Case Studies...
Below are our articles on the subject of Case Studies. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Accidental Inventions
By keeping an open mind, an inventor who has an accident at a work desk or in a laboratory may hit upon a great invention....
Accounting Practices
This article looks at what make up the most common accounting practices and how you - as a sole trader or limited company - can use them to help your business...
All About Foreign Licensing
Foreign licensing is something you may have to deal with if your invention sells well; here are some things you should know...
All About Share Options Schemes
This article looks at share options and how they can benefit staff and their family members and also raise much needed capital for your business...
Ancient Inventions in Use Today
There are a number of ancient inventions in use today. These include the wheel, rope and the water-carrying system designed by Archimedes....
Animals That Have Inspired Inventions
Inventors have drawn inspiration from animals for many years. Creatures such as cheetahs, sharks and whales have played a part in solving problems and developing products....
Applying for a Loan
Loans from high street banks are a common route for inventors to raise finance to take their inventions further, but soft loans obtained through government initiatives are also worth investigating....
Applying for a Patent
Applying for a patent is a fundamental step for most inventors, and it’s worthwhile understanding the application process before diving in....
Are Inventors Responsible For Product Liability?
Some inventors are concerned whether or not they are liable for compensation claims arising from injury or damage caused by their inventions....
Balance Sheets
Using a balance sheet to record the progress of your invention as a business can be a good way to keep tabs on your finances, as well as helping your understanding of business methods....
Becoming an Entrepreneur
Transforming yourself from inventor to entrepreneur is the crucial part of turning your invention into a business, and you may need to change the way you think as well as act....
Break Even Analysis
The point at which your invention business will break even is something which needs to be taken into account when planning how you’ll proceed taking your ideas further - it helps establish a 'minimum ...
Can I Patent My Business?
Can I Patent My Business...
Capital Equipment and Supply List
Depending on the nature of your invention, you may need workshop equipment to produce prototypes. Deciding what you need to buy, and what you can rent or have done externally, is an important part of ...
Carrying Out a Commercial Assessment on Your Invention
An assessment of your invention's viability can save you wasting time and money and help direct your efforts in the best direction to make the most of the invention’s potential....
Conflicts of Interest
Depending on the genesis and context of your invention and the companies or institutions which support, employ or fund you, various conflicts of interest may arise, and it's important to be aware of t...
Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988
This article looks at the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988...
Counteracting Patent Infringement
This article looks at ways in which to counteract potential and proven patent infringement whilst resorting to legal proceedings as a last resort...
Covering the Cost of Exporting Your Product
This article looks at how - as a newly set up business with a new product - you can cover the cost of exporting to other countries...
Design Patents
Inventions often have a distinctive or radical appearance, which can be an important part of their marketing and appeal to potential customers. This article looks at design rights and registering your...
Experimentation
Much of the work of a 'garden shed' inventor is in experimenting, trying out different methods to make the invention function as intended. The equipment need not be expensive, and the sense of achieve...
Fashion Inventions That Failed
Fashion designers sometimes produce outlandish ideas that fail to capture the public's interest. The designs have involved items such as armour, slippers, jewellery, socks and umbrellas....
Finding a Manufacturer
Manufacturing an invention is a process that requires careful thought. Many people use Chinese factories, but need to ensure that any contract has an element of flexibility....
Five Business Strategies for Your Invention
A successful inventor needs a business strategy. This should cover areas such as online marketing, effective communication and customer focus....
Floating Your Company on the Stock Market
How to float your company on the stock exchange...
Food-related Inventions
Those people who have invented food-related products have changed the way we eat and live with such things as the refrigerator, can and microwave....
From Idea to Reality: an Inventor's Checklist
Turning an invention from an idea to a finished product is a lengthy process. This checklist helps inventors keep the process on track....
Funding your Business - Small Business Loans
If you have a small business and need financing what do you do? We look at Small Business Loans (SBLs) and offer some advice...
Getting Help From a Business Mentor
Inventing can be a lonely and difficult business. A business mentor can give much-needed practical advice and help that saves time and resolves problems....
