How to License Your Million Dollar Idea

PREFACE vii INTRODUCTION 1 Whether you've invented a great new product or have anidea for a TV game show, a new web business, or a software program,read on to learn the steps to a great licensing deal. CHAPTER 1. CREATING THE IDEA 5 The Need for Need-Driven Products All ideas have to start somewhere. In this chapter you willlearn to read the signposts that will send your brain merrily alongthe yellow brick road and not into some dark dead-end. CHAPTER 2. HOW TO RESEARCH AND EVALUATE YOUR NEW IDEA21 How to make sure that your wonderful new idea is really asbrilliant and original as your friends and relatives tell you itis. CHAPTER 3. THE END OF THE FREE RIDE 39 All About Patents and the Lawyers Who Are Happy to Sell YouOne All about protecting your new idea with or without patents andcopyrights, and the lawyers and charlatans you'll meet alongthe way. CHAPTER 4. IT'S TIME TO SWING INTO ACTION (THE DEVIL ISIN THE DETAILS) 63 How to Prepare Your Presentation Material in a Way That WillKnock Their Socks Off A professional looking presentation will earn respect for youand for your idea. Taking the time to do it right is an investmentworth making. CHAPTER 5. LET'S START THE SHOW! 75 Locating the company or person who's waiting to hear yourbrilliant idea and shower you with riches for it. CHAPTER 6. WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO PLAY 95 Landing the Perfect Appointment with the Perfect Person atthe Perfect Company This is an eyeball-to-eyeball business, so here's how toavoid the underlings and clerks and get yourself in front of theperson who can say "yes." CHAPTER 7. GETTING TO "YES" 113 Simple and Easy Steps to Successfully Present Your NewInvention or Idea What to say and what to do to present your new idea in the kindof impressive and persuasive way to achieve the resultsyou're aiming for. CHAPTER 8. REAPING THE HARVEST 133 Examining the kind of contract that will earn you all therewards that your creativity entitles you to. CHAPTER 9. LISTENING TO SUCCESSFUL INVENTORS 163 What to do and what to avoid--some of the goof-ups,bloopers, boners, and brilliant moves that some moneymakerinventors want you to know about. CONCLUSION 169 APPENDIX 175 INDEX 223