I bought this book thinking it would clearly help the process of getting an invention to market. Boy was I wrong. This book is confusing and the ideas seem randomly scattered throughout its many pages. I recommend instead "How to Licnese Your Million Dollar Idea" by Harvey Reese and "The Moms Inventors Handbook" by Tamara Monosoff. These two books are thinner and more straight forward.

A humorous trip through the maze of invention licensing. Lots and lots of facts, examples and quotes. Well summarized.

A humorous trip through the maze of invention licensing. Lots and lots of facts, examples and quotes. Well summarized.

Thank goodness I didn't take the advice of "A reader" who only gave this book one star ("not very useful, July 30, 2003").

My library had an electronic copy of this book that I've been reading online for the past hour. I'm at the point in the invention process where I've designed my invention and now I need to build a prototype. Already I've gotten valuable advice on invention promotion firms, licensing versus venturing, and where to receive government funding.

When I wrote this review, it wasn't possible to search inside the book. That has since been corrected. Search for and read "Levy's 10 Commandments for Success" on page 12 and "Do You Need a Patent Attorney?" on page 162 for some good advice.

I often rely on reader reviews to help me decide whether to buy a book. However, it's obvious that "A reader" didn't give this book a chance. You will certainly need to read more than one book to learn how to make money from inventing. Your library will probably have lots of inventor books you can read before making a decision to buy. Even if you are going to use a patent attorney, you definitely need to buy "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in on Your Inventions" is another book to own for its helpful tips at many points along the path to profiting from your invention.

I guess you can say that I'm a genius. Every day I come up with a different invention that could change life as we know it. None of my friends believe me because I'm a pretty humble guy, so I usually keep the ideas to myself. If they only knew about half of my inventions, they'd see how brilliant I am.

Most of my ideas (Gortex, Splenda, Dippin Dots, warming-sensations condoms) have been stolen by government spies, but that's going to end right now. With the help of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in on Your Inventions", it's time for me to start reaping the benefits of my incredible inventions.

Once I get patents for my reversible toilet paper, motorized scissors, and refrigerated baseball cap, I'll be famous. We'll see who's laughing when I make, like, a trillion dollars.

The book has a lightweight appearance but there is good advice on negociating contracts based on years of selling inventions and what to look out for - this is where I think the book really wins. It explains contracts and how to get the best one. Later in the book, there is more rudimentary descriptions of the different types of design types and loads of links to both government agencies and independent advice bureaus. It also explains the history of Patents which I found informative and dots humorous and common-garden inventions used today. For such a legalistic thing to attempt to do, I think the book did a good job of making it reasonably clear.

I am happy for the author for his successes, but... he knew people that could help him get his foot in the door. He really has no knowledge of how to help you get YOUR foot in the door, other than general comments on what he would do if he had not known anyone. I am slightly unhappy with the book because the reason I bought it was to get my ideas developed into tangible products. This book will tell you valuable info on what the terms are and helpful info on making a decision about how to proceed, but not enough info about getting to the decision makers of a company. You will be more knowlegable if you buy this book, but you still have a ton of research ahead of you, as the author doesn't help you by providing names and address of key personnel that can help you get your idea or invention shown. Some of you may still feel like "idiots" when you're done reading this book. (?)

I am happy for the author for his successes, but... he knew people that could help him get his foot in the door. He really has no knowledge of how to help you get YOUR foot in the door, other than general comments on what he would do if he had not known anyone. I am slightly unhappy with the book because the reason I bought it was to get my ideas developed into tangible products. This book will tell you valuable info on what the terms are and helpful info on making a decision about how to proceed, but not enough info about getting to the decision makers of a company. You will be more knowlegable if you buy this book, but you still have a ton of research ahead of you, as the author doesn't help you by providing names and address of key personnel that can help you get your idea or invention shown. Some of you may still feel like "idiots" when you're done reading this book. (?)

The capacity to create is shared in measure by everyone. The capacity to recognize great product, build a case for it, pitch it and negotiate the deal is known but to a few. Richard C. Levy wrote the book on it. It is called The Complete Idiot's Guide To Cashing In on Your inventions.