Government Programs
The DTI's Grants for Research & Development, administered through the regional development agencies, are a good source of matched early-stage funding for developing an invention into a successful busi...
Grim Inventions: Devices for Capital Punishment
Some countries have encouraged the invention of devices to carry out death sentences. The electric chair, guillotine and gas chambers have been three of the means of capital punishment....
Help from the Boots Centre for Innovation
The Boots Centre for Innovation can give inventors the help they need to bring their product-related ideas about health and well-being to the marketplace....
How Can I Prevent a Customer Patenting Our Product?
Some inventors worry that a rival may copy a product before it receives a full patent. Patent pending status, however, carries a measure of legal protection....
How Do I Raise Money for an Invention?
Grants, loans and venture capital are all methods of helping develop an invention into a viable business, and in each case it's important to see your invention in these terms: the basis of a business....
How to Avoid an Invention Company Scam
Invention promotion companies often offer inventors an apparent 'dream ticket' to success. But be warned: if it's too good to be true, it probably is....
How to Do Your Own Preliminary Patent Search
A preliminary patent search can help in many ways when developing a new invention, and thanks to online search menthods, it’s easier than ever to do this yourself....
Improving Old Products
Improving existing products is a very common way for inventors to get started, and there are a number of advantages, as well as other issues to consider....
Income Tax Actions/Considerations
This article looks at why we pay Income Tax, how we pay it and what happens if we do not pay enough...
Intellectual Property Protection
This article looks at the ways in which you can protect your Intellectual Property from being exploited by other companies or manufacturers....
Inventing Board Games
Many people believe they have ideas for great board games. But to increase the chances of success, inventors must put in a lot of work....
Inventing Computer Games: A Case Study
The computer games market is a substantial business, and still growing. This article provides insights into the business for computer-literate inventors....
Inventing Eco-friendly Devices
Demand for eco-friendly devices is growing fast. Inventors who "think green" and try to reduce pollution can experience significant success....
Inventing for Charity: A Case Study
Some charities are keen to hear about inventions that can benefit the people they represent. This is one inventor's experience....
Inventing Medical Devices
Innovative medical devices are vital for patient treatment and care. Health professionals are always on the lookout for inventions that help them do their jobs as well as possible....
Inventing Scents
Despite the popularity of perfumes, there are obstacles to inventing scents. A knowledge of chemistry and synthetic materials, and the ability to market a product may help....
Inventing Toys
An inventor with an idea for a toy should use a number of helpful techniques: study the toys in a toyshop; get children involved; and never give up....
Invention Promoters
Using external invention promoters is rarely the best course for a new inventor: the success rate is very low, and the only guarantee is high fees. It's entirely possible to do your own promotion, as ...
Inventions from the Space Age
The space age and the work of agencies such as NASA have led to inventions we now take for granted. Among these are cordless tools and smoke detectors....
Inventions That Changed Sport
Some inventions have radically changed the nature of sport. Games such as golf and billiards have benefitted from inventors' innovative ideas....
Inventions That Never Caught On
There are many ideas that never caught on. Among them are robots with odd functions; an unusual device to catch dogs; an anti-theft bag; and a bizarre TV....
Inventions That Transformed Office Life
There have been a number of inventions that have transformed office life. Among them are the stapler, calculators, typewriters and the paper clip....
Inventions That Vanished Then Reappeared
History shows that inventions sometimes vanish and reappear hundreds of years later. Such inventions include the steam engine, the crankshaft, and a flying machine....
Inventors' Networks and Counselling
There are various networks and counselling services for inventors in the UK. Through meetings and one-to-one advice, these aim to give inventors the support they sometimes need....
Investor Venture Capital
For an invention which has already progressed to being a business, securing venture capital investment is a common way to fund expansion and continued development....
Limited Company Status
This article looks at the difference between limited company status, sole traders and partnerships...
