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EdisonNation review: 25 Million Dollar Rip Off 62

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12:36 pm EDT
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Beware Inventors this is the best scam cooked up in a long time. Edision Nation, owned by Louis Foreman is sending out emails to their insiders and publishing on the internet the 25 million Dollar innovation fund. Just read it, it sounds great, WRONG! BEWARE! Foreman and Edison Nation are preying on the uninformed inventor and asking for idea submissions for the low fee of $25 per idea. If the "Select" their idea, because the have a Magic Mirror for predicting success, Foreman may invest 250k to develop it. Here is where you need to see the BS in this contest. First if all your $25 will go into the Edision Nation Pocketbook. Second, how can Edison Nation possibly evaluate an idea for $25. Third You should be concerned that others may submit the same idea as you and Edison Nation may overlook your idea. Face it we invenotrs are mostly improving the products that exist in the marketplace so do you really think they will do their homework? I don't The mere fact is Louis Foreman's company is hoping you say what most people will, its only $25 so what the hell it better than spending thousands. For every thousand people who feel this way, Edison Nation will receive $25, 000. Essentially you are buying a $25 dollar lottery ticket, oh and by the way the lottery is a money making machine too. I don't doubt you will here Edison Nation and Foreman is going to invest in a few of these $25 dollar ideas, they will have to to keep up this scam. I expected much more from the company who sends me emails on a regular basis. This one made my stomach sick, now I question the integrity of Edison Nation, Inventors Digest and Foreman. Just Beware Inventors, we are constantly tempeted by this behavior. Think

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62 comments
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I was an Inventor
, US
Aug 30, 2018 4:32 pm EDT
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I was a member of edison nation and I belive it is a scam, once you figure out that you have been taken. An edison nation team members MUTE your account so you can not tell other members of the forms about how you where scammed and the phone number edison nation has listed is a fake number. Edison Nation cuts off all contact with you. I have spoken with the owner of Edison Nation about the muting of accounts, He seems much more trustworthy the his employees. He stated that he did not know anything about the muting of account and that he will look in to the matter. I will keep the members of everyone updated.

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frustratedinventor
, US
Jan 31, 2018 10:51 pm EST

Beware of provisional patents if you arent getting a real one within a year. I had a provisional patent, jumped throuvh hoops to meet Walmart's requirements. They rejected my idea after exactly one year and three months later they had the same product on their shelves that NEVER existed before. They were made in China for Walmart. The big companies take advantage of the common person. It is very sad that so many creative people lose out! And did I mention that Edison Nation turned down my idea? Not so sure about them. I just dont know.

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Harvdog42
, US
May 08, 2017 3:56 pm EDT
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Wow, I just started reading about the overwhelming subject of inventing, protecting and marketing an invention. To give you a little background, I am the author of the book "Machine Shop Trade Secrets." I had no problem finding a publisher and the book has done well in its niche market over the last decade or so. I'm a machinist by trade but currently do CNC programming, CAD design and 3D printing for the company I work for. My first love, however is inventing. I have about a dozen inventions, all with functional prototypes but was never willing to invest any money in them for various reasons. However with my latest invention, I'm willing to invest. This is where things get murky in a hurry. I believe the safest way to launch a product in terms of having control over it, is to manufacture and market it yourself which leaves out middlemen. The downside is the initial investment. I probably won't go that route so what options am I left with? What about approaching manufacturers yourself with a patented invention? Has anybody here tried to do that?

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rochester allums
, US
Nov 14, 2016 12:30 am EST
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well to start I was shaken to hear the complaint against EN, because I was all excited about finally here was a forum that would enable a poor man a hope without costing him an arm and a leg up front which this poor man does not have. however I read further to get a different view from others that stated the matter in a made sense believable way. please take a look at proverbs chapter 18 verse 17 [proverbs 18:17] this wisdom from the highest source will amaze you. so in conclusion I am going to proceed with sending my Idea to EN in hopes that I am ok in doing so but with full realization that it may not arrive at success, because every Idea realistically submitted does not. and if I am a fool I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHO THIS FOOL IS ...1 am willing to risk $25.00 to see
MY NAME IS Rochester ALLUMS ...AND THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY OF THOSE AROUND ...

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GoodStuff
, US
Apr 10, 2016 3:28 pm EDT
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I just went to an informative lecture given by Louis Foreman who also runs the PBS show Edison Nation. He advises the White House on patent issues and was consulted in the latest major chain to patent law. He was as honest and approachable as I anyone and gave an unsolicited response that about 1 in 1000 submissions are good and they sift through a lot to get to that one...I thought he stated the $25 is a bar to get people to have some skin in the game and that they wished people would do simple internet searches and save themselves $25. I am shocked by the negative spin someone put on this company and individual.. I know there are a lot of scam out there, but do not think this is one of them...

