When attending a trade show, United Patent Research (UPR) brings all of its products from multiple categories because there are times when companies will request products that are not in the category one would normally associate with them. In February, UPR attended a large toy show in New York City and met a major toy manufacturer based in Hong Kong. Since then, that company has decided to pass on UPR’s toy products but has been extremely interested in some of UPR’s hardware products. Two products that received interest are:

Screw-Guide (Roger M.)

Easy Caulking Gun (Ken S.)

Appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreements were signed at the trade show. Therefore, once the product information has been submitted, Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, will be in a position to start immediate negotiations.

The Add A Vent Window System, developed by United Patent Research (UPR) client Thomas H., has been submitted to a North American manufacturer located on the East Coast for review. Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, sent this interested party a Confidential Disclosure Agreement which was promptly signed by a responsible representative. An information package containing details about the Add A Vent Window System was submitted to the manufacturer’s Engineering Department for review.
The Add A Vent Window System is a unique car/truck accessory which allows effective air circulation in a vehicle without draining power from the motor or battery. This novel vent easily attaches to any vehicle window which opens and closes vertically. The innovative adjustment system permits the user to quickly and easily control air flow in the vehicle.

On Saturday, March 18, 2017, United Patent Research (UPR) will be attending the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. It is anticipated that there will be over 62,000 business professionals in attendance at this tradeshow meeting with vendors that host a wide variety of product categories. UPR is prepared to meet with many of these companies since UPR already has pre-non disclosure agreements in place. UPR met with many of these companies in the past and will be meeting with them again in order to present new products that have recently achieved patent pending status.

Some of the product categories are: As Seen on TV, Cook + Bakeware, Tabletop, Kitchen Essentials, Accents, Bath and Shower Accessories, Cleaning and Hardware, Home Organization, Pet Supplies, etc.

UPR has a large selection of inventions that they will bring with them to present to new companies attending the show. UPR is looking forward to fostering new relationships so that both newer and older clients can receive exposure at this event. UPR will be following up with Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, on possible licensing agreements and contract extensions after the event.

As noted in a recent blog, a company specializing in innovative app design has shown initial interest in the Selfie Karaoke app conceived by United Patent Research (UPR) client Theodore B. After the software company signed an appropriate confidential disclosure agreement, Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, provided them with additional information about this unique app. Selfie Karaoke is an innovative app for a smart phone which allows the user to easily make a recording of the user singing along with a favorite song. The Selfie Karaoke app utilizes songs recorded or downloaded on the smart phone along with the video recording capacity of the smart phone. It should be noted that the inventor has developed a truly artistic app icon design for this app.

After receiving this additional information from Universal Licensing, the software company sent an email to Universal Licensing stating that they will carefully review this information and communicate their findings to Universal Licensing. Universal Licensing will keep the inventor apprised of any communication they receive from this company and provide the inventor with advice as needed.

United Patent Research (UPR) has been working with a major North American manufacturer that has its products in over 40 major retailers such as Sears, True Value, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Target.  UPR will be meeting with this company at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago this month.  They specialize in kitchen appliances and accessories.  Thirty-one of our clients have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements with this company and their products are in the process of being reviewed now.  Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of United Patent Research, is poised to start negotiations on any of the 31 inventions that receive interest.  We should know more after UPR’s meeting at the International Home & Housewares Show.  We also anticipate there will be more products that will be presented to this major manufacturer in the near future.

Patty’s Magic Window Cleaner, invented by United Patent Research (UPR) clients Allen C. and Patricia S., has received initial manufacturer interest from the Tiger Accessory Group which has an interest in automotive detailing products. As the Tiger Accessory Group signed an appropriate confidentiality agreement, UPR was able to provide them details about this truck cleaning device.

Patty’s Magic Window Cleaner is a unique tool especially designed to clean truck windows, including the windows of large, interstate tractor trailers. This device is able to easily clean the hard to reach areas of truck windows that are difficult to clean using conventional window cleaning tools. This window cleaning tool is rugged, reliable, and easy to use. The representative of the Tiger Accessory Group, the Manager of Sourcing/New Product Development, said that he was impressed enough with Patty’s Magic Window Cleaner to present it at the upcoming New Product Development Group meeting.

Platinum Global Sourcing, Inc. has shown initial interest in a unique elf doll created by United Patent Research (UPR) client Lynn A. After receiving basic information about the doll, this company signed a proper confidentiality agreement promising to guard all information about the invention in confidence. Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, then proceeded to provide additional information about the Granny Elf. This unique doll is designed to help grandparents bond with their grandchildren. Featuring an older appearance than other elf dolls, the Granny Elf is a perfect doll/toy to entertain grandchildren. The inventor has spent many enjoyable hours entertaining her grandchildren using her Granny Elf doll.