Loan Applications For Your Invention
Thinking about and presenting your invention as part of a new business, is important to securing a favourable loan, and in the process is crucial to transforming you from an inventor into an entrepren...
Maintaining an Agreed Overdraft
This article looks at how to maintain an agreed overdraft and what steps a small business or sole trader can take to safeguard themselves from large debts if a business fails...
Make Sure Your Invention is Safe
The safety of your invention is paramount. The law, for instance, expects new products to meet certain conditions. Fortunately, there is plenty of advice available....
Making Ends Meet: How to Survive Your First Year in Business?
How do you make it through your first year in business? What areas of the business should you concentrate on? Here we offer practical advice on how to keep your business on track through that tentat...
Making The Most of Public Relations To Market Your Invention
This article looks at Public Realtions (PR) and discusses what it can do for businesses or sole traders wishing to publicise their services or products...
Marketing Checklist: Will it Sell?
Marketing techniques can determine the success of a new invention. Use this checklist, therefore, to stay abreast of sales strategies and to help you have your say....
Marketing Your Product Through Multi-Media Advertising
This article looks at multi-media advertising and the many different types of advertising that fall under its banner...
My Idea Uses Existing Devices: How Do I Develop It Further?
This article provides some answers to an inventor who is experiencing difficulty developing a new invention. Technical issues and existing devices can pose troublesome problems....
New Product Income Projections
Depending on how you go about turning your invention into a business, your income projections can be rather simple or very complex. This article takes a brief look at the issues involved....
Non-Disclosure Agreements
Non-disclosure agreements should be part of all inventors' negotiations with potential manufacturers, business partners, investors and suppliers: this article looks at some of the issues involved....
Obtaining Plant Patents When Discovering New Varieties of Plant
Innovation in plant breeding, and the creation of new varieties, are interesting aspects of the intellectual property system, often overlooked by overviews of 'invention'....
Overseas Trading
This article looks at how best to trade overseas and what you should ideally be looking for in an overseas business partner...
Patent Examining Procedure
Understanding the procedure for patent application and examination is important for inventors, both in terms of planning the next steps, and in drafting the application in the first place....
Patent Marks and Patent Pending
This article looks at patent marks and patent pending and examines when you should use the phrase patent pending on your invention...
Patent Search
An introduction to searching for patents online using the European Patent Office website, and how understanding patents can help inventors to make the most of their ideas....
Presenting the Product
Learning to present your invention as a product, part of a credible business, will help you become more confident in yourself as well as impriving your invention's chances of success....
Product Definition and Specifications
Putting together a specification for your invention allows you to see it as a product, in the context of the market. The PDS method takes the inventor through the important aspects to address along th...
Product Development Stages
Most inventions go through similar stages in their development from idea to product, even if the details can vary significantly....
Product Placement
This article looks at product placement - what it is, what it does - and how you or your company can participate...
Profit and Loss
This article looks at Profit and Loss and explains briefly what it is and why it is important to your business...
Proving You Were First to Invent
While the UK patent system is based on 'first to file' rather than 'first to invent', keeping a notebook or logbook can still be useful for an inventor. This article also looks at the misconception of...
Remarkable Inventions: The Mobile Phone
The mobile phone is one of the world's most successful inventions. Thanks to technology, widespread networks and apps, 70% of people subscribe to a mobile phone service....
Researching The Market
Understanding the market is an essential part of turning your invention into a successful business - and with some research you can learn a lot more about who your customers will be, and why....
Royalty Income Stream
Receiving a regular large royalty cheque is many inventors' dream, but there are a number of issues to consider when looking to licensing your invention, and options other than straight licensing are ...
Securing a Licensing Agreement For Your Invention
Licensing your invention to a manufacturer or retailer is a common route to market for inventors. This article looks at some of the different forms a licensing agreement can take....
Securing Funds against Assets
This article looks at ways to secure funds for your business against assets the business already owns....
Sole Trading
This article looks at sole trading and the differences between being a sole trader and a limited company...
Student Programmes and Young Inventors
Studying design and engineering can be an excellent way for a young inventor to gain expertise and a background which will make independent invention and new product development easier....