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davea0511
, US
Feb 03, 2016 2:47 pm EST

Agreed that most of these sour grapes just didn't look hard enough before they submitted their idea. A kitty litter box with a built-in screening device? Did you even try to do a patent search or a market search? If so, you weren't very good. I'm continually amazed at the number of things people think are original ideas. As I understand Edison Nation is better than most online-invention companies, but they're all far worse success rate than DIY inventors ... by like 1000 times, and at best, if they market your idea you'll make 1/10 to 1/100th than if you DIY it. But then ... it's a lot more work. Investing in an idea ... even sorting through ideas ... and the market research ... it's hard work, and the risk of that investment going to pot is also extremely high. And I think it's poorly managed because they don't have enough skin in the game themselves. That's why all companies doing it either go bankrupt or get a bad rep for shafting inventors. Quirky is in the same boat. QVC too.

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theonetheonlytrashbucket
Conroe, US
Nov 06, 2014 1:03 pm EST

I am at this point amazed with the results. I submitted my invention at 9:00PM on a Tuesday. by 4:30 the next day I had revived an email from EN. Stating that my idea was a finalist. I had skipped the 8 stage review process, Because my idea was already patented. I also had a video of a working prototype. And it probably helps that it is a winning idea to start with. In One day, they had Pitched it 8 times. 5 of which were considering the idea. Now I do not know if anyone else has had this experience. If so I would love to here any feedback. The reputation of the company is encouraging. and until someone comments in a negative way I am holding my head high. The idea and design are MINE. My concern is not with weather someone is going to steal it. at this point, it seems too good to be true. despite the fact that I have give them 50% of the royalties, which I am willing to do, 1.because without this companies actions, the prototype would just set in my room, until I had at least $100, 000 to start manufacturing myself. which would not be any time soon.
And 2. That is what any licensing agent would charge for doing the same job they are doing anyway, the only problem with a licensing agent is that it is nearly impossible to find a legitimate one. this company has a reputation of making things happen, and that is enough for me.
The comments on ideas being stolen and sold make sense. on every comment regarding this concern. the person did not own the idea. it was not patented. they just submitted the idea to EN and hoped that they would do everything. these people set themselves up to be stolen from. anytime you have a number of people in a company like this, with IP up for grabs. of course on person in the group of people is going to get there hands on it and either sell it or somehow profit from it. there is a process in this country, do your research and follow the steps. Yes this costs a bit of money, but that is the world we live in.
My opinion on the $25 Fee to review it is: Well worth it! for $25 it has been Pitched 8 times with over half Being interested. I would call that a LIGITAMATE FEE. WELL WORTH IT!

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nightsky2014
Salem, US
Sep 11, 2014 7:30 pm EDT

Hello all
I would like to know if anyone can offer advice.
I thought I had the perfect "idea" and not seen any in stores. I paid an attorney to do a patent search but was told there was a total of 5 patents that was similar to my idea in concept even though my idea had 3 other things different than what the others offered or atleast I did not see the 3 things in the descriptions of the other patents similar in concept. I was told it would have to be fought and I am not sure what that means? Does this mean that I cannot get my idea patented or is it a waste of time?
also I was told that i could instead for for a design patent, but it is the concept of the idea that I am more concerned with so would it be useless to file for design patent or is it better than nothing?
you can email me please
nightsky78@live.com

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mercurybc2
okc, US
May 29, 2014 6:56 am EDT
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Today he was on tv on fox and friends, he says "it is free to join our community"...it is not free, you charge $ 25.00 for any idea submitted...why do you say it is free ?! If we don't submit any idea, why should we join your community ?!..., then, it is right away a lie on national tv ...and everybody should stop right there .

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MJMJ
Port Washington, US
May 19, 2014 3:25 pm EDT
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Has anyone had their invention go some where with this company? I was so excited to hopefully have found a reputable company. I have been working with Enhance Product Development and I'm seeing some of the same things I've read about customers experiences with Edison Nation. Please help! Does anyone know the best way to get an invention on the market? I currently have a pending patent, but not sure if this even offers enough protection.

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G0odwi11
Pittsfield, US
Mar 31, 2014 3:11 pm EDT

I have had the pleasure of meeting Louis Foreman and can say that he presents as a genuine character of goodwill. I also met the head of product development for HSN at the same time. Let me say this, if you had a lot of... Old money and really wanted to help the inventors that can't afford the time or money it would take to play the game of bringing it to market, what better way than to HELP. The $25 submission fee of an idea is paying for the work to be done to see if it's marketable etc. Nothing is free. They even go as far as to say that they generally don't pick ideas without a provisional patent. The Edison nation crew in my opinion is the genuine article.

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cmpltsbrd
Stroudsburg, US
Mar 22, 2014 12:07 pm EDT

Within a year after I submitted my idea for a cat litter box and bag system in which litter can be sifted through holes in the bag
and clumps remain behind, The product "Sift and Toss" cat litter bags showed up on the shelves of pet stores made in China distributed by All Star Products. The mesh bags are virtually identical to the ones I submitted. Unfortunately, I trusted
Edison Nation and did not read the fine print in the contract you must submit to do business with them and I did not have a patent. I
later learned that even if I had had a patent, they reserve the right to reassign the patent to themselves.

