade show, we are constantly keeping tabs on the various potential licensing scenarios that are already established back at the office. Accordingly, we have received a written statement of interest from an India-based company in an instructional sporting goods accessory that they’ve been reviewing for several weeks.
The company had recently signed a non-disclosure agreement after requesting more details on the invention. They had been sent access to all of the detailed design information on the product idea at that point and had spent several days deliberating the information. Earlier today, we received confirmation via e-mail that they were planning on evaluating the invention in all aspects over the next several weeks in order to make a decision on whether they would be interested in commiting to a licensing agreement.
We are pleased to be able to bring you news of a positive development from home base, even as we are in the midst of a terrific Licensing International 2007 event! Join us later in the day for a wrap-up of Day 3!
June 21st, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, here with another update regarding Day 3 of Licensing International 2007. Even though we are obviously focused primarily on the many happenings that take place throughout the trade show, we also are constantly in contact with our colleagues back at the office regarding existing situations that may require our attention. One such example occurred just a short time ago, when one of the members of the Manufacturer Response Team attending Licensing International 2007 received word via e-mail from a colleague back at the office that a manufacturer wished to speak to him regarding a tool invention he had recently received detailed design information about.
Accordingly, our trade show representative immediately placed a call to the manufacturer and spoke to him about his take on the product based on the information he’d already seen. The manufacturer explained that he was already working with the inventor in making a few test samples, and that he would like to proceed to the next step in this process. After receiving a verbal overview of our licensing approach, the manufacturer requested that we send him an initial draft of a licensing proposal for his review as soon as we returned to the office next Monday.
We are pleased to bring you a tangible example of how the Manufacturer Response Team works cohesively to provide optimal representation to the inventions that we represent, even when we are not in the office! Check back later today for more news!
June 21st, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, chiming in with our first update from Day 3 of Licensing International 2007. Although the brisk pace seen in the first 2 days has experienced somewhat of a downturn, there are still a considerable number of attendees roaming the aisles of the Jacob Javits Center.
One such individual was the owner of a strategic planning firm for intellectual properties who had requested a meeting with us before the show started. We discussed our business model extensively during our meeting, and began to explore the many potential avenues through which the inventions represented by Invent-Tech could benefit by us establishing a relationship with this company.
We agreed that not only could Invent-Tech serve as a potential referral source for inventors that this contact deals with, but that she also could pass along inventions from our roster to the many connections that she has built up in industry. With a professional history that includes executive positions at various entertainment and publishing conglomerates, we feel that this contact will potentially assist us in getting information on our product ideas into the hands of decision-makers at several major companies. This contact made it a point to emphasize that she also has established relationships in the infomercial and toy industries in particular. Accordingly, we will be gathering ideas to send to her in the areas of pets, household, fitness, and children’s products, just to name a few.
Join us later in the day for more news!
June 21st, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with a final wrap-up of a very busy Day 2 of Licensing International 2007. The Invent-Tech booth was the recipient of a constant flow of traffic all afternoon, so much so that any further updates to the Invent-Tech Network had to be postponed until after show hours.
There was a pleothora of potentially valuable leads that emerged from our afternoon discussions. One such company is a Mississauga, Ontario-based manufacturer interested in receiving information on product ideas in the sporting goods industry, as well on items in certain areas of the medical and health fields. The company does have mass retail distribution, which is one of the most essential characteristics for a potential licensee of Invent-Tech inventor products. We had the pleasure of meeting both the Managing Director and the Vice President of Marketing for the firm, and they gladly provided their detailed contact information for the purpose of being included in our Innovation Direct™ program.
A New Jersey-based multi-media company that is a major producer of infomercials was another key contact secured during Day 2. The company representative that visited our booth took the time to go over the several different channels through which they are able to develop and market concepts, and assured us that they had the ability to handle the entire process from start to finish for a product idea that they were interested in. Upon hearing our description and explanation of Innovation Direct™, the company representative expressed an immediate interest in being included in the program.
Finally, we also had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with one of the principals of a New Jersey-headquartered company that specialized in footwear and related accessories. However, in yet another very tangible example of the considerable diversity that many of the attendees of a typical trade show possess with regards to their product lines, the gentleman also emphasized that he would like to review construction, hardware, and tool items for a separate venture he is also a part of.
As customary, all of these contacts have already been e-mailed a letter of acknowledgement and appreciation of the time they took to visit our booth and the interest they appear to have in establishing a relationship with Invent-Tech. We expect that the next few weeks will certainly bring some developments with regards to all of these companies, and all of the details will be found here on the Invent-Tech Network.
Join us tomorrow as we strive to maintain the tremendous momentum from the show’s first 2 days!
June 21st, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, here with our second update regarding Day 2 of Licensing International 2007. One of the more prominent leads made at our booth in the opening hours of today’s event was a Toronto-based company that is seeking products in a number of different categories.
The gentleman who approached our booth, who is also the president of the firm, explained that they have a particular specialization in barbeque accessories. However, he also emphasized that they were seeking new concepts in the hardware and automotive industries as well. This is further corroboration of the unpredictability of the product categories that are represented by those walking the aisles of any given trade show we may attend!
After becoming familiarized with our Innovation Direct™ service as described by a member of our trade show team, the company representative asked that we include them in the program and that we start sending them the product idea information as soon as possible. Accordingly, we will be conducting searches through our database in accordance with the categories he specified as soon as possible after the show’s conclusion.
