I agree with the rebuttal that says promoting a new idea takes time and money. The first step of doing a patent search by a legitimate attorney will cost several hundred dollars. However, this company promotes itself deceptively. I too was a victim of a smooth / fast talking "new project director" at Inventech. I had several phone conversations, asked a lot of questions and also did some internet research (obviously not deep enough) before sending them $895 $15 s&h. Here is my major objection. I was told that during the preliminary patent search if anything is found that mirrors my idea, they would stop the process and send me a refund. I was also told that once I recieve the Invention research portfolio, if I am not satisfied I could return it back in 10 days for a refund. But here's how they suckered me.
During their process (after getting my money) I called them to see how it was going. I was told that it was almost complete and the search did not turn up anything that would stop the process. I was excited to hear this and couldn't wait to get the portfolio. Five days later it arrived at my door. The first thing I noticed was the hand drawing of my idea that looked like it was done by a child (with my name on it - spelled wrong!) Then I came across a copy of a patent filed two years ago by someone in Connecticut for the exact same idea. I called them immediately to ask what the heck was going on. They told me not to worry because it was only a "patent aplication". They also said that manufacturers don't want new product ideas with patents because if they have to change the product, the patent will be useless. I asked "then why do inventors even bother with patents?" He said typically the inventor will apply for a patent after it is accepted by a manufacturer. He proceeded to tell me that they feel this a great idea and want to promote it further. But in order to do that, I would have to lock into a two year exclusive contract with Inventech at a cost of between $4,450 and $8,950. They strung me along with this BS for about a week. At this point I realized I was being taken advantage of and told the "new project director" I wanted a refund and was sending the prtfolio back to them. I was them told that the ten day return period had elapsed (which according to them starts the day they mailed to me). All of my phone calls and / or messages from that point on went unanswered by them (of course. They knew I wasn't falling for the BS anymore).
This company takes advantage of people that don't know what the process is for patenting and marketing a new idea. They fall prey to thier slick fast talking BS, and don't realize what is going on until it's too late. Beware of inventech.
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