Below is the exact wording from their contract. I hope someone will see this before this before signing a contract with them. EN has effectively "buried" all complaints about them to page 2 or 3 of search engines so that their positive reviews are all on page 1. They are also trolling these message boards and posting fake positive reviews while thumbing down all legitimate negative reviews. DO NOT trust them. The wording of the contract states in several places:

"WHEREAS Edison Nation desires to Consider the Innovation for purposes of possible acquisition of the Intellectual Property;"
"Assignor irrevocably quitclaims, sells, assigns, transfers, and conveys
to Assignee all rights, title, and interests in, to, and under the
Intellectual Property. Assignor does not, however, transfer title to, or
grant any rights or interests in, any tangible articles of the
Intellectual Property.
Assignor further covenants and agrees, and binds any and all heirs,
administrators, legal representatives, nominees, and assigns, to assist
and cooperate with Assignee in the preparation and prosecution of any
patent, trademark, or copyright application included within the
Intellectual Property and in the prosecution or defense of any
interference, opposition, lawsuit, or other proceeding that may arise in
connection with the Intellectual Property and, further, to execute and
deliver to Assignee any and all additional petitions, oaths,
assignments, or other papers or instruments that may be reasonably
requested by Assignee; provided, however, that the actual, reasonable
costs to Assignor that are incurred in compliance by Assignor with such
assistance and cooperation will be reimbursed by Assignee.
Assignor further covenants and agrees to authorize and empower Assignee
to invoke and claim for any patent application, patent, trademark
application, and trademark registration
included within the Intellectual Property the benefit of any rights to
which Assignor might be entitled under international law or under the
laws of any particular country, and to invoke and claim such rights
without further written or oral authorization from Assignor. Assignor
appoints Assignee as its lawful attorney-in-fact to act on its behalf
for the limited purposes of effecting recordation or public notice of
the assignment of any of the Intellectual Property, including the
execution of assignment instruments for purposes of recordation with,
for example, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and the U.S.
Copyright Office.
Assignor further covenants and agrees that this Assignment shall inure
to the benefit of the successors, assigns, legal representatives, or
nominees of Assignee, without further written or oral authorization from
Assignor."
"Innovator acknowledges that Innovator is entering and upon submission
entered into this Agreement only after careful consideration of this
Agreement and the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement,
and that Innovator has had full and fair opportunity to seek legal
advice concerning the rights and obligations of the Parties to this
Agreement."
"During the Term of this Agreement and subject to Section 3 below, in
consideration for Edison Nation’s promise to Consider the Innovation,
Innovator agrees to enter into and immediately sign, without
negotiation, the Innovator Assignment and Commercialization Agreement
attached as Exhibit A, including all of the terms and obligations, upon
receipt of a Notice of Selection for commercialization of the
Innovation."
" WHEREAS Assignor agreed to the terms and conditions of the Prior
Agreement as part of a submission that Assignor entered on the Edison
Nation Web site, the Submission Acknowledgement for which is included as
Schedule A;
WHEREAS Assignor is obligated under the Prior Agreement to sign this
Assignment for purposes of possible commercialization of one or more
products based on the Innovation submitted by Innovator to Assignee
under the Prior Agreement; and
WHEREAS Assignee desires to acquire, in accordance with the terms and
obligations arising under this Assignment, all rights to the
Intellectual Property now existing or created in the future that are
associated with the Innovation;"
"
Any and all inventions; any and all domestic, foreign and international
patents and patent applications, including any reissue, reexamination,
extension, renewal, substitution, conversion, confirmation, division,
continuation, continuation-in-part, provisional, nonprovisional, and the
like of any patent or patent application, and any patent or patent
application claiming a right of priority to any of the foregoing; all
domestic, foreign and international trademarks and trademark
applications and registrations, and related domain names and Web sites;
all domestic and foreign copyrights; trade secrets; know-how; and
designs; and including any refinements, changes, variations,
derivatives, and improvements of the foregoing; and any past or present
right or cause of action arising under any of the foregoing, including
the right to sue for infringement, which are incorporated in, embodied
by, or otherwise directly related to an Innovation."

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J.C. Johnson
glendale, US
Dec 29, 2013 4:56 pm EST
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My friend just e-mailed an ad to me about a foot scrubber that prevents slipping in the shower and cleans feet with a scrubber -type pad for exfoliating. Also no bending required. It is almost exactly like the one I submitted to EDISON Nation. I have my original drawings and the photos in my computer files with the dates. It looks like it was patented or trademarked in Canada. Anyone else's end up in another country? Where do I go, who do I sue? J. Johnson

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Positive Outlook2010
Bloomington, US
Dec 14, 2013 12:45 pm EST
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Why does everyone think they can get something for nothing? A persons time has value. $25 to evaluate an idea is nothing. If you are going to whine about the $25 and talk about how you cant afford to get ripped off, you have larger issues to worry about.

I have submitted numerous ideas to EN. Did i have time to patent and market them? No. I did make it to the final cut and signed a contract with a large company. Will I ever see anymore money from that? I don't know. But a $2500 check was worth a few moments of my time.

I will keep submitting ideas to EN just for the fun of it. Life is short. Do what you enjoy and the money will eventually follow.

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Sarah Van Vlake
Arlington, US
Dec 06, 2013 8:46 pm EST
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I tried to contact an administrator at Edison Nation by the name of Matt Spangard back in early July of this year with a legitimate question because I was told by the other members that he was reliable and would help me. It is now December 6 (five months later) and I have not heard a peep or anything else from him. I would not recommend Edison Nation to anyone.

