United Inventors Association Educational Series

On April 24, 2009, the United Inventors Association (UIA) will release a ground-breaking educational series covering every stage of the inventing process.  This 10 part series, made up of episodes that are approximately 30 minutes in length, was hosted by Steve Greenberg, the author of Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention.  Steve is a multiple Emmy Award winning reporter who over the past few years has focused his reporting on what he calls “the innovation beat.”  In this series Steve interviews a panel of experts in each episode, giving viewers an opportunity to learn from 16 of America’s top invention industry experts who have collectively reviewed and launched hundreds of new products earning millions of dollars in sales.  I was honored to be a part of this series, and appear on episodes 1 and 2, which relate to avoiding scams and understanding patent basics. 

The 10 part original UIA production was filmed at the Enventys Studios, and is titled “What Every Inventor Needs to Know.”  The series is an insider’s look at achieving success, as well as a cautionary tale on what to expect — and traps to avoid — during the inventor’s journey.  Below is a promotional clip approximately 4 minutes in length to give you an idea about what will be covered.

The series is intended to provide realistic and valuable information to inventors and entrepreneurs.  Each episode focuses on a particular topic in the idea to market life-cycle, with Steve asking a variety of questions to explore the topic, including:

• What’s the most common misconception you hear from inventors?
• What’s the most common mistake you see inventors make?
• How much does it typically costs?
• What do you recommend if an inventor says they can’t afford the cost?
• Can you suggest some good resources if an inventor wants to learn more?

Here is a list of the titles for each episode of the UIA 10 part educational series:

1. Avoiding Invention Scams, Traps and Raw Deals
2. Patents, Trademarks, Copyright & Trade Secrets
3. How can I finance my invention?
4. Could it sell? Doing Market Research.
5. Finding (and pitching) a Licensing Deal
6. Prototyping and Industrial Design
7. Manufacturing, Sourcing, Logistics & Packaging
8. Pricing Strategy: Supply & Demand, Cost & Revenue.
9. Get Ready for Retail: Online, Catalogs, TV & Stores
10. Push it! Affordable Promotion + PR = Sales

Episode 1, avoiding invention scams, will be made available free to the public beginning April 24, 2009.  The other episodes will be available to members of the UIA.  The UIA is an excellent organization for inventors and entrepreneurs.  To join the UIA, or sign up for the UIA Newsletter, which is free, visit Inventors, Join Now. In addition to getting access to the 10 part series mentioned above, members get access to the directory of Certified Professionals, each of who have gone through a rigorous screening process and fact-checking process to verify they are reputable.  After the completion of the screening process the applications are then voted on by a 5 member Professional Membership Committee.  I am the Chair of that Committee, so if anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them.  I am proud of the process we have come up with and think it is a valuable contribution to making the inventor community safe.  Members also are allowed to post questions to our forum, asking UIA Certified Professionals questions. 

About the UIA

The United Inventors Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, founded in 1990.  The UIA is a national organization dedicated to inventor education and support. Funded exclusively with the generous support of our Members, the UIA mission is to offer educational information to inventors, as well as Certification to local support groups and invention service providers who comply with rigorous professional and ethical standards.