Independent Inventors and Invention Promotion Companies

TA collection of information about Independent Inventors and Invention Promotion Companies:

From the USPTO main page (which changes frequently so I'll quote):

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) continues to support various programs that are targeted to promoting and protecting this country’s independent inventor community. Late last month, the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) co-sponsored an Invent Now Expo for 93 inventors in Orlando, Florida. The USPTO and NIHF will join forces again to hold the 8th annual inventors conference in New Hampshire August 20-21. Later this month on April 29 from 2-3 pm (EST), the USPTO will offer an on-line tutorial for independent inventors. Senior USPTO officials will be on line for the hour answering questions and offering helpful tips for participants.

The risk that invention development companies may defraud America’s inventor-entrepreneurs continues to be a major concern at the USPTO. Unfortunately, some firms have been found to charge thousands of dollars and provide little or no useful service in return. For suggestions on avoiding those situations and the other risks of working with invention developers read the Scam Prevention brochure [DOC viewer]. The USPTO also maintains a list of complaints against individual companies on the Inventors Resources pages.

Finally, if you are an independent inventor and have questions or concerns, call the USPTO toll free at 1–866–767–3848. For all other questions related to patents and trademarks call toll free at 1–800–786–9199.

The USPTO complaint list includes prior complaints against: Advent Product Development; American Idea Management; American Inventors Corp.; Concept Network; Davison & Associates Inc.; International Product Design; International Product Design Inc; Invent-Tech; Invention Consultants, U.S.A; Invention Technology Co.; IP&R; National Invention Services, Inc.; New Product Advisory Group; New Product Consultants; New Product Consulting Corp.; New Products of America; and Patent Trademark Institute of America.

To view the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Alert "Spotting Sweet-Sounding Promises of Fraudulent Invention Promotion Firms" go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/invnalrt.htm.

To see if a company has been investigated and/or fined by the Federal Trade Commission visit http://www.ftc.gov/search and type in the word "invention."

Michael S. Neustel runs another site FULL of "inventor fraud" information at: www.inventorfraud.com which includes links to these articles:
Scam Prevention (USPTO) (pdf)
Invention Promotion Firms (FTC)
So You've Got a Great Idea? (FTC).

If you are going to work with an invention promotion company, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.

UPDATE (May 5, 2004): Promote the Progress on a MSNBC article "Got an invention? You, too, can be scammed" mentioning the services of "NewInventions.com".

UPDATE (Oct. 2004): PatentCafe has a web site covering this topic too that includes all of the above information, and more...

UPDATE (Oct. 2004): Patently Obvious blog on Invention Submission Corporation (ISC) suing the Patent Office over advertisements warning independent inventors about an "unnamed" invention promotion company and fraud/scams. ISC apparently is of the opinion that the PTO thereby caused inventors to believe that ISC was the "unnamed" company being talked.

UPDATE (March 21, 2006):  If any of these links are broken, please email me or leave a comment below.

UPDATE (April 9, 2006):  Another very thorough site on the topic:  Brown & Michaels -- Invention Marketing Companies:  Are they for real?

Update (September 12, 2006):  See also my post on I've been ripped off by an invention promotion company...what should I do next?

Note, this blog has moved to:  http://www.inventblog.com. This post, and all of the newer comments, can be found here:  http://inventblog.com/2004/04/independent_inv-2.html

Comments

[Max]

Dear Sir / Madam

Could you send me a list of e-mail contact details for reputable invention promotion companies in the USA - I would like to forward me information to them by e-mail.

Kind Regards

Max Lourens
Ad-in-a-bowl
South Africa

[jfilep]

I have paid Advet Products Development about $1,500 to have two of my ideas "evaluated". I signed a contract with a finance co. "Triad" and still have several payments pending. So far I have received a "phase 1" info package on my first idea. After reading about the complaints agains Advent, I am not going to pay another dime. What obligations do I now have to Triad? Will my credit be attacked? Can I get my money back for false advertising (scam) ? What should I do?

[agustin aguirre]

I AN LOOKING FOR AN ATTORNEY TO FILE A LAW SUIT AGAINST APD I PAID THEM ALMOST 11000.00
FOR NOTHING
IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ME LET ME KNOW

[PBallou]

Re Advent Product Development;

You might check their history via any search engine using the term "NISI".

