www.burnslev.com

Getting Started

2006/2007

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How to Start Inventing

• Sometimes coming up with an idea for a new invention can be one of the hardest parts. There are some simple questions you can ask to get on your way…

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Getting Started

• Selecting a problem to solve:• What does not work as well as you would like it to

work?• What job(s) would you like to see solved?• What problem(s) would you like to see solved?• If you could invent something to make your life

easier, what would you invent?• What is the most annoying problem?

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Getting Started

• Think of a potential solution

• Perform a patent search on the potential solution

• Rethink the solution based on the patent search

• How do I perform a patent search?• Go to www.uspto.gov

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Getting Started

• Begin protecting a new invention by starting an invention journal.

• Real inventors have their journal witnessed and dated to help prove that they were the true inventors.

• Keep It Secret!• Invention journals have many pages, and collect a lot

of information that will be used for your report. • Start your invention journal now!

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Summary

• Applications are due January 29, 2007• Email questions to dgomes@burnslev.com or apareti@burnslev.com • Help sessions at the John D. O’Bryant School (JDO) and Brighton

High School (BHS), 4-6 PM• November 14, 2006 (JDO) and November 29, 2006 (BHS)• December 12, 2006 (JDO) and December 14, 2006 (BHS)• January 17, 2007 (JDO) and January 24, 2007 (BHS)• February 6, 2007 (JDO) and February 13, 2007 (BHS)**Dates and times are tentative, please contact us to confirm**

• Reports are due February 28, 2007• Mandatory presentation at judging in March (date(s) and location to

be announced by January 10, 2007)• Award ceremony to be held in May of 2007• Patent Application Process begins after ceremony