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anonymous123432
, US
Dec 03, 2013 6:33 pm EST

I have used Edison Nation before, and never got past stage 7. Now, they have more transparency and will tell you why your idea didn't get chosen. I submitted a new idea recently (my past experiences were years ago) and at this point in time I am totally fed up with them. When I got R4'd their 'feedback' was that the invention didn't have mass market potential due to not having benefits over what is on the market. That is totally absurd because I outlined numerous benefits over the current products on the market so it felt like I was dealing with some bureaucracy that is just making stuff up and not actually putting thought into it. To add insult to injury, they reused my links I included in the submission to show the competition so they could see how much more advanced my invention was, and used those links when they said that there was no benefit. So, basically by reusing my links it appears that they didn't put more than a few moments of work and thought into the invention. I consider that to be a total waste of money, to have someone spend such little though on the invention that they can't find their own evidence to prove a point.

Elmo Derador
Elmo Derador
South Westword, US
Nov 22, 2013 7:35 pm EST

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/9da4.jpg/

Just visit www.edisonnationisascam.com

Also see http://youtu.be/Z4KQQH3aK0Q

They defrauded me several times. I took them seriously only because they had a TV program that airs on PBS. They declared me an "Everyday Edison" for three of my inventions. Poor PBS.

After I gave them a "Power of Attorney" to manage these three inventions, their gross negligence and irresponsibility caused me to lose a monopoly of my intellectual property rights for these 3 inventions for 20 Years. (The length of a US patent)

Then, they also defrauded me with their online scam. I submitted 245 inventions where 37.5 % were finalists, 3 more products selected to be brought to market, for a total of 6 inventions they were contractually obligated to produce, and bring to store shelves, plus all those 245 inventions entitled to recurrent submission at no extra fee, by virtue of my "Insider" membership which cost me extra each month, ended up being fraudulent claims, promises, and agreements arbitrarily and arrogantly breached.

The crooks actually believe that they are above everybody's rights. That they are above the law.

When I started blowing the whistle, they just closed my account. See http://youtu.be/BSAWN8c3j5o

Another youtube video is posted with this message

On top of everything, they desecrate the name of Thomas Edison. Edison Nation and Everyday Edisons have no decency or respect for anything except for each dollar they can scam out of hardworking, innocent, good faith independent inventors.

They are professional scammers, lead by their Chief Charlatan Officer, Louis Foreman, a professional, compulsive liar. A Con Artist.

On top of all the money I paid them, All the earned achievements that ended up in deception and fraud, I lost at least 7000 hours of labor and diligence put into my 245 submissions lured by their promises and contractual assurances.

My name is Luis Rodriguez and I make these statements under penalty of perjury.

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Elmo Derador
Elmo Derador
South Westword, US
Nov 22, 2013 7:25 pm EST

Just visit www.edisonnationisascam.com

Also see http://youtu.be/Z4KQQH3aK0Q

They defrauded me several times. I took them seriously only because they had a TV program that airs on PBS. They declared me an "Everyday Edison" for three of my inventions. Poor PBS.

After I gave them a "Power of Attorney" to manage these three inventions, their gross negligence and irresponsibility caused me to lose a monopoly of my intellectual property rights for these 3 inventions for 20 Years. (The length of a US patent)

Then, they also defrauded me with their online scam. I submitted 245 inventions where 37.5 % were finalists, 3 more products selected to be brought to market, for a total of 6 inventions they were contractually obligated to produce, and bring to store shelves, plus all those 245 inventions entitled to recurrent submission at no extra fee, by virtue of my "Insider" membership which cost me extra each month, ended up being fraudulent claims, promises, and agreements arbitrarily and arrogantly breached.

The crooks actually believe that they are above everybody's rights. That they are above the law.

When I started blowing the whistle, they just closed my account. See http://youtu.be/BSAWN8c3j5o

Another youtube video is posted with this message

On top of everything, they desecrate the name of Thomas Edison. Edison Nation and Everyday Edisons have no decency or respect for anything except for each dollar they can scam out of hardworking, innocent, good faith independent inventors.

They are professional scammers, lead by their Chief Charlatan Officer, Louis Foreman, a professional, compulsive liar. A Con Artist.

On top of all the money I paid them, All the earned achievements that ended up in deception and fraud, I lost at least 7000 hours of labor and diligence put into my 245 submissions lured by their promises and contractual assurances.

My name is Luis Rodriguez and I make these statements under penalty of perjury.

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Ganrooburns
, US
Oct 28, 2013 4:36 pm EDT

It isn't a scam. They have an A rating on the bbb.org website. Plus, I've tried another site that truly is a scam- Davison. That place wants about $600 plus another $11000 or so once they "select" your idea. All they have me was a binder full of similar inventions but mine was still first to market..supposedly. Do your research and you should be fine!

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ieden
Franklin, US
Jun 17, 2011 3:36 pm EDT

After creating account and providing general details of invention, I thought it would be a good idea to verify if the company would respond to a simple "forgot password" request. Nope... No response to emails or requests.
Pity, my invention would have saved the average homeowner several hundred dollars per year in fuel costs.

