Ever stared at a patent and thought… “What am I even reading?”

Join me and Raymond Van Dyke, Intellectual Property Attorney, as we walk you through every part of a patent in plain English — piece by piece.

What You'll Learn:
• Utility patents vs design patents — what's the difference and which do you need?
• How to decode your claims — the most critical part of your patent • What all those reference numbers actually mean in your drawings
• The real purpose of your patent summary and specification
• How to spot the strong parts and weak spots in your patent
• What examiners are looking for when they review your application

Whether you're about to file or you already have a patent, this session gives you the power to understand your intellectual property like a pro.

Perfect for inventors preparing to file, patent holders who want to actually read their own patent, and anyone ready to stop feeling confused by legal jargon. 

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/t2lQg7feAMs

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Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

You’ve got a brilliant invention, innovative service, or startup idea—but have you thought about protecting your brand name, logo, product design, or slogan? That’s where trademarks come in—and most people don’t realize how powerful they are until it’s too late. In this episode, host Brian Fried sits down with Jason Lott, Managing Attorney for Trademarks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to break down everything you need to know about trademarks—no legal jargon, just clear, actionable guidance. Topics covered include:
✅ What trademarks actually protect—names, logos, slogans, colors, sounds, product shapes, and more
✅ The best timing to file for trademark protection
✅ A simplified, step-by-step registration process from someone who’s reviewed thousands of applications
✅ How trademarks build real business value and create assets you can leverage
✅ Trademarks vs. Copyrights vs. Patents—clearing up the confusion once and for all


With over 24 years of experience at the USPTO, Jason helps inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups understand how to protect what they’re building, turning complex legal topics into strategies you can actually use. This episode is perfect if you:

• Are naming a business, product, or service and want to do it right
• Are building something unique that needs protection
• Have launched but haven’t secured your trademark yet
• Want clarity on what trademarks cover and how they work
• Want to build valuable intellectual property assets that increase your company’s worth

Your intellectual property is an asset. Learn how to protect it and make it work for you.

Watch the episode here: https://youtube.com/live/oxqLw65ugT8

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Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

Invention expert and host Brian Fried hosted an inspiring National Inventor Club livestream featuring renowned entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, David Meltzer.

This session was created for inventors who were just about to start their journey, as well as those who had already started and found themselves stuck along the way. The discussion served as a powerful “start button” for 2026—focused on clarity, momentum, and the mindset needed to win. Here’s what was covered:

• New Year's Resolutions That Actually Work – Setting goals you'll execute, not just dream about
• The Execution Game – Working through your plans and checking progress along the way
• Breaking Through When You're Stuck – Strategies to overcome frustration and keep moving forward
• Setting Timelines and Expectations – Stop waiting for people and start creating accountability with everyone you work with
• Mindset Mastery – Building the mental game that separates success from struggle
• Napoleon Hill Wisdom – Timeless lessons from Think and Grow Rich applied to your inventor journey

David Meltzer is the former CEO of the Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Agency (the inspiration for Jerry Maguire) and Executive Producer of Apple TV’s 2 Minute Drill and Entrepreneur’s #1 digital show, Elevator Pitch. His mission is to empower over one billion people to be happy—and he delivered value in every conversation.

Watch the episode here: https://youtube.com/live/lkL1pT96a-Y?feature=share

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Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

National Inventor Club – Fireside Chat with Steve Greenspon

The National Inventor Club sits down with entrepreneur and inventor Steve Greenspon, former CEO of Honey-Can-Do International. Steve built a consumer goods company from the ground up, scaling it to over $110 million before successfully exiting.

With 35 patents and decades of experience in product development, licensing, manufacturing, and retail distribution, Steve offers a rare, full-picture perspective—both as an inventor and as a business leader.

In this episode, Steve shares insights on:

• What licensees look for when inventors pitch products
• How licensing deals actually work (royalties, terms, structure)
• Building manufacturing partnerships and working with factories
• Distribution strategies: buyers, reps, catalogs, and major retailers
• Scaling a consumer goods brand to 9 figures
• What the exit process really looks like and key lessons learned

Whether you're an inventor developing your first idea, a startup founder growing your product line, or an entrepreneur preparing for a future exit, this conversation is packed with real-world, actionable advice from someone who has done it all.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Zi3K76lvgGI

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

The National Inventor Club hosted an exclusive Amazon Fireside Chat featuring two Amazon insiders who shared insider strategies on how inventors, entrepreneurs, and brand builders can succeed on the world’s largest marketplace. Whether you’re still sketching ideas, holding onto a prototype, ready to launch but unsure where to start, or already selling and looking to scale—this highly requested session gave inventors the fundamentals needed to build and grow on Amazon.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• How to know if Amazon is the right platform for your invention or product
• When and how to sign up for a seller account
• The different account types and which best fit your business
• What Amazon offers new sellers and ongoing support options
• Step-by-step guidance on listing your first product
• Resources and tools that most sellers don’t know exist
• Tips for setting yourself up for success from day one

With insider advice from Amazon experts, this session equipped inventors with the knowledge to confidently bring their products to Amazon and grow their business.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/BKV5kPSmmg4?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

In this National Inventor Club livestream, we welcomed leaders from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to share valuable insights that go far beyond filing patents and trademarks. Many inventors don’t realize that the USPTO offers training programs, educational resources, and community outreach initiatives designed to help innovators succeed. During this session, attendees got an inside look at how the USPTO is expanding support for inventors and entrepreneurs nationwide.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• USPTO programs and resources most inventors never hear about
• What the agency’s “Return to Basics” focus means for creators
• How hiring more staff will improve services and streamline processes
• The role of regional offices in community outreach
• Finding the most valuable USPTO training events
• Tips for navigating the USPTO website to access hidden resources

This was a must-watch session for anyone looking to protect, develop, and scale their inventions with the support of the USPTO.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/QEVlw9hUgn4?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

The National Inventor Club welcomed Paul Fitzpatrick, Associate Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, for an exclusive livestream packed with resources and strategies to help inventors and entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Paul shared how the SBA supports innovation, from funding options and loans to grants, mentorship, and step-by-step guidance for turning ideas into profitable businesses.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• What the SBA is and how it accelerates entrepreneurial growth
• Funding opportunities available for inventors and startups
• How to access SBA resources and support programs
• Practical steps to transform an idea into a business
• Actionable strategies you can apply right away

🎯 Why Listen?

• Free expert guidance directly from SBA leadership
• Actionable advice tailored to inventors and startups
• Insights on funding and business development resources
• Inspiration and real steps to move your invention forward

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/Hi0WfTjW4ao?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

In this National Inventor Club livestream, we welcomed A.J. Flick, Senior Editor of Gourmet News and Kitchenware News & Housewares Review, who shared insider knowledge on how inventors can get their products noticed by editors and featured in major publications. A.J. drew from her extensive experience covering the specialty food and kitchenware industries, revealing exactly what makes a product story stand out in today’s competitive marketplace.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• How to identify and approach the right editors for your industry
• Crafting compelling pitches that get noticed
• Communication strategies that lead to coverage
• What editors look for in a newsworthy story
• Understanding timelines and editorial calendars
• Leveraging trade show coverage for maximum visibility
• Following industry trends to align your product with media interest

Her behind-the-scenes perspective gave inventors actionable strategies to gain visibility, credibility, and traction for their product launches.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/800VMa489MQ?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

In this National Inventor Club session, we were joined by a seasoned CPA expert who shared financial strategies that can save inventors and entrepreneurs thousands while pursuing their creative ventures. From tax write-offs to business structures, this information-packed session broke down how to maximize your resources and protect your bottom line as you build your invention or startup.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• When (and why) to form a business entity
• Choosing the right business structure for your invention
• What expenses—like trade shows, prototypes, and product development—may be deductible
• How to properly document your innovation journey for maximum tax benefits
• Practical tax-saving strategies tailored for inventors and entrepreneurs
• Live Q&A insights addressing real-world challenges

Whether you’re sketching your first prototype or preparing to scale nationally, these strategies can help turn financial uncertainty into sustainable innovation.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/OMnu-wrZ0jU?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com

Your business name, logo, slogan, or product design could be worth protecting—and trademarks are the key to safeguarding them. In this National Inventor Club session, we were joined by Christina Calloway, Attorney for Trademarks Customer Outreach at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), for an essential Trademark Boot Camp. Christina shared expert guidance on how inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners can build lasting brand value by protecting their intellectual property before it’s too late.

💡 Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• Trademark fundamentals every entrepreneur should know
• How and when to file trademark applications
• Building a valuable intellectual property portfolio
• Real-world strategies for protecting brand identity
• USPTO resources available for inventors and startups

With years of experience as a former USPTO trademark examining attorney, Christina provided practical insights that help creators avoid costly mistakes and strengthen their brands.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/fYPfxnMrXeE?feature=share