Also, go to www.inventored.org/caution/extreme

Once there review some of the links under their name.

Unfortunately unless you did not have capacity to contract; were drunk; and/or mentally disabled when you signed their contract or you have substantial evidence of a breach of contract you've been unable to correct, your chances of getting any money or satisfaction are slim and none.

Below are some intermediate solutions for you:

1. Read this before contemplating visiting an attorney: www.inventored.org/SLAPP

Visit an attorney with contract in hand and relevant documents.

2. Fill out a complaint online at the FTC's complaint page: www.ftc.gov/index.html

Some of us are hopeful 2005 will see a new "Project Mousetrap" sting launched by the FTC.

3. Download, fill out and snail mail to the US Patent and Trademark Office a complaint notice via: http://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/2048.pdf

4. Read complaints on them at:
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/data.html#LicensePromotion

5. Read the following short articles:
(a) BULLIES,HANDLING OF
www.inventored.org/bully
(b) SIC CODE SCAMS
www.inventored.org/SIC-code-scam/
(c)"GOT AN INVENTION, YOU TOO CAN BE SCAMMED": www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4863987

In the future, carefully make a list of questions one asks invention promoters before signing their contracts per the "American Inventors Protection Act" of 1999 as found at:

www.wenderoth.com/statute.htm (once there, run cursor down to "Section 4102, Integrity of Invention Promotion Services.")

If they refuse to reveal answers to those questions, notify both the FTC and Patent Office via their complaint forms.

[Jerome Denk]

I to have been taken advantage of
just last night so called VP Bob Condin called me 8:22 and advised me to pay up or forget about it.
He told me that he was sure the invention would be done this year that it was to bad that I would
lose out. Then hung up on me. I tryed to talk to him two more times and he continued to hang up on me. I now have a call in witing for a reply.

[wondering why?]

I want to know if you all know that invent-tech is a scam why aren't they shut down!!!! they took me for a ride of almost 6.000.00$ i'm mad at myself because my product is a life saving product, but most of all i could of hired an attorney to do it right!!! why does our goverment let this keep happing, maybe its time to call good morning america, or 20/20 or someone big to open up!!!!!!!

[Ronald Riley]

For a comprehensive list of people and companies who either have been busted for fraud or who have complaints and similar mo to those who are known to be questionable players see http://www.InventorEd.org/caution/

[Tom Bay]

What is the status on the Davison vs FTC suit ?

[Ronald J Riley]

InventorEd has now published all the unpublished complaints made to the USPTO. We sought and received this information under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) statutes. Invention Submission Corporation had the greatest number of unpublished complaints.

http://www.inventored.org/caution/promoter-complaints

http://www.inventored.org/caution/isc/

InventorEd made the FOIA request as a result of one of ISC's attorneys, Brian M Adrian's requesting that we give them additional quality time.

http://www.inventored.org/caution/friedman/.

Ronald J. Riley http://www.rjriley.com/contact/

Also President www.PIAUSA.org & Executive Director www.InventorEd.org

Former advisory board president of the Alliance for American Innovation 1995-2002.

[Ronald J Riley]

Regarding the question about the FTC action against Davision and Associates, FTC litigator Steve Balster (216) 263-3401 is in charge of this action. He is interested in hearing from new victims, as am I.

Ronald J. Riley http://www.rjriley.com/contact/

Also President www.PIAUSA.org & Executive Director www.InventorEd.org

Former advisory board president of the Alliance for American Innovation 1995-2002.

[josh hammond]

I beleive Invent-Tech has taken me for a ride also. let me along for about a week telling me what a great idea i have and then the last time i talked to Gene Dumett he tells me my idea is refused and just don't know why, bye. lol. if i see my idea riding down the road on a vehicle i will not be happy!

[Rosa Zamarripa]

I'm so thankful I came to this web-site!
Just now this very second as I type I was considering on paying Daniel Moodie from Invet-Tech for my idea I just spoke to him today at work & yes he was talking me into paying them $ 800.00 to $1000.00 to get me started. I don't know but something in my gut was telling me everything sound to good to be true, so i did some research and found various sites that tell me about invention scams. I'm thankful but then
again pist-off! Man I'm going to call Him tomorrow & give him a piece of my mind! I kind of thought it was kind of suspicious, the first day I spoke to Him I asked if He could sign a docoument that I had saying everything was "CLEAN"! I faxed Him my info. But when He did'nt want to fax back what I had asked for, that really raised a red flag. What do you think I should tell him?