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Hamm2018
, US
Aug 12, 2018 8:30 am EDT
Replying to comment of ieden

They have a link "forgot password"...duh. What does your complaint about them even prove? Geez

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vergulito
Newark, US
Sep 28, 2013 11:01 am EDT
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Edison nation, and its sister company, Everyday Edisons are FRAUD. A scam. Their dishonesty is only surpassed by their arrogance and belief that they are above the law. See: www.edisonnationisascam.com THEY ARE FRAUD

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Ron Lewton
Austin, US
Sep 28, 2022 4:23 pm EDT
Replying to comment of vergulito

[censored] you, Luis.

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AlexiaB
Astoria, US
Sep 27, 2013 8:12 pm EDT

I was just about to send them something until I read this - so thanks! Can anyone recommend a good place to go with an original idea, where I can have a prototype made? I discovered Edison Nation on the QVC website, so was believing in them until now.

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Sarah Van Vlake
Arlington, US
Jul 03, 2013 9:41 pm EDT
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I should and do apologize for saying that Edison Nation is a total ripoff. I was/am very frustrated at how they handled my concerns, but to say that they are a total ripoff was wrong on my part. I think that they need a lot of work in the communication department.

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Sarah Van Vlake
Arlington, US
Jun 20, 2013 12:24 pm EDT
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I agree with this 100% Edison Nation is a total ripoff! They left me hanging on an idea for over two years...I shelled out 9.25 a month to be an "insider" then submitted an idea several times...on one of them I was left hanging for over a year, told that I was moved to their "Insider Licensing Program" left hanging for another year and was promised feedback if my idea was not licensed. The only feedback I got was :"Sorry we couldn't find a home for your idea" after all the YEARS of waiting and all the money I wasted! I can't even find a phone number for the cowards!

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ricoh_2001
, VE
Jun 13, 2013 9:46 pm EDT

I also I have my doubts IN, send 4 Ideas and spent the 4th. I said nothing. I have flaws there.
I am now seeing a quirky it seems better, have much inventions commercially. edwin cen

I also want to expose an experience.
once patent an idea that was 10 years in my mind.
10 months and appeared in trade for sale, I thought someone who eloped the idea to the company. the reason is that my idea was not patentable and therefore it could either make.

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Daryl Drennan
Blaine, US
May 28, 2013 10:41 pm EDT

Inventing is foremost about the person who will use the invention, the consumer. If you care enough about the consumer having a better life. And you care enough about how the product will help people than don't give up. Inventing isn't foremost about making money it's about making peoples lives better.Money serves to help with physical needs but helping others blesses the soul and inventing products that make life better for others embraces the heart of the gifted inventor. Inventing is seeing what does net yet exist and that takes sight that most people don't have. It also requires strong faith and hope that you will make the world a better place through your gifted abilities. It's about you touching the world. People aren't really complicated they simply want a product that will make their lives better. Offer them what they're looking for and they will find it. Inventors through history have changed the world to give people a better tomorrow not to line their pocketbooks. If anyone makes hood money while they help make a netter tomorrow that is simply an added benefit. God bless you.

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invgirlie
, US
May 01, 2013 7:40 pm EDT

I am not affiliated with Edison Nation. Just a few thoughts.

1. Consider that your idea really is NOT all that original. Case in point. A few weeks ago, I was watching TV and saw a commercial for a product I thought I had invented. Yet it was being advertised by a big, international company. Funny thing is that I never told anyone about my idea. It was still in my head. So, this means that someone else thought of the same idea and beat me to it. PLUS, consider that big companies have staff members whose sole job is to come up with new product ideas. Up thread, someone said they invented coffee bags. Really? Isn't it possible that one of Folgers R & D staff members came up with that same idea and just had the means to develop it?

2. Some people don't have the time, money, or skill to bring product to market by themselves. Using a company like EN makes sense for some people.

3. EN is very transparent with their disclosures. You can go to their site and read the language from the actual contracts you would sign. As to patents, they are clear and honest about it. If you come to the table without your own patent, they will patent it for you under their name. They tell you this upfront. You can read about it before you submit. If you are not comfortable with any of their provisions, you have the right to not submit to them.

EN may not be for everybody, but they are NOT a scam.

Again, your "great" idea may not be as unique as you think it is.

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Independent Inventor
Marshfield, US
Mar 12, 2013 4:47 pm EDT
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I was a member there for a couple of years and I can tell you that Louis Foreman and company are laughing all the way to the bank! They've COMPLETELY sucked in thousands of people by convincing them that they'll be safe from all the unscrupulous inventor assistance companies out there. That part is true, they WILL keep your submissions secret, but try going to the USPTO website and search for patent applications under Louis Forman's name! I'll save everyone the trouble, here's the link:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=0&f=S&l=50&TERM1=foreman+louis&FIELD1=IN&co1=AND&TERM2=&FIELD2=&d=PG01

See anything there that relates to ideas that have been submitted to them? And he's actually trying to secure patents on the very type of scam he's running!

