Think the sky's the limit for your great idea?

Here's a "heads up": Invention promotion firms may promise more than they can deliver. Watch for:

• Upfront Fees. Reputable invention promotion firms don't charge high fees in advance for their services.

• Rave Reviews. Scam artists tell everyone with an idea that it's a sure-fire money-maker. The evaluations are flattering, but hardly ever realistic.

• Pushy Promoters. Just because an idea is "patentable" doesn't mean it's going to make you $. Think before you invest in the patent process.

• Pie in the Sky Expectations. Your family and friends may love your idea, but that doesn't guarantee that everyone else will. More than 99 percent of new ideas and products never make any money for their inventors.

Want More Information?

Check out these FTC Publications:

• Consumer Alert! Spotting Sweet-Sounding Promises of Fraudulent Invention Promotion Firms
• Invention Promotion Firms

Invention Promotion Firm Resources:

• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
• Contact the National Congress of Inventor Organizations (NCIO) toll-free at 1-888-695-4455
• United Inventors Association