[diamond]

does mico soft help get something patten a computer game

[Janene Davis]

I am working with Invent Tech any news about these people and if they are scammers

[Ronald Riley]

See www.InventorEd.org/caution/intent-tech/ to learn about this unsavory company and then see www.InventorEd.org/scam/ to file complaints with all the appropiate authorities.

Ronald J Riley, Exec. Dir.
www.InventorEd.org

[Ronald Riley]

Sorry for the typo:

See www.InventorEd.org/caution/invent-tech/ to learn about this unsavory company and then see www.InventorEd.org/scam/ to file complaints with all the appropiate authorities.

Ronald J Riley, Exec. Dir.
www.InventorEd.org

[Danny]

I contacted Invent-Tech received paperwork from them then tossed it out. About two weeks later I was contacted by a fellow from the company. He was real ecited about me sending them my idea as soon as possible. So I printed out the page from the website filled it out and sent it to them. He called me back telling me I had a unique Idea and asked me more about it. I told him and he asked questions about what I did for a liveing and such. Then I started looking on the Internet finding lots of negative info on them. Sure enough he called me again and this time he mentioned the amount of money they would want from me and that a package was on it's way with a DVD and further paperwork. I am afraid of them stealing my idea but I see I am lucky compared to folks who sent money into them. I read somewhere that it is not your idea that they want but the money you give them to supposedly promote it for you. Even if they are not a fraud they should say up front about the money I really did think that the money they received came from the outside companies that paid them royalties to harvest idea from people and not from the inventors themselves. Oh well feel bad for those who sent them money, and worry for myself now that my idea is hangin out in the wind now.

[glenn]

CAVEAT EMPTOR - BUYER BEWARE

Regarding Davison Design and Development

I wanted to share with all who desire to use this company of their business practices. I sent a certified letter to the President, George M. Davidson, III. in April 2005. The only response I have received after the letter was sent is a compliance letter that was sent to my old address and then forwarded to my current home address because I had moved. The letter was sent after the company refused my requests to contact me in writing and no action has been taken by the company to reimburse me or settle my complaint. My email complaints were met with telephonic, verbal "strong arming" by Tony Larussa (sp?) and Mr. Valkanas (sp?). They made statements to my wife, stating "I did not know what I was talking about and did not know what I was doing." The initial response by Michael Leonardi, Director of New Products, was a negative "sigh" and he stated he would to talk to his engineers about the poor quality of their design and craftsmanship. Their marketing mock up was probably designed and completed in less than 30 minutes during one of their 8-10 hour day business production runs. I never signed off on their marketing design, therefore their contractal obligation was never fullfilled. I have enclosed a link to my website that shows what you can accomplish for less than $300.00 and a little ingenuity. Be advised once they have your money it is all downhill from there.

marketlaunchers.com/blackburn.html

I have enclosed the copy of my letter I sent to Davison that clearly details my complaint it also shows a format as to how to write a letter if you have been scammed by a inventing promotion firm. You can mull thru the technical information as to my invention, but the most disappointing aspect of dealing with Davison is that they promise you the world, they hide behind organizational charts and creative marketing brochures and that they are able to legally prey on the general public. This company is a true charlatan. They are all fluff and no stuff. I hired Davison to meet my marketing goals and do this work for me. I work over 45 hrs per week and have a family to take care of (like most of us do). If you spend this type of money with an organization you would expect them to roll out the red carpet and do a great job. I have been in the insurance industry now for almost 9 years and my customers spend a lot of money on auto insurance and you had better believe I bend over backwards to take care of them-this is a service I am contractually obligated to do and do well in order to retain them as policy holders.' My invention is even designed to save all of us money on our auto insurance if we have a minor at fault accident. I recommend that before dealing with this company you resort back to your childhood and reread the story, "The Emporer's New Clothes." I have spent $13,433.00 with a company that espouses "Integrity" in it's definition of Inventegration (TM) business model. If there is law firm willing to take this company on and make them truly a legitimate business operation, please contact me. To all pontential inventors... please do not fall into the financial chasm of invention promotion firms. They do not work. I have called and verified with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) that they are no longer in litigation with the federal government and their case has been settled. At the time of my letter though, with the information I had, I thought they were still in litigation with the federal government which is no longer the case. They have, however, been fined by the FTC and in 1997 they made millions but only 30k for their clients. Please read all reports on this great website and check out the USPTO and FTC about invention promotion firms. Also check out www.UIA.com, www.InventEd.org and www.marketlaunchers.com. These are legitimate companies that are really out to help inventors fulfill their dreams and financial goals.