Basically, they're slowly nickel and diming their members to death! And because so many of them have consumed the "EN Koolaid" they're like zombies believing that their submissions have a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding. Try looking ANYWHERE on the web to see if you can find out how many members Edison Nation actually has. You're not likely to find that information anywhere because it's such a closely guarded secret. One of their members who they made into a hero of sorts actually let the membership number slip out in one of their forum posts. But in no more than an hour or two later that information was scrubbed clean from the post! At the time (maybe a year ago?) the total membership was about 80, 000! Think about that for a minute. If only 10% or their members submit an idea to any given search that means at a minimum, you're completing against at least 8, 000 other members on the same submission! But that same 8, 000 times $25 per submission puts $200, 000 into the pockets of Louis Foreman and company! And that process gets repeated scores of times each year!

One of their inventions that they LOVE to hold up as a "HUGE" success story is the Eggies product. If you look it up on Amazon you'll find the reviews are appallingly bad! Out of HUNDREDS of reviews 75% give the product a one star rating and many people made comments indicating they would have given the product ZERO stars if it had been an option! The reviews for the Emery Cat and Mr. Steamy aren't a whole lot better either. But if you want to become a target of a massive flaming campaign just join for free and try posting anything about what a ### product Eggies are see what happens!

So if you're serious about trying to bring a product to market, try checking out the Big Idea Group:

http://www.bigideagroup.net/

Or Warren Tuttle's group:

http://www.monasheemarketing.com/

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J1000cv
Lawton, US
Feb 10, 2013 9:26 am EST

I submitted my invention to edison nation only to find it 3years later being sold in stores. I had a patent. Do I have any rights?

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Eureka Innovations
Tulsa, US
Nov 10, 2012 11:28 pm EST
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Stage 7?... What the hell? More like stage string you out. I am sure that 90% of the cronies on here are Edison Nation or work for them. Before you send any company any idea, you need to keep a documented diary of your idea. From the moment you created it and the improvements or any changes you make as you work on it. make sure you do as much as you can to show your progress. It is important you do sketches as detailed as you can. Do the best you can in your sketches, as I know not everyone is an artist. Get a friend who can draw that you trust. In all your sketches use arrow indicators to describe all parts this way if you cannot really draw it will describe what you are intending it to be. Go to your bank and ask for their free notary service and have it notarized, this will authenticate your date marks. As you progress and add more information go back and have your updates notarized. Now, this is not to be used as a form for Patents. This is your back up paper trail that you can use in case your Patent submission is stolen and you want to have even better evidence. If you have to go to court because you feel ripped off and the other person has nothing detailing his work in progress or proof, it will make your case look better, but again this is not the same as a submitted Patent. You still do not want to send your info to anybody until you have submitted it to the PTO. Look up Provisional Patents at USPTO.GOV they have made it very easy to submit your idea and the cost is only $125. Once you submit your Provisional Patent (on any idea) and receive your acknowledged submission form from the Patent Office with your Patent Pending # you can then begin to feel as safe as you would be if you had not when submitting your ideas to companies. The application form is 37 cfr 1.53 (c) type this in their search engine. Also their is a Submission form for the fee payment. Both are very simple to fill out. You will need to submit a detailed description of your idea try and be thorough, you do not need to sound like a lawyer just your best English. Make sure it makes sense and have someone read it that has never seen your idea, if you give it to someone that has they will already know what it is you are writing about. If they can understand it without your help as they read it then work on it some more. If you have to explain as they read, you must understand you will not be there to explain it to the Examiner. Also, draw a top, front, back, bottom and side view of what it will look like, again find a friend who can draw if you cannot, also show this to the person reading it without describing what it is, let them see if they can tell what it is. You can write the descriptions of each drawing in your written submission. Make sure that the person you have read it is somewhat capable of understanding, someone you consider intelligent. Fill out all your paper work and you can send it in. You can also file it over the internet which I believe is cheaper than the paper work and gets there faster. Inventors always think they have the next light bulb. You get so caught up in it and start asking your friends about what they think. They are your friends they are not going to try and hurt your feelings and most of the time agree. Best thing I do is tell people that I saw this new invention on say...TV or at a store then proceed to tell them your invention, not knowing it is a potential idea for an invention of yours, they will tell you straight up if they like it or not since your feelings unknowingly to them are not going to be hurt. You will need to ask several people, if they like it then you may have something if they do not then you need to be aware and understand that maybe it is something you would use but not interesting to others. This prevents you from spending to much money on your idea and will help rationalize your Eureka excitement. I would never send anything to anyone who asks money to have it looked at, what do they have to lose? Or better yet gain? Kansas City's Inventors club works with big name companies and evaluates them for free. They will either reject you immediately or pass you on to the next tier and if you do not live their they do their meetings on the internet live with very informative free information. They also have prior meetings each one having a subject. Well worth looking into. I was not aware that Quirky holds you to a contract even if they turn you down and you go elsewhere and are a success they have a part in it? Plus they also charge $10 for submission, and the products just like the ones on Edison Nation are OK but not top sellers, most of their inventions fizzle out after awhile. I have heard that Kickstarter.com is a great way to fund your project but they are not interested in gizmos like those on ASOTV they look for electronic ideas are mainly computer or smartphone or design. Every State has an Inventors group, you will meet other inventors that will either be starting their invention or nearly finishing or have finished. You will get all the war stories of whom to avoid, they are their to help, and understand you do not want to reveal your idea. I can guarantee you you will hear negatives on Edison Nation, and its rag Inventors Digest. When a magazine works with a company, it is going to be biased. If you do read it anytime they mention Edison Nation, you know that it is free advertising for their partner. Fox is guarding the hen house. I read several comments mentioning that several of the people on here that are negative are just sore, but not one of them showed me a product of theirs that got to market, only how helpful Edison Nation was including that poor guy who went through 7 tiers... again...what? Beware of all the vultures in this racket, they will pick you dry and the only ones to make any money are the scammers. Good luck... Oh! Edison Nation commenters, covering your butts show us some of your works in progress or give us the details on how these inventors are doing financially you have financed. This would really help us trust you!