Submitting Inventions to Competitions
Submitting an invention to competitions is a great way to achieve funding and publicity. There are organisations around the world looking for new product ideas....
Tax Returns & VAT Inspections
This article looks at Tax Returns and the subsequent VAT inspections which may occur if there are what Her Majesty's revenue and customs deem to be inaccuracies...
Test Your Knowledge of Inventions: Quiz
Everywhere we look, there are inventions that benefit our lives. Test and rate your knowledge of some of the most popular....
The Best Inventions of the Next Few Years
In the near future, inventors will produce a range of outstanding ideas. Some of these that relate to areas such as medicine, biofuels and batteries are already well advanced....
The Importance of Company Incorporation When Setting Up a Limited Company
This article looks at how to register your company as a limited company...
The Invention Process-Gaining Inspiration & Utilising It
The process of inventing can be triggered in a number of ways, from frustration with everyday tasks to specialist professional knowledge, and even combining features of existing products. This article...
The Top Five Garden Inventions
Certain inventions are responsible for the way a homeowner creates and manages a garden. Ponds, greenhouses and the garden shed are among the most popular....
The Top Ten Female Inventors
There are many female inventors that could be included in any list of the top ten. They have invented a wide range of commonly-used devices....
The Top Ten Greatest Inventions
Among the greatest leaps of progress in human history are a number of advances by individual inventors, alongside those developed by teams or corporations. This article looks briefly at some significa...
The Top Ten Greatest Inventors
Ten entrepreneurial inventors from the UK and US are profiled, with brief details of their most significant work....
Time Travel: An Inventor’s Fantasy?
Thanks to Einstein's theories, the concept of time travel using a black hole or wormhole catches the imagination. Furthermore, the persistence of inventors may mean time travel eventually becomes poss...
Tips on Testing Your Invention Ideas
An inventor can judge if an idea for an invention is likely to be a success by testing it in various ways....
Trade Marking a Name For Your Invention
This article looks at the reasons for trademarking a name and also explores how to go about doing so...
Trademarks
A distinctive name and identity for your invention can help market its unique benefits and set it apart from the competition. This article looks at what trademarks are, and how to apply for one....
Types of Grants Available
There are a number of grants available to help inventors turn their innovations into businesses. This article looks at the most significant of these, the DTI's R & D grants, and also some alternatives...
Understanding Copyrights as a Budding Inventor
A basic understanding of copyright is worthwhile for inventors, since whilst it doesn't cover inventions, copyright plays an important part in the creation and use of work such as brochures, diagrams,...
Understanding Patent Rules as a Budding Inventor
The patent system is complicated, but the rules arise from the implications and interpretations of a few criteria, which, on the face of it, seem fairly simple....
Using a Business Angel
Business angels may expect a high return on their investments, but inventors who use them can have the double benefit of funding and expert advice....
Value of a Product Evaluation
An important phase in making the progress from inventor to entrepreneur is to understand your invention as a product, part of a market. Evaluating the value of your invention as a product, by assessin...
Visiting Trade Fairs with Your Invention
Planning to visit a trade fair? Here's some things you should know....
What is an Intellectual Property?
This article looks at what defines an intellectual property and what steps you can take to register your intellectual property to safeguard it from theft or misuse...
What is Business Banking?
This article looks at business banking and how it can be useful to your company...
What Makes Even The Simplest Idea Sell?
An idea doesn't have to be complex to be successful. In fact, inventors who come up with simple ideas have distinct advantages they can use....
What the Design Council Can Do for You
The Design Council is as much a resource for inventors as designers. It can help inventors turn innovative ideas into practical products....
When Should You Patent?
Invention is rarely a simple or linear process, and knowing when to file a patent is to a large extent a compromise between the forces affecting your progression from inventor to entrepreneur....
Yearly Finances and Dividends in Business
This article looks at how the yearly finances are measured against sales and also how year end accounts are put together; the article also looks at dividends for employees at the end of the financial ...