All the best in your dreams and endeavors... invention helps helps make us a great country.

Norman G.

*here is a copy of the certified letter*

April 20, 2005

Davison Design and Development
RIDC Park
595 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2911

Re: Termination of Representation & Demand for Refund

Dear G. M. Davison, III, CEO of Davison Design and Development:

This letter is to inform you that I want all services by your company to terminate immediately. I no longer desire to work with your company for the following reasons:

1. IT CAN BE SHOWN VERY LITTLE TIME AND CONCERTED EFFORT WENT INTO THE DESIGN OF "THE PLATE BUMPER." YOUR DESIGN TEAM SIMPLY TOOK TWO ONE- INCH DOME BUMPERS AND MATED THEM WITH WOOD SCREWS. NEOPRENE RUBBER SAMPLES SUCH AS THE DOME BUMPERS CAN EASILY BE ASCERTAINED AT NO COST AND THE WOOD SCREWS CAN BE PURCHASED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1.50 AT ANY LOCAL HARDWARE STORE. I HAVE BEEN WRITING ESTIMATES ON DAMAGED VEHICLES FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AND I HAVE YET TO SEE WOOD SCREWS IMPLEMENTED AS FASTENERS ON ANY AUTOMOBILE. IT CAN BE PROVED THAT VERY LITTLE CAPITAL WENT INTO THE DESIGN PROTOTYPE YOU WANTED ME TO APPROVE.

IT CAN BE SHOWN THE VIRTUAL PROTOTYPE YOU WANTED TO SEND TO EUROSPORT DAYTONA LOOKS LIKE AN "ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE LEVELING MOUNT OR BASE." THE DEPICTION YOU HAVE "DESIGNED" HAS NUMEROUS PATENTS ON IT. PLEASE, ALSO REMEMBER, PATENTS 5,904,386 (MAY 18, 1997-BUCHMAN) AND D422,542 (APRIL 11, 2000 -RICHTER). THE AFOREMENTIONED PATENTS ARE VERY SIMILAR IN DESIGN AND SCOPE TO THE PROTOTYPE YOU SENT ME TO APPROVE. DID I NOT SEND YOUR COMPANY NUMEROUS CONCEPT DRAWINGS AND IDEAS? DID I NOT SEND YOUR COMPANY THE APPLICABLE PATENT NUMBERS THAT MAY CONFLICT WITH MY CURRENT DESIGN 0N 2/18/04?

I PAID YOUR COMPANY TO DESIGN A PROTOTYPE THAT WILL NOT CONFLICT WITH OTHER PATENTED PRIOR WORKS OF ART. DOESN'T YOUR ORGANIZATION HAVE ENGINEERS AND PATENT AGENTS ON STAFF? IT IS OBVIOUS YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE QUALITY CONTROL MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED INTO THE INVENTEGRATION BUSINESS MODEL.

IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT I SENT YOUR COMPANY A CRUDE DIGITAL PROTOYPE OF MY IDEA CONCEPT THAT YOU NOT ONLY RECYCLED WITHOUT CREATIVITY BUT THEN COPIED IT POORLY IN YOUR DESIGN ATTEMPT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE USE OF WOOD SCREWS INSTEAD OF EITHER TRUSS OR FLAT HEX HEAD AUTO FASTENERS. THE USE OF SHARP- ENDED WOOD SCREWS WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE DESIGN OF MY INVENTION. DID I NOT SEND YOU INFORMATION REGARDING THE BENEFITS OF THIS INVENTION? THE PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION IS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO BUMPER COVERS DURING LOW IMPACT COLLISIONS. YOUR DESIGN, AS SHOWN, WOULD HELP MINIMIZE AND POSSIBLY PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE OPPOSING VEHICLE BUT THE SHARP- ENDED, WOOD SCREWS WOULD THEN CAUSE PUNCTURE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS FASTENED TO ON IMPACT.

2. IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT YOUR COMPANY IS ATTEMPTING TO DESIGN AND MARKET A CONCEPT TOO CLOSE IN SCOPE WITH OTHER PRIOR ART AND PATENTS. WHY WOULD YOU PLACE A CLIENT AND A SUCCESSFUL THIRD PARTY COMPANY LIKE EUROSPORT DAYTONA IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN BE SUED FOR BREACHES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. DON'T YOU HAVE A VESTED, FUTURE FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE INVENTIONS OF YOUR CLIENTS? OUR CONTRACT STATES YOU RECEIVE 10% OF ANY LICENSING AGREEMENT. DON'T YOU HAVE PATENT SUPPORT CONSULTANTS AND A PATENT ATTORNEY ON STAFF TO REVIEW YOUR PROTOTYPES BEFORE THEY ARE PRESENTED TO MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS?

3. PLEASE ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

A. DID MY CLIENT, NORMAN G., FULFILL HIS OBLIGATION UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT? HE PAID $685.00 FOR THE INITIAL PRODUCT SEARCH AND PAID $12,748.00 FOR PRODUCT DESIGN AND MARKETING.

B. DID DAVISON DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FULLFILL THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE CONTRACT?

C. CAN MR. MICHAEL LEONARDI, VP OF NEW PRODUCTS, BE DEPOSED UNDER OATH FOR STATING THAT BOTH THE PADDED LICENSE FRAME SCREW AND THE PADDED LICENSE PLATE FRAME WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,748.00 THAT WAS PAID YOUR COMPANY. MR. LEONARDI STATED THAT IT WAS APPROVED AND WOULD BE ADDED TO THE CONTRACT THAT I SIGNED ON 03/04/2004, ONLY TO SAY A YEAR LATER THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED NOW BECAUSE HIS SUPERVISOR SAID SO. MR. LEONARDI AND I AGREED THAT BOTH PROJECTS WOULD BE VERY SIMPLE TO DESIGN AND MARKET AND THAT BOTH WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE AMOUNT. MR. LEONARDI AGREED TO THIS IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH THE CONTRACT. THIS CAN BE PROVED AS A DECEPTIVE PRACTICE, ACCORDING TO THE 1999 INVENTOR'S PROTECTION ACT.

D. CAN YOU SWEAR, UNDER OATH, THAT YOUR COMPANY WAS TO FILE A PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION WITH THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE FOR THE PADDED LICENSE PLATE FRAME ? THIS WAS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE AMOUNT I PAID YOUR COMPANY.
WHERE DID THIS MONEY GO?

E. CAN YOU SWEAR, UNDER OATH, THAT MR. TONY VALKANAS, DIRECTOR OF NEW PRODUCTS, ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SUCCESS RATE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION IN WRITING AS I REQUESTED ON 7/14/2004 . BOTH MR. VALKANAS AND MR. LEONARDI STATED IN A CONFERENCE CALL THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER IN LITIGATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN IN FACT YOU ARE.

4. IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT I FILED AND PRESENTED EITHER VIA FAX, EMAIL AND/OR AIRBORNE EXPRESS NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS THAT INCLUDED THE PADDED LICENSE PLATE FRAME. THE INITIAL PATENT RESEARCH THAT I PAID $685.00 FOR EVEN INCLUDES THE PADDED LICENSE PLATE FRAME IN THE REPORT.

5. IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT DAVISON DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT SHOWS LITTLE REGARD AND RESPECT TO IT'S CLIENTS' FINANCIAL FUTURE. IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT YOUR COMPANY HAS AN APPARENT HISTORY OF QUESTIONABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES. YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AND IS CURRENTLY IN TROUBLE WITH BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORS. “OPERATION MOUSETRAP” SHOWS: Davison & Associates: File No. 962 3310 / U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, in Pittsburgh, Civil Action No. 97-1278 / Steven Balster, FTC Cleveland Regional Office, 216-263-3455 YOUR COMPANY ALSO HAS HAD IT'S FINANCIAL ASSESTS FROZEN ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING LEGAL DOCKET TITLE:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION,
CIVIL ACTION NO.
Plaintiff,
v.
BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF EX PARTE
MOTION FOR TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER FREEZING
DAVISON & ASSOCIATES, INC.,
a corporation,
ASSETS, APPOINTING RECEIVER,
GEORGE M. DAVISON III, individually,
EXPEDITING DISCOVERY, AND
THOMAS DOWLER

I DEMAND THAT ALL INFORMATION I PROVIDED TO YOU, INCLUDING WRITTEN DOCUMENTS, SKETCHES AND PROTOTYPE PICTURES BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO ME IN 14 BUSINESS DAYS. I ALSO DEMAND TO BE REIMBURSED IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,748.00 THAT I HAVE ALREADY PAID YOUR ORGANIZATION BE RETURNED WITHIN 14 BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS LETTER. THIS IS MY THIRD WRITTEN ATTEMPT TO BE REIMBURSED.

I AM PREPARED TO FILE A WRITTEN COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BOTH THE STATES OF PENNSYLVANNIA AND VIRGINIA, THE FEDEREAL TRADE COMMISSION ,THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE AND TO WTAE. PLEASE DIRECT ALL WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

SINCERELY,

NORMAN GLENN

[Karl Mitchell]

Has anyone ever dealt with "Patent $ Trademark Institute of America"? I don't want to be ripped off. Let me know, are they good or bad?
Thanks to all who respond.

[Jim]

Are there any reputable prototype firms out there?

I recently approached Davison about my idea but I found their sales tactics to be very pushy and their "Director's of New Products" to be idiots and really know nothing anything about what they selling. It does seem to all be scripted.

I want to find a company that will take on my idea and help me develop it into something that can sell. Since Davison cannot do this who can.?

[Laurie]

I almost used Davison Design to create a project for me.. This site saved me a lot of grief. My mom subsequently got scammed by an invention company. They kept wanting more money. She refused to pay more than the original 500 bucks to create the drawings. This company sounded like it was legitament. I will refuse to share any ideas withthem. I will handle things some other way better informed now. I went on line to make sure they didn't have complaints before sending any money. I wish I did this before sending my idea. UGH!!!

[Jason]

Has anyone been succesful at getting a refund from Davison. I paid for my original research and now I am just figuring out that I have been ripped off.

The research they sent was uttlery disgusting. I can't believe I paid for this garbage. I did a google search on some the things listed in the report and discovered that they are just print outs of companies website. And the patents they printed out are worthless to me.

Just taking print outs, a templated letter, and putting a fancy cover on them is not worth the amount I spent with them.

This whole company is nothing but a con. Buyer beware. Don't make the same mistake I did.

[Craig Kallenbach]

Hey, here's a tip for Glen, from back in September....stay away from PTI....of all the sites listed here, PTI has the most complaints and I now have personal experience with them...here's how it goes....
submit...they say "wow" great idea!!
give them $795, they say thanks, things are good, you'll be rich soon!....give them another $5000, and then they call once more (emphasis on once) and say thanks, you're going to trade shows, and then you wont here from them again until you start badgering them about legal pursuit...regardless how good your idea is....they will try to wait until any patent or patent pending idea has expired and then steal your idea and all your royalties. my advice....get your patent pending and start from scratch yourself, you wouldnt believe the power of writing letters to the indutry leaders that you are trying to pursuade.

[Drew]

In response to glens comment about Davison Design and Development:

Did davison ever reply to you? I also found another site that shows what kind of work they do.

http://www.yourimagematters.co.uk/davisons/davison-inventegration.htm

[Bob Stevens]

Hello all,

I stumbled upon this site while researching compalints against Davison. I am so surprised by the number of unsattisfied customers this company has. How do they stay in business?

If anyone has'nt already check out what others are trying to do to get back at Davison. I found one guy saying that instead of reporting them the FTC to report them to the FBI.

http://inved.org/pipermail/inventors-l_inved.org/2005-October/008274.html

Good Luck All....