| | Forewerd | p. xiii |
| | Introduction | p. 1 |
| | The Climate for Independent Inventors | p. 2 |
| | Why Did I Write This Book? | p. 3 |
| | What Is in This Book? | p. 3 |
| | The Meaning of Success | p. 4 |
| | Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 1) | p. 6 |
| | Commercialization 101 | p. 11 |
| | Moving from the Drafting Table to the Store Shelf | |
| | The Dilemma of Perceived Value | p. 11 |
| | Is the Clock Ticking? | p. 13 |
| | Prototype, Patent, or Market: Which to Do First? | p. 13 |
| | Research Your Industry: The Real First Step | p. 14 |
| | Is Licensing Your Invention the Way to Go? | p. 16 |
| | Marketability versus Licensability | p. 19 |
| | What Do You Have That You Can License? | p. 20 |
| | Whom Can You License To? | p. 22 |
| | So What Does It Take? | p. 23 |
| | Keep It in Perspective | p. 24 |
| | Case Study: Tire Technology | p. 25 |
| | Timing Is (Almost) Everything | p. 31 |
| | Formulating Your Patent Strategy and Protecting What's Yours | |
| | Just What Is a Patent? | p. 32 |
| | How Necessary Is a Patent? | p. 32 |
| | Safeguarding Your Proprietary Property | p. 32 |
| | Patent Searches | p. 34 |
| | Provisional Applications | p. 39 |
| | Shop Rights for Employers and Institutions | p. 40 |
| | Patent Partners | p. 42 |
| | Some Strategies for Patent Holders | p. 44 |
| | Foreign Patenting | p. 46 |
| | Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 2) | p. 47 |
| | Merket and Industry Research | p. 51 |
| | Your Ticket to Free Expert Advice and Lasting Business Relationships | |
| | Just Talk to People | p. 51 |
| | Market Position | p. 55 |
| | The Consumer Product Pipeline | p. 56 |
| | Pull-Through Sales | p. 61 |
| | Mail-Order Markets | p. 62 |
| | Interviewing for Industrial Inventions | p. 64 |
| | Trade Associations | p. 66 |
| | Trade Shows: What's in Them for You? | p. 67 |
| | Test Marketing | p. 74 |
| | Why Interviewing Works | p. 78 |
| | Anticipated Costs and Timetable | p. 78 |
| | What's Next? | p. 79 |
| | Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 3) | p. 80 |
| | Time To Pick the Lineup | p. 83 |
| | Qualifying and Contacting Appropriate Licensees | |
| | The Smooth Success | p. 84 |
| | Picking the Lineup | p. 86 |
| | Making Contact | p. 90 |
| | What Decision Makers Can Tell You | p. 91 |
| | Disclosure Agreements | p. 97 |
| | Your Own Disclosure Agreement | p. 99 |
| | Patent Strategy, Continued | p. 104 |
| | Your Next Steps | p. 105 |
| | Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 1) | p. 107 |
| | The Plan Comes Together | p. 113 |
| | Submitting to Companies and Forming a Commercialization Strategy | |
| | A Few Words about Strategy | p. 113 |
| | What to Submit | p. 115 |
| | Initial Responses from Key Decision Makers | p. 118 |
| | Determining Your Invention's Market Value | p. 120 |
| | Foreign Licensing and Patenting | p. 124 |
| | Structuring a Licensing Deal | p. 126 |
| | Joint Venture Opportunities | p. 128 |
| | Life after Rejection | p. 130 |
| | Case Study: The Picture Perfect Deal? (Part 2) | p. 133 |
| | Brass tacks | p. 145 |
| | Negotiating Your Compensation and Other Contract Terms | |
| | Royalties | p. 146 |
| | Some Thoughts on Negotiating | p. 147 |
| | The License Contract | p. 148 |
| | Negotiating Contract Terms | p. 149 |
| | Contract Terms | p. 151 |
| | Other Terms | p. 167 |
| | Who Will Determine the Terms and Conditions? | p. 169 |
| | Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 4) | p. 171 |
| | Victory Through Teamwork | p. 175 |
| | When to Use Professional Help and How to Find the Best | |
| | Help with Patents | p. 175 |
| | Help with Commercializing Your Invention | p. 177 |
| | Help with Patent Infringement | p. 180 |
| | Case Study: An Automotive Accessory (Part 5) | p. 186 |
| | Conclusion: The End of The Rainbow | p. 195 |
| | Afterword: The Future for Inventor's Agents | p. 197 |
| | Appendices | p. 199 |
| | General Information Concerning Patents | p. 199 |
| | Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries | p. 216 |
| | Invention Evaluation Criteria | p. 221 |
| | Risk/Reward Ratio Chart | p. 225 |
| | Simplified Steps: A Quick-Reference Flow Chart of the Invention Commercialization Process | p. 229 |
| | Disclosure Agreement | p. 232 |
| | Resources | p. 235 |
| | Government Contacts | p. 235 |
| | Government Programs | p. 236 |
| | Patent Searching and Patenting | p. 240 |
| | Private Organizations | p. 241 |
| | Publications for Inventors | p. 245 |
| | Research Resources | p. 245 |
| | Small Business Resources | p. 249 |
| | Special Resources | p. 251 |
| | Trade Shows | p. 253 |
| | Glossory | p. 255 |
| | Patent and New Product Marketing Workbook | p. 267 |
| | Index | p. 354 |
| | About The Author | p. 361 |