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Flint106
, US
Dec 16, 2017 7:17 am EST

EN's Betsy Kauffman Designed and drew out an egg idea that you boil in a pan inside plastic like capsules so you don't need to worry about peeling the eggs. She submitted the $25 dollar idea from a sketch on a NAPKIN ! into as seen on tv search. She made it through all stages. And her product is all over Gods green earth now. And there are many other successful inventors making it passed the Finish line at EN as well. That's just one example. but the list goes on. They also DO let those whom make it to stage 7 who get how to rejected by the Main Sponsor who is looking for the ideas, WHY it was rejected. and how they can improve upon it so that it will have a better shot of success in another search. This has happened to me a few times. I would say being a member for several years now, that submitting an idea for $25 dollars to EN is well worth the Risk. And yes it is wise to seek other avenues as well. But to strip EN right out of it all, Definitely Not.

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Inventorr
, US
Oct 20, 2012 9:23 pm EDT
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Beware of General Mills "innovation" site, if you don´t have a patent DON´T SUBMIT your idea to them or you could see your invention come to life ...but without your name on it...

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VINCENZOD
Las Vegas, US
Oct 20, 2012 5:20 pm EDT
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I HAVE SENT IN OVER 12 INVENTIONS IDEAS TO EDISON, SOME OF THEM HAD MADE IT TO THIER STAGE 7 ONE STEP AWAY FROM BEING PICKED UP AND BROUGHT TO MARKET. AS FAR AS A SCAM? NOT SURE ALL I KNOW IS THAT FOR YEARS I HAVE HAVE PAID MY MONTHLY DUES AND WHEN THEY CHECK OUT YOUR IDEA AND YOU MAKE IT TO STAGE 7 OR LESS THEY DO NOT GIVE YOU ANY INFO WHY YOU WHERE NOT SELECTED OR HOW STRONG YOUR IDEA WAS. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOMEONE TO WORK WITH ME SPILT ANY PROFITS FROM MY IDEAS . IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT WANTS TO WORK WITH ME? I HAVE COPIES OF AN NDA FOR YOU TO SIGN, I CAN EMAIL YOU FOR YOU TO SIGN, I KNOW WITH THE RIGHT PERSON OR PEOPLE WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT vincedangona@yahoo.com, LETS TALK MAYBE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER. GOD BLESS

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Yulonda Whisby
Chicago, US
Oct 08, 2012 7:18 pm EDT

Hello to my fellow innovators, my name is Yulonda Whisby, and I too am in a difficult siuation when it comes to idea submissions. I ran across the Everyday Edisons TV show and was awd. It was at that very second, that I felt like GOD was sending me the sign to go ahead and begin innovating. I can come up with so may ideas so fast, but I must admit, I am leery about submitting my idea to anyone. I am skeptical because, I know that people and companies steal legally, leaving the innocent and trusting common folk, low and disgusted. I remain in a difficult position because just like many of you, I have zero funds to produce any kind of prototype, let alone advertising, marketing and manufacturing, or a patent. Right now, the only thing I can do is put my hopes in someone who possess the know- how, and has the clientale. All I can do is pray that I come across some God-fearing angel, who has made a success of themselves and didn't forget where they came from. You all are not alone. I wish all of you the very best. We are all creative, and bright stars. We are smart and strong-willed. We will make it some day, some how. Keep your heads high and remain focused. Stay true in your endeavors, Disregard the negative. Some honest soul will recognize our potential without allowing greed to think for them. KEEP INNOVATING THINKERS! It's just like Thomas A Edison said: "From the neck down a man is worth a couple of dollars a day. From his neck up, he is worth anything his brain can produce." Stay positive and continue to work hard. Don't give up my friends, I know I won't.

dejinn
dejinn
Vancouver, CA
Oct 04, 2012 10:20 am EDT

'good' patent lawyers take your money like anyone else. doesn't matter how ridiculous a patent idea may be, you have the right to file a patent on it. even if they know it is nonsense they will not tell you so. guilt-free thievery. that's why they are in that business.

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JoePublicVA
, US
Dec 30, 2016 11:27 pm EST
Replying to comment of dejinn

Research, research, research ur idea first.