Tim Moodie

An unmatched resource. Comprehensive. Authoritative. Levy gives stories, and the stories behind the stories. Unrivaled, in my experience, in the careful attention to critical topics, and in its honesty. I recommend this book to anyone with an itch who needs timely and accurate information.

I bought Levy's Toy and Game Inventor's Handbook after it was recommended to me by a toy company representative. It was so helpful that, out of curiosity, I purchased his Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing-In on Your Inventions, too.

I have never read books with more inspirational messages, home-spun advice, and easy to remember passages that energized and emboldened me. I am no longer intimidated by large corporations and know what they need to make decisions.

The books have clearly shown me how to take stock of my creative potential, and confidently approach companies in a toy market that is moving at an accelerating rate of change.

Levy's passion, work ethic, common sense and honest approach to business have given me new confidence. They are contagious. This guy knows his stuff.

Brian
Atlanta, GA

I recently bought the Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing In on Your Inventions and found it a treasure trove of invaluable information. This is real world stuff, written by a guy who is obviously in the arena everyday. It was exactly what I needed to give myself an edge. In fact, following Levy's advice, I have already placed two products with licensees.

Levy is described on the back cover of his book as "a marketing genius with a flair for invention." The capacity for creating is shared in measure by us all. The capacity to create salable products and commercialize them is a skill known but to a few. Inventors who do not appreciate the importance of marketing will wind up with 100% ownership of nothing. Levy has achieved remarkable commercial success, and every serious inventor or designer who wants advice on how to successfully license to industry should read this book.

obviously, this guy makes money with his "inventions." although i wouldn't call him so much as an "inventor" as he is a highly successful marketing man. "inventor" of the Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus GAME!!! i mean, come on. this book has a few useful tidbits which are more or less common sense, but is mostly a lot of fluff--useless "interesting" facts hodge-podged together (probably by well paid research staff). also, the guy can't resist throwing in some boastful quasi-relevant stuff whenever he gets the chance, very annoying. as a first-timer who is trying to patent/market a piece of medical technological equipment, i found this book pretty useless. all in all, i thought the take-home message of the book can pretty much be summarized by "inventing and marketing is hard, but don't give up!!" sure the guy is rich and successful and a good marketer, but this book doesn't really help YOU to become rich, successful, and good at marketing. i'm not a bitter person, just someone trying to find good info to eventually become a successful person. i couldn't help but feel i'd been completely "had" after buying this book. the money for this book could have gone to better uses, other than making this guy more rich.

OK, I think the book appears to cover the ground I want to find out about. The problem is I haven't yet made enough out of my inventions to afford to buy this book, that will tell me how to make money out of my inventions.

I am being slightly flippant, but I am trying to make a serious point. Bootstrapping always is and always was the problem for all inventors trying to license their technology. You need some capital before you can protect your ideas sufficiently well that you can make money from the licenses to it. Patent protection is enormously expensive for the individual.

If you start out as in inventor, you almost by definition start with no capital. If you start with capital, chances are you are only a part time inventor. So, who is the book pitched at and does it tell the reader how to solve the bootstrapping problem?

If the book has the answer to this one question, then I'd say it is a good buy. If not, then it won't help. I won't know the answer until I see a copy.

This is the best book on invention marketing that I have ever read. It is compulsively readable; deliciously explored. Levy's writing is energetic, down-to-earth, and just plain fascinating reading.ýý His vast, firsthand knowledge of the process is awesome. This book is of interest and help to more than just inventors.
ý

What can I say? This guy is the guy behind Furby. My kids no longer even play with that revised Cabbage Patch upgrade!

But, if he can make a fortune, why can't I?

Okay, I'm not gonna tell you what my ideas are, but I will say I also used Michael levine's Guerila PR: Wired. Why am I telling you this?

Simple! I lost a bet with my ex-wife. I thought about getting my lawyer's advice, but he had to "suddenly leave town."

Anyway, I think Levy has some good ideas, so I really suggest using it. You might want an apartment near the u.S. Patent Office, though. And near your banker.

