News for Inventors

DEMO Fall 08 Conference in San Diego

This September 7-9, DEMO.com will hold its annual U.S. conference in San Deigo. DEMO isn't for the timid, either emotionally or financially. Companies put up about $30,000 to have the chance to be selected to give a six minute pitch about their product. Members of the press and investors are there, and DEMO claims to be able to get you into the "big leagues" if they accept your product. For the amount of money required, arguably a concept should be fairly well along towards being a real product (and DEMO might not select concepts that are too early in their development, anyway).

I haven't attended or participated in their conference. Yet, according to tech blogger Robert Scoble, "this is a great way to get funded". There may not be time to be selected for this year, but it is possible to read or watch coverage of this year's event, to prep for the stringent application process.

Attending as an audience member isn't cheap, either. If you do go, try to get a discount. Venture Beat offers $600 savings off of the regular rate of $2395.

ideaTango.com Contest for Inventors

Inventors who think they have the next "big" idea can test the entrepreneurial waters by entering the 2008 What's Your BIG Idea?cContest sponsored by IdeaTango.com and intellectual property law firm Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP.

Contestants will compete for one free U.S. Provisional Patent Application service provided by Townsend, which is valued at over $4,000. Two second place winners will each receive one hour of free legal consultation services.

Inventions must be unique and never offered for sale. Inventors can enter the contest by visiting IdeaTango.com and clicking on the "Contests" link at the top of the home page. Site registration is required, and is free of charge. Contestants must be at least 19 years of age and residents of the U.S. Deadline for entries is Sept. 12, 2008, and all entries will be kept confidential. Additional contest rules and entry form can be found at www.IdeaTango.com.

"It is always a privilege to work with inventors and businesses that are bringing new technologies to the marketplace," remarked Bill Vobach, a partner in Townsend's Denver office. "The energy and excitement that inventors and entrepreneurs possess make them a pleasure to work with. Their innovation has always driven our economy and we are pleased to support IdeaTango.com in its 'What's Your BIG Idea?' contest."

With offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Denver, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, Townsend (www.townsend.com) has more than 230 attorneys and patent professionals, many with advanced technical degrees and extensive scientific and business experience. Based in Dallas, IdeaTango.com acts as a catalyst for innovation by providing users with collaborative tools that help them learn, grow, share, and bring new products to market.