Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:05 PST http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/4969065-1.html CBS News - Inventions and Product Ideas en-us Copyright 1999-2009 CBS News All Rights Reserved. http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/asset/image/general_site_image/3472344.gif http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/4969065-1.html 46 144 http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/science-technology/physics-lasers/13451916-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/science-technology/physics-lasers/13451916-1.html There are a number of different ways to invent. Many people imagine an idea they think is solving a big problem first, and then try to find a market for that idea. I’ve definitely done that. But I’m not sure it’s the best way. Certainly, creating solutions to the problems we encounter every day makes sense. But finding a viable market can be challenging. I propose an alternative strategy: first, identify opportunities that demand creative problem solving skills. Essentially, ... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law/13422286-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law/13422286-1.html How can you determine if your idea is a winning one? I know a lot of people who develop idea after idea – but they’re definitely not all good. They’re often conflicted or uncertain about which one to choose to move forward with. If you can answer the following three questions confidently, then you’ve come up with a potentially great idea! Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:25:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law-trademark/13420398-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law-trademark/13420398-1.html I just returned from the 14th annual US Patent & Trademark Office Independent Inventor’s Conference in Alexandria, Virginia. It was wonderful to be invited by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the sponsor of the event, to be a guest speaker. My lecture was on the power of patents. In the past thirty years, patents have provided me with the protection I’ve needed to license my ideas to very large companies – and collect royalties for years and years in return. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:20:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law/13411394-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/legal/intellectual-property-law/13411394-1.html I get this question all the time. “But,” inventors ask, “Who do I call?” They’ve invited this great idea, they’ve filed a provisional patent application for protection, and they’re bewildered. What next? How do they know which company is the right one to call? Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/retail/retailers-book-music-hobby-storesstores/13411393-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/retail/retailers-book-music-hobby-storesstores/13411393-1.html Everyone has their own unique way of developing ideas. Inspiration strikes each of us in different ways, at different times, and from different sources. How do you generate new ideas? I want to share my strategy with you. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/company-activities-management/product-management/13411392-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/company-activities-management/product-management/13411392-1.html The holiday season is upon us. What better time to describe the pros and cons of developing products for the novelty gifts industry? When I first began my career, I invented and licensed many seasonal products. If you enjoy being creative and new ideas come easily to you, this may be the perfect industry for you. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:15:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/company-activities-management/product-management/13401671-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/company-activities-management/product-management/13401671-1.html Open innovation is sweeping the nation and the globe. Companies have finally realized they don’t have a monopoly on intelligence! They’ve opened their doors and they’re looking around. I love the development – when I began inventing some thirty years ago, the mentality was “If it wasn’t invented here, we’re not interested.” That’s changed. Companies have realized although they do employ a lot of great designers, they can build an even ... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/manufacturing/miscellaneous-mfg-doll-toy-games-games/13343247-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/manufacturing/miscellaneous-mfg-doll-toy-games-games/13343247-1.html Have you ever dreamed of creating a hit children’s toy? With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s hard not to ponder what toys will be huge hits this year. Whether it’s Cabbage Patch Kids or the latest Nintendo Game, there’s a “gotta-have” children’s product each season. And I think Russell Hornsby’s “Zhu Zhu Pets” will be that toy in 2009. Hornsby is a seasoned veteran of the toy’s industry, having worked for Mattel and ... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/entertainment-arts/entertainment-arts-overview/13342971-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/entertainment-arts/entertainment-arts-overview/13342971-1.html It’s the day before Halloween and I’ve saved just the right ghost story to tell you. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the very appropriately named Jonny Coffin – the king of all horror related products in the music industry! Coffin is both a musician and inventor. When the coffin shaped guitar case he designed for his personal use attracted attention wherever he carried it, he realized the potential market for the product and others like it. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:25:00 GMT http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/technology/software-services-applications-internet/13319517-1.html http://allbusiness.cbsnews.com/technology/software-services-applications-internet/13319517-1.html Do you own an iPod? You may have never seen Steve Jobs present an Apple product, but it’s more than likely you’ve been seduced by his pitches. Carmine Gallo, author of The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience, offers more information about Jobs's winning presentation style. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:00 GMT