Inventing for dummies / by Pamela Riddle Bird ; foreword by Forrest M. Bird.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [337]-342) and index.

Part I: Making your idea yours -- The innovation process -- Patent basics -- Conducting a patent search -- Applying for and receiving your patent -- Maintaining and defending your patent -- Part II: Securing other intellectual property -- Trademarks and trade secrets -- Stopping copycats with a copyright -- Mum's the word: keeping it confidential -- Part III: Developing your idea -- Prototyping: making it work -- Hiring helpers and working with work-for-hire agreements -- Evaluating your invention's potential -- Looking at the production process -- Part IV: Commercializing your invention -- Developing a business plan -- Finding Funding -- Keeping control with your own business -- Partnering and manufacturing arrangements -- Preparing to take your invention to market -- Marketing your product -- Advertising your product -- Licensing your product -- Negotiating a license -- Part V: The part of yens -- Ten key contacts -- Ten inventions (and inventors) that changed the world -- Ten inventors to emulate.