A company specializing in innovative app design has shown initial interest in the Selfie Karaoke app conceived by United Patent Research (UPR) client Theodore B.  After App Maisters, Inc. signed an appropriate confidential disclosure agreement, Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, provided them with additional information about this unique app.  Selfie Karaoke is an innovative app for a smart phone which allows the user to easily make a recording of the user singing along with a favorite song.  The Selfie Karaoke app utilizes songs recorded or downloaded on the smart phone along with the video recording capacity of the smart phone.  It should be noted that the inventor has developed a truly artistic app icon design for this app.

This weekend the President of United Patent Research (UPR), Mr. Patrick Ralston, attended a major trade show on behalf of UPR clients. The Toy Fair 2017 was held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, New York from February 18–21, 2017. This premier toy product show featured booths from major toy manufactures from around the world.

One of the major successes of UPR’s attendance at this tradeshow was that three companies signed general non-disclosure agreements with UPR. A general non-disclosure agreement is a signed document in which a company promises not to utilize or disclose any invention information provided to it by UPR. This safeguards the intellectual property rights of UPR clients.

At the tradeshow Mr. Ralston made many meaningful contacts with representatives of several major companies. Mr. Ralston met twice with the Vice President of New Brand Development of Razor USA, a major toy company. This company representative said that he is looking forward to fostering a mutually advantageous relationship with UPR. He discussed having a meeting next week to narrow down which products the company may be interested in licensing.

Mr. Ralston also met with the Marketing Director at Cobra Toys. This company is currently in the process of completing the appropriate confidentiality agreements which are needed before UPR provides the company with detailed information about our clients’ inventions.

At the Tomy International booth Mr. Ralston met with the Design Manager. Currently Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, is reviewing the non-disclosure agreements submitted by Tomy International. Once the proper non-disclosure agreements are in place discussions and licensing negotiations can commence. While at the AmEurop booth Mr. Ralston met with the Product Development Manager and Managing Partner. Another promising meeting occurred with the representative from Zuru which has offices in 6 countries. Mr. Ralston is looking forward to starting presentations with the President and Product Manager of Zuru early next week.

Finally, two significant meetings were held with Gund and Toys R Us. The Gund representative said that Gund is looking forward to meeting with UPR to review toy products that are available for licensing. Regarding Toys R Us, Mr. Ralston held a private meeting with Associate Buyer Mike Melo in the American Express lounge during which Mr. Melo reviewed UPR products for possible licensing agreements. UPR follow up will occur in the next several weeks.

On the fun side, Mr. Ralston was able to meet superhero Batman at the show who “guarded” the show from any trouble. All together, the Toy Fair 2017 was a great success. As can be seen from the above partial presentation of UPR’s activities at the tradeshow, there is a lot of hard work and targeting of attention that is needed for a meaningful representation of new invention concepts. UPR will continue to work hard for our clients at the tradeshows we will be attending in the upcoming months.

United Patent Research (UPR) is happy to report that a major North American manufacturer has shown initial interest in ten practical inventions conceived by inventors working with UPR. The interested company has signed a general non-disclosure agreement with Universal Licensing, the licensing affiliate of UPR, promising to guard any invention information in strict confidence. Eight of the new ideas under review deal with ladder related inventions.

The other two inventions are innovative construction aids. The Worthy Scribe, invented by UPR client Patrick C., is a construction tool allowing the user to easily and accurately transfer to a given surface an exact shape to be cut out. The unique design permits the user to work with horizontal or vertical services and use a variety of marking pens and pencils. The device is especially useful for carpenters, tile installers, and granite fabricators. The other invention, Shoulder It, was invented by UPR client Justin M. Shoulder It is a unique construction site accessory designed to make the carrying of wooden planks convenient and relatively pain free. Shoulder It fits on the user’s shoulder and cushions the weight of the wooden planks being carried as well as properly positioning the planks. As Shoulder It is adjustable and composed of lightweight materials, it is a valuable product for anyone carrying items on the shoulder.

It should be noted that the interested manufacturer was contacted by UPR’s President, Mr. Patrick Ralston, at the Chicago International Home & Housewares Show held this March. After the tradeshow, Mr. Ralston maintained telephone and email contact with the company in an effort to acquaint the company with the many practical inventions conceived by UPR clients. Mr. Ralston is anticipating the interested manufacturer will complete the review of the UPR inventions by the middle of January, 2017.