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49er mike
, US
Sep 24, 2012 5:54 pm EDT

Trust no one but a good patent lawyer, and have him/her sign a disclosure statement after you have mailed the drawings/description to yourself. There is a book called "patent it yourself". I read most of it, and boy is it hard to do yourself. I would need help to do all of that process and paperwork. You need to be thourough. It is a good book to read and see how much is involved with patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Learn what the differences are in the three and you might not need a patent. Maybe you'll fall in a copyright or trademark situation. I tried to market a couple of ideas on my own as a test market. Making the product and packageing, then marketing is really tough. My golden $2000 dollar lesson ---ready here it is--- "just because you think it is a great idea does not mean anyone else thinks it is good or useful". I escaped on the cheap really. I am not going to risk it with EN. I'll go to the local inventors group and make my own decisions. I'll educate myself and make my own moves. If it does not feel right and your feeling that it is going nowhere, STOP, evaluate, and quit if the idea is starting to suck you of your money. Know your limits You should be able to sell your product in some mass amounts before you move on. If it does not sell I'd think about giving up like what happened to me. Sell the idea to a big company, but only with the use of a patent attorney. Cover yourself always. Good luck. Mike M.

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Elsombre
Portland, US
Sep 24, 2012 10:04 am EDT
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To everyone who feels ripped off because someone else "stole" your idea, please consider that you might not be the only person with that idea. Many of my ideas/inventions (which never left my drawing boards) have been patented by others and some have become successful products. Just because you thought of it, doesn't mean you thought of it first. I've used EN in the past and, knowing the limitations of their process, am quite satisfied with their services. I'd like them to provide more but for $25 you get what you pay for.

As far as other resources for inventors - I'd recommend MIPO (https://twitter.com/mipooregon), they are a non-profit inventor assistance organization (in Oregon) that provides a low cost avenue to mentors, patent services and engineering/prototypes if you can follow through that far. Using MIPO services, I now have a provisional patent and will start engineering and prototyping in a couple of months - at an extremely low cost. Also consider crowd sourcing - kickstarter.com is a great example and there are many more.

Good luck to everyone,

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Mvs77
Spr, US
Sep 16, 2012 11:06 am EDT

I just want to thank every one for showing me the light. I've always had many ideas and inventions. And I just started a en acct. But became weirry cause they charge u just to review youre idea. Thats NOT right. I cant afford to do that. Heck, I cant even afford to be ripped off. so how do I get my ideas to be looked at, without getting ripped off and spending a lot of money?

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JoePublicVA
, US
Dec 30, 2016 11:23 pm EST
Replying to comment of Mvs77

1st step patent (provisional gives u 1yr protection). Design patent simpler than Utility patent. Research the difference. Less than $100 doing it ur self. Before yr runs out must do Nonprovisional patent application to extend ur protection. Starting about $300 for simplest claim of ur invention. U will spend more time doing the work than u have money... If u have no money, use ur time.

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Michele
Palm Bay, US
Sep 13, 2012 9:07 pm EDT

I am the ORIGINAL inventor of the coffee bag. I am an avid coffee drinker and one day I thought...what if I want a cup of coffee and there is no coffee maker available? Well there is real tea in tea bags, so why not ground coffee? I hired a company to research it for me, sending them a few hundred dollars a month, and even sent a PROTOTYPE to them, and months later (about a year), around Christmas time, my friend came to my house and said, "Guess what I just saw in Kmarts?" Coffee bags! Yes folks, not only were they still charging me, but stole my idea and sold it to major coffee companies! I still have the ORIGINAL paperwork that I mailed to myself and never opened it. So BEWARE of these fraudulent companies that ask you to pay any kind of fee. You are better off to research your idea and hire a patent attorney. And by the way...I have a new invention...but no funds to create it. So it sits in my mind...

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Bean Tinker
Fairfield, US
Aug 29, 2012 10:53 am EDT

John Curry - Please keep us posted. I've been researching e few different options for my ideas. I am also one that has a few ideas but no desire to take on the venture beyond developing the prototype. I've been going back and forth between Quirky and EN. Leaning towards EN for a few reasons. Quirky binds you in a contract that obligates you to pay them 10% after rejecting your idea if you pursue it with somebody else. Let's face it, the possibility of anyone's idea being rejected is huge. Quirky also posts the idea for thousands of people to see - even with a provisional patent, I'm not comfortable with that because like many other inventors, I believe my idea is a good one. Either way, for those of us that don't have the funds, time or experience to take our idea to market - these types of options could be a good thing. So please, John Curry, if EN provides you with a pleasant experience, please let us know. Thank you Bean Tinker

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JoePublicVA
, US
Dec 30, 2016 11:13 pm EST

Quirky rejected my working invention claimed that one exists...not! I did my research, made working models, props and shown it to mechanics and received approval from them. Additionally, I went to retail stores showing seeking feedback. All responses were positive from sales staff and managers. Research ur indea. Protect yourself. Patent it. If I settled w the comment from Quirky that my idea was similar to a current product, I'd likely been undermined.

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John Curry 89
Pontiac, US
Aug 19, 2012 8:16 pm EDT

Thanks for all the good reading. My emotions are running off the scale when it comes to the TRUST factor, but here I sit all in a knot on what to do. I have no money, I am broke lost everything, but I have been sitting on 3 invention for a little while now and I am just getting older, so what the hell send 1 to EN and see how it goes, I can only blame myself, so good luck people I will keep you all informed...John Curry