Many people are asking, “When will I get Invent Help https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/inventhelp?” Many inventors do not realize that once their patent is filed, they become a public figure and suffer a significant amount of harassment. As a result of being thrust into the spotlight, inventors often have trouble finding the assistance they need from the patent authorities. In many cases, a successful patent applicant will receive a visit from a “so-called” patent examiner who will attempt to obtain sensitive information about the invention. Unfortunately, Inventors and Patent Professionals do not know what to do in these situations.
In the summer of 2008, inventors across the country received numerous calls from several companies claiming to represent the “inventor” of the product or technology underlying their invention. Some of these companies represented marketing firms that will push marketing campaigns in order to gain a large market share for their product. Some companies were represented by attorneys who had previously served as a corporate representative for the company whose product the inventors claimed to have invented. Many of the so-called Invent Help services provided by these companies are nothing more than telemarketing efforts disguised as a patent consulting service. These companies will often contact individuals with a strong patent claim in order to solicit business.
One patent attorney who has represented many clients who have been contacted by Invent Help companies recommends that all his clients seek legal counsel immediately rather than allowing the telemarketer to continue calling. According to this attorney, it is often impossible to stop the harassment even when the Invent Help company is willing to stop calling. However, he notes that there are instances where an inventor is not able to obtain either a financial settlement or patent protection and that it may be necessary for them to file a lawsuit in federal court.
In one case, an inventor who invented the popular electric rowing machine received numerous calls and emails from a “selicologist” who claimed to have proof that the rowing machine was not only safe but could improve your health. The rowing machine was not actually developed by George foreman, however. The “selicologist” got his business through an online business that impersonating George foreman’s company and sought to engage in unlawful conduct through their contacts with customers. The federal lawsuit was later enjoined as a result of a ruling by the US district court.
Another case involves the registration of a technology that provided security to people by scanning their fingerprints. However, Invent Help Counsel from an Internet marketing company called VerisSign contacted the inventor seeking to register the technology as a patent. When the inventor asked for verification of his invention, rather than providing biographical data as was required by the federal rule requiring that the information must be self-provided, the Internet marketing company refused to provide any evidence supporting the safety of their invention. After being rebuffed in its attempts to secure a patent, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the company.
Two lawsuits were filed against the defendant: one in the US and one in California. The federal court ordered the defendant to cease marketing their technology prior to the patent being granted and required it to provide documents to prove that the invention is not in fact patentable. The plaintiff in the California case has also asked the court to bar the defendant from selling its technology online because the defendant failed to disclose that their website was obtained through a broker, a violation of anti-spam laws.