Join us later this afternoon for more!
June 20th, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with our first update for Day 2 of Licensing International 2007 in New York City. We have begun the second day of the proceedings with a flourish not unlike the day-long one we experienced yesterday, but have still made the time to send follow-up e-mails to all of the leads that we met at the Invent-Tech booth during Day 1.
It is our feeling that prompt follow-up and acknowledgement of a company taking the time to stop at our booth during the fast-paced environment of a trade show event such as this one is integral to planting the seed for a positive relationship. Since there is no quicker form of accomplishing this than communicating with the contact we have just met the very next day after being introduced, we decided to take some time this morning to insure that these individuals would have communication from Invent-Tech as soon as they checked their e-mail inboxes today.
We are heavily immersed into acquiring a new group of leads during Day 2, and have been successful in making quite a few new connections already. Join us later this afternoon for more details!
June 20th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, here for one final report on all of the developments from what was an eventful Day 1 of Licensing International 2007. We had the pleasure of receiving an afternoon visit at the Invent-Tech booth from the New York-based Innovation Direct™ company that has been displaying an advanced level of interest in 3 product ideas from the Invent-Tech roster, and that we last reported on in a June 14th entry (”Update: Conference call with Innovation Direct™ company and Invent-Tech inventor likely to be rescheduled for June 22nd…“).
The Director of Merchandising for the company, who has served as our principal contact, made it a point to stop by our booth to touch base with us on the three inventions they are expressing interest in. Our contact did confirm the times on June 22nd that he will be available for a conference call with the inventor of the kitchen accessory he is interested in, and also took the opportunity to compliment our product information delivery methodologies. He explained that he was very impressed with Invent-Tech’s approach so far, and emphasized that he wanted us to send him more product ideas to review as soon as we were able to.
All in all, it was obviously a very fruitful day for the Invent-Tech trade show contingent, and we hope that today’s success is a harbinger of what the remaining two days of the event will bring. Join us tomorrow for all the news on Day 2!
June 19th, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in for our third entry during Day 1 of Licensing International 2007. As regular readers of the Invent-Tech Network know, we usually engage in a photography session during the first day of each trade show event that serves to capture some of the more compelling and vivid images from the exhibit.
Accordingly, we toured the exhibit floor of the Jacob Javits Center for 90 minutes early this afternoon with our contracted show photographer, who succeeded in taking what we think will prove to be some spectacular photos. Early next week, check our official website, www.invent-tech.com, for images of the elaborate displays of companies such as Hasbro, Mattel, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Lego, to name a few, as well as some of the visuals of the considerable action at the Invent-Tech booth during Day 1.
Join us later this evening for a final wrap-up for Day 1!
June 19th, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, back with another update regarding Day 1 of Licensing International 2007. As we mentioned in the entry immediately preceding this one, the morning hours of Day 1 proved prolific for Invent-Tech with regards to the amount of visitors to our booth.
Another one of the companies that approached us was a Pennsylvania-based outfit that also owns multiple factories in Hong Kong. The president of the company explained to us that they had extremely cost-effective access to a variety of manufacturing methods, including metal stamping and injection molding, and also were involved in the marketing and distribution of multiple product lines. After becoming familiarized with Invent-Tech’s methodologies during our conversation today, this gentleman expressed a significant interest in beginning to receive new product idea information from our database as soon as possible after the show.
Included in the categories that this company expressed an interest in are non-electrical housewares, pets, and automotive products, proving once again that we are apt to meet companies at every trade show that will be looking for items in a wide variety of industries!
Join us later today for additional news from Day 1!
June 19th, 2007
Good afternoon, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in with the first of several updates for what has been a spectacular Day 1 of Licensing International 2007. This initial day of the proceedings was a great example of what makes this exhibit one of the premier events on the Invent-Tech trade show schedule each year.
The traffic at the Invent-Tech booth was almost non-stop throughout Day 1, and things got started in the morning with a visit from the Sourcing Director of the Alliances and Innovation Division of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate known for a variety of product lines. This gentleman spoke extensively with me regarding his company’s product direction, the 3 billion dollar-a-year return they see from their licensing activities alone, and their willingness to work further with us after becoming more acquainted with our business model and product information delivery methods.
Because all decisions on taking on new products are made by a committee, our contact explained that he would want to set up a conference call between himself, myself, and the head of that group in the near future to further hone in on how best our two companies could work together. That call will presumably take place soon after all parties are back in their offices early next week.
Join us later this afternoon for more news from Day 1!
June 19th, 2007
Good evening, Juan C. Blanco, Invent-Tech’s Director of Product Licensing, checking in from New York City on the eve of Licensing International 2007. Each year this event seems to grow in scope and attendance, and we are therefore naturally expecting the 2007 edition of the proceedings to be the most spectacular yet.
The Invent-Tech trade show contingent is already committed to at least 3 pre-set appointments with company representatives, including our West Coast-based industry partner that we’ve mentioned on numerous occasions in this space and who has been integral in the securing of several licensing agreements for Invent-Tech inventor products. He mentioned to us last week that there were several key contacts of his that he wanted us to meet personally, which we are very hopeful will help spur new and beneficial relationships for our company and by extension, the inventions that we represent.
Please check in often throughout this week for all of the relevant news stemming from the exhibit floor of the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan! Join us tomorrow as we kick off what should be a momentous Day 1!
June 18th, 2007
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