I tried plowing through this book from beginning to end and found it much more valuable as a general reference than as a step-by-step guide. This is because every case is different and requires different treatment in handling the patents and trademarks involved. The author puts forth various alternative approaches to patenting, licensing, trademarking, manufacturing, etc. - each section is useful in ascertaining the best approach you should take in your own particular case.

There are many options that may not occur to someone like myself who is going through this process for the first time, so it is a big help to be mentored by someone who's been down that road before.

Bruce Boatner
Inventor, PEGASUS Wind Engine (TM)

Whether you are an inventor, aspiring inventor or want a remarkable insight into the art and science of inventing, this is a must read. I have worked with and among inventors for most of my career and yet this book is already dog eared, annotated and all marked up so I can easily reference its many gems. It is a fun and easy read and packed with information I find I use daily!

Inventor-marketer Richard C. Levy has written a one-of-a-kind, practical, easy-to-read and understand guide to licensing inventions. It is the
quintessential tool for inventors who want to attain the American dream. I have read the complete body of literature on invention marketing and this book is the best of the lot.

His forte is business practices, and every bit of advice is rooted in his own empirical experience. Nothing is theoretical. In particular, Levy's 10 Commandments of Negotiation are outstanding. And the licensing and option agreements will save me thousands of dollars in legal fees.

It is obvious that the author makes his living from royalties and not books and seminars. Most books in this genre are written by self-proclaimed inventors, invention marketing experts, and patent lawyers. Few of these people can point to success. The money they earn is from consultation fees, not royalties. Levy is a full time player whose success has been remarkable,
and it can be seen beginning with the cover photo depicting him with some of his licensed products.

If you want an added edge, read this book.

Having been down the product development road, I can say this with utter conviction: If you, as an inexperienced inventor and developer, depend on an older, more experienced partner to "mentor" you through the process, you will end up facing that "mentor" in court.

Better plan: Go ahead and enjoy that cordial relationship with your older "mentor" - - invite him/her to your wedding, listen intently to his/her colorful anecdotes, introduce him/her to your parents, etc. But while you're enjoying the early honeymoon stages of business bliss, buy a copy of Levy's indispensible "Idiot's Guide" and go at it with a yellow highlighter and Post-it notes. Knowledge is power.

Written and designed to offer concise, bite-sized units of useful information, Levy's book belongs on the shelf of anyone who considers him- or herself a "creator."

Non-creative vultures are circling, looking for people with ideas they can exploit. Here's your weapon; you have only yourself to blame if you don't take advantage of Levy's simple lessons.

- JOHN MICHLIG, author of GI JOE: THE COMPLETE STORY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE MAN OF ACTION, and creator of THE GI JOE MASTERPIECE EDITION

Richard Levy shares his experiences as an extremely successful individual inventor. These are revealed through lists, anecdotes, fast facts, notable quotes, and savvy forms and resources (in the appendixes.) He wants you to enjoy the process of commercializing an invention as witnessed by the many "wacky patents" added for humor. Sharing such key insights as his "Fairness and Flexibility Rule" in licensing, he sheds light on the kind of business relationships that are successful between individuals and corporations. "It's the relationship that will sustain the partnership, not the contract." And there are many small but important gems, "Fast Facts - Try not to conduct negotiations before 9:00 A.M. or after 4:00 P.M." The reasons were very interesting and demonstrated his many years of experience in pursuing this profession. The complexity of commercializing inventions is very difficult to cover in one book, but this book will help anyone looking to "Cash In on Your Inventions."

Richard Levy shares his experiences as an extremely successful individual inventor. These are revealed through lists, anecdotes, fast facts, notable quotes, and savvy forms and resources (in the appendixes.) He wants people to enjoy the process of commercializing an invention as witnessed by the many "wacky patents" added through the book for humor. Sharing such key insights as his "Fairness and Flexibility Rule" in licensing, he sheds light on the kind of business relationships that are successful between individuals and corporations. "It's the relationship that will sustain the partnership, not the contract." And there are many small but important gems, "Fast Facts - Try not to conduct negotiations before 9:00 A.M. or after 4:00 P.M." The reasons were very interesting and demonstrated his many years of experience in pursuing this profession. The complexity of commercializing inventions is very difficult to cover in one book, but this book will help anyone looking to "Cash In on Your Inventions."