ABC's American Inventor

listenu...

Wouldn't something like having your invention put on national TV cause your idea to be challenged, by maybe hundreds of people attempting to do work arounds? I mean publicity is good for the marketing, but it just seems like not a great idea to make your product part of a reality show. If the show bombs, then your product will be associated with failure. What do you guys think?

listenu...

Don't know if anyone is thinking of doing this, but your should read the fine line.


From the site: http://abc.go.com/primetime/americaninventor/eligibilty.html

Inventor Eligibility Requirements:

7. Inventors must complete and sign the Participant Agreement and Release, in which among other things, Inventor agrees to release, defend and indemnify Producer and ABC (and their respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, agents, representatives and employees) from and against any claims or expenses arising from or relating to the Inventor's participation or appearance in the Program, the Invention's appearance in the Program, or Producer's exercise of any rights granted by Inventor, whether occurring before, during or after Inventor's participation in the Program, including, without limitation, claims for patent or trademark infringement.

8. Inventors must also specifically acknowledge that, separate and apart from this Program, Producer, ABC, Inc., The Walt Disney Company and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates are currently in the process of designing new products, developing new business plans and methods for conducting business, etc., and agree that **the Inventor will not at any time seek any legal remedies against these entities for their independent development, acquisition, manufacture or distribution of any product/service/method similar or identical to that of the Inventor.

sariloren

I had just found out about the American Inventor show and I am a new inventor with a product that has a provisional patent and a trademark application.

I thought it would be good publicity and a good experience to try out for the show but now I am thinking twice.

In looking at the fine line here it all goes over my head. Give me the basic terms of what that means. If I am reading it correctly it sounds like they can steal your idea right from under you and you can't take any legal action.

thoughts?

Sari

Isaac

In my reading the language does not imply that they will steal your idea.

Anyone who accepts invention submissions runs a risk of being sued for stealing the idea.  Company's who are doing their own R&D are foolish not to protect themselves against receiving a submission that matches up even roughly with something they are already doing.

In this case the company hosting the show belongs to a conglomeration of company's and does not want to torpedo themselves.  If they actually did steal your idea, nothing in the agreement prevents you from suing.  You are prevented from suing them for things they did not steal from you.

Unfortuntately the agreement seems not to acknowledge any patent rights you might have in your invention.  Even independent invention is not a defense against patent infringement.

articho...

I was so excited about AI until I started reading postings about what a bad idea it was because of the way the rules and regs are written.  Do you think doing a show like AI is better than not doing anything at all? On the other hand, I don't want to ripped off and I want to believe that a show that would be "under the miroscope" wouldn't take advantage, but it happeneds everyday.  What I really want to hear about is the audition process.  I know it started yesterday or today in LA, that would be interesting to know about.  

Mark Fr...

 ::)I attended auditions in LA on Monday Nov. 14th.  What do you want to know?

Mark

Lisa Edge

I too am interested to hear about the auditions. How was it? Crowded? Long wait? Crazy? how were the judges? Like Simon? How many were there? How long did you have to pitch your idea?  Your overall feeling after the audition? Was it good, bad ugly? Thanks in advance.

Mark Fr...

It was crowded.  I am guessing about 400 to 500 people auditioning.  The instructions said you couldn't get ther before 6am and nothing would happen until 8am.  I got there at about 6:30am and was one of the last people to audition the first day.  Others were told to return the next day.  I arrived at 6:30 am and was done at 7:00pm...  yes a long wait.  99% of that time was waiting.  4 or 5 judges all very nice.  rules say you have 2 minutes to pitch your idea, but they weren't strict about that.  

I think it went very well for me.

Dan O

Would you suggest trying to get there earlier than 6am?  Thanks.

Dan O

Also, were the auditions situated in such a way that you can walk up to the judges and show them drawings, etc.?  Was it private, meaning others auditioning cannot see you when you audition?  

thanks a lot!