Invent-Tech (Invention-Technologies) and Idaho inventors

A northern Idaho newspaper (Coeur d'Alene Press) with a pair of articles on Invent-Tech by staff writer Rick Thomas. 

The first ("Paying for a Promise") is about a number of Idaho inventors who decided to use Invent-Tech (Invention Technologies) invention development/promotion services.  The article seems to indicate that while the inventors are not unhappy with Invent-Tech, the inventors have not had any success with Invent-Tech's services.

The second ("Marketing ideas can be costly") talks more about  the complaints against invention promotion companies and some of the tactics they use.  The second one has a couple amazing quotes from people at Invent-Tech:

"Invention-Technologies Inc. is a marketing and development company which does not offer patents as a service in their contracts," says Leslie Hecker, a legal liaison for the company, in a letter to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office responding to a complaint from a client. "Therefore, if (the client) wanted a patent during the past three years, she could have retained a patent attorney or filed one herself."

"We're like a sports agent," Daniel says. "We're a research and development company. We earn our money from royalties." 

Did they really say that?  Amazing!

You can be your own judge of whether or not to use Invent-Tech or any other invention promotion company, but if you do...FIRST check out my post on Invention Promotion Companies 101

Comments

[Ron J. Riley]

Take a look at both the "Extreme" and "Watch" under "Invention Technologies" and/or "Invent-Tech":

www.inventored.org/caution/extreme
www.inventored.org/caution/watch

As well as:

(a) FTC site [under the Freedom of Info Act] -

www.ftc.gov/foia/frequentrequest.htm

(b) US PATENT/TRADEMARK OFFICE complaint page -

www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/data.html#LicensePromotion

(c) SLAPP LAWSUITS (www.inventored.org/SLAPP)
filed against some complaining inventors:

www.miami-dadeclerk.com/civil
Select:(1) Standard Case Search then (2) type Invention Technologies in the "Party Name."

(d) Enter "PLYMOUTH GLOBAL GROUP" in any search engine (their previous name).

RJR

[Invent-Tech]

Invent-Tech Blog Posting 6

FTC “Complaint File” Document

There have been an increasing number of people contacting us who are concerned after reading about a somewhat confusing PDF file compiling all available consumer communications to the FTC about Invent-Tech. The file in question http://www.invent-tech.com/fud/inventiontechnologies.pdf is apparently the result of a Freedom Of Information Act request made a few years ago – except that most FOIA requests are not usually publicized and promoted in the way this one has been. Tellingly, a simultaneous request was also made about our largest competitor and is wielded as the same kind of FUD light-saber where they are concerned.

In reality, if someone actually took the time to read the entire document they'd find that many of the communications compiled in the FTC document are simply inquiries. Many of the pages mysteriously don't say anything at all. Yet, there they are - each listed as one of the “complaints against Invent-Tech”.

Only a handful of these communications could reasonably be categorized as complaints at all and that's before you even begin to consider the legitimacy of each one. There's no way to research or investigate any of the claims made because none of the “complainers” are personally identified. It is unverifiable, unreliable information ripe for abuse by a competitor, schemer or kook, don't you think? Most significantly, the FTC themselves state on the cover page that none of these have been verified or in any way legitimized. Who knows who these people are? We certainly don't because all of their names are marked-out. We have no opportunity to respond because no one has ever contacted us about any of them nor are they even supposed to from what we can surmise.

There is a constitutional right to due process for a reason – it prevents this kind of exploitation and manipulation. If you are accused of something, you have a presumption of innocence and the right to tell your side of the story. That is not often the case in the court of public opinion and don't think for a minute that the FUD factory doesn't know that fact very well..

Invent-Tech would like to take the opportunity now to highlight a couple of the “complaints” compiled in the FTC file as this is being held out as some kind of “smoking gun” by the masters of FUD on the Internet:

“This is not really a complaint, I think they might be a good company, but I also think they should be investigated. Most of all, I would like to remain unknown because I don't want to ruin a company if they are doing good business.”

“I am contacting you to find out if this company is a legitimate invention promotion company. I have tried to research them but have been going in circles.”

REALITY CHECK : True experts and industry professionals are busy doing business. As you can see many of not all of these posting are not complaints at since we do not know from whom these are originating we have been unable to address the issues directly to the client and resolve the isse.
Invent-Tech Marketing Department

[poince]

a client of invent-tech whom was just unhappy with invent-tech's services.but now i find my invention being introduced by a company i sent a pamplet on my product and a licensing agreement but had no response.someones got some explianing to do and some checks owned myself.

[poince]

POINCE (FAILED CLIENT) FRIAR JEM71@SBCGLOBAL.NET I"M NOW SEEKING A LEGAL TEAM.I HAVE DOUCUMENTATION FROM MID 04 ,INVENT-TECH DID MY PATEND SEARCH AND ALL OTHERTASKSLIKE REGISTERING THROUGH THE PATEND OFFICE.I THOUGHT I WAS PROTECTED.NOW PLANTRONICS IS MANUFACTURING MY INVENTION WITHOUT ME. I WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!!!!!

[Nickole]

Just a few questions for invent tech. What is your fee for a patent and if one were to purchase a patent for their idea does that person recieve anything from you as far as the purchased patent is concerned? Your reply will be greatly appriciated. Thank you

[jim kerns]

thank you to all concerned and involved in shedding light on predatory outfits like invent tech,davison, etc.they need to thank there makers that i have been able to research for complaints against them before i sent them money i sweat and bled to earn.forgiveness is not in my nature.i will continue to work on my ideas solo, as slow as progress may be,at least its honest.

[Ken]

Hi, I have a great idea,but i do not know where to start. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

[Ronald J Riley]

"says Leslie Hecker, a legal liaison for the company" Now this is funny, because Leslie Hecker used to be Invent-Tech's attorney. Her title changed shortly after being disbarred. Inventech use of a disbarred attorney is a perfect example of the nature of Invent-Tech. For the full scoop on Invent-Tech see www.Invent-Tech-Sucks.org

[James]

I work for the Mississippi Small Business Development Center.

In Mississippi we try to help people with their inventions for no charge. If you want to know more about inventing, you should visit our website:

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/mssbdc/invent.html

We have an excellent video for inventors. All new inventors should watch this video.

[Marc Mallette]

Invent tech-Alex Gomez, I'm sorry but you have be friended me. You made me beleive that the company you represeted was looking after my best intrest.

My product was inovative, I had searched the net for nearly 12 months before approaching you with my ideal, and not to be found. Once i approached you with it, the ideal, it took less then 6 months to start seeing my product being sold, then other 6 months and now there were competitors. Great!!

You were right about one thing, what i see on line is not quite the same, its not PERFECT but will do!!

Marc