Published March 28, 2026
Most inventions are the result of products we envision to solve problems we encounter in life. If you tend to think of innovative ideas or improvements to existing products, you are an inventor.
If no one else has thought of your idea, you have not shared it publicly, and no one else has a patent on it, then you own the rights to your design, and you can sell those rights to collect royalties.
Your idea is legally your intellectual property (IP). It could be valuable if it is a novel, non-obvious concept that is both patentable and marketable.
You don’t necessarily have to build it yourself. You don’t even need to spend money to make a prototype. You can license your idea to a manufacturer who will develop and sell the product.
Before you do anything, it’s vital to understand that you will lose your rights to your idea if you divulge information about it to anyone without a non-disclosure agreement.
If you do that, you will no longer be able to get a patent on it, and no manufacturer will accept the idea for review either.
When you find a manufacturer willing to work with you, they will negotiate with retailers to market your product after they complete the development. But here's what you need to do first:
The objective is to find a manufacturer that will commercialize your idea. If they offer open innovation and determine that your idea is patentable and marketable, they will do the following at their expense:
You need to agree not to disclose your idea. When you submit your idea, you need to verify that you have not done that. If you have already told someone about it or shown it to anyone, you may lose your rights. Manufacturers can’t waste time on an idea that you already disclosed to the public.
Manufacturers who accept product ideas will provide you with instructions on how to submit your idea. Follow that precisely.
At the very least, it's necessary to explain how it works, its benefits, and why it's better than any competing product.
When I submitted my ideas, I did the following:
Many inventors kill their own deals because they don't appreciate how much the manufacturer is risking.
I often read posts in various social forums by innovators who expect that every company they pitch their product idea to should recognize its potential. They don’t take into account that these companies are inundated with inventors calling all the time.
For this reason, many companies don’t accept open innovation opportunities. Those who do, have special methods that need to be followed for you to present your idea. That’s either with an online form or other special contact methods.
Before you choose which companies to contact for a licensing deal, you should research the sales potential of that company. If their sales channels are too small, you might be wasting your time because you could be losing out on a decent royalty.
If you do get as far as negotiating, you need to accept an agreement that works for both of you. It needs to benefit the manufacturer more than it benefits you.
Remember that the manufacturer is risking everything. They have huge responsibilities. They need to make the product, then market it, sell it, support it, apply for and defend a patent.
What are your responsibilities? See my point? You are risking nothing.
For that matter, many companies don’t want to deal with you after finalizing a deal. They’ll send you your royalty checks, but they don’t want to hear from you.
That’s because a lot of inventors bother them with other ideas, or improvements they think of later. You can count on it that the manufacturer has already figured out some improvements. They have the staff and the resources to do that.
Some manufacturers will give you feedback if your product is not marketable. It's part of the business. Use it as a learning experience.
Here are a couple of examples of reasons why my ideas were turned down:
Existing Patent Was Found
In one case, I was informed that they found an existing patent that described my idea. I had missed that when I did my own patent search.
Too Large for Store Shelves at Price Point
Another time, they explained that a product I invented would be too large and take up too much retail space for the low selling price that it would require. For that reason, no retail store would be interested in it.
Bottom Line
You may feel upset if this happened to you, but the truth is that with that feedback you have the opportunity to either redesign it or move on to something else. Why waste time on something that may never sell?
If you're serious about getting your product on retail store shelves, then the ability to accept constructive criticism is crucial. I find that to be a gold mine.
Unfortunately, some inventors think their idea is the best thing since sliced bread, and they can’t understand why no one wants it. You need to be able to take constructive criticism.
If this bothers you, then it might be worth considering whether marketing your innovations is the right path for you.
Thomas Edison tried hundreds of ways to have a filament that would burn for an extended time before he made a light bulb that functioned well. He never really found the best solution, even though he patented his idea in 1879.
Patent laws only protect claims one makes. If you file for a patent and don’t include all the claims you can think of for your invention, then someone else can get a patent on additional claims that may improve upon the idea.
Edison had competition with his light bulb. In the same year, another innovator, Joseph Swan, filed a patent for a light bulb using a carbon-rod filament.
Swan’s light bulb was the first to be used in homes and public buildings, but it used a lot of electricity. Edison used bamboo filaments with high electrical resistance. That helped reduce the current needed to glow.
When a manufacturer is responsible for researching your idea, creating a prototype, accepting the cost of development and distribution, and handling the legal aspects of patent protection, you need to appreciate their efforts and do everything their way.
Accept the opportunity when you find a company to make your idea a reality. But remember to check out everything you can learn about them before you commit to an agreement.
In addition, confirm that they have connections with retailers since your goal is to have your product sold in retail stores.
Once you have all that in action, you'll be on your way to a rewarding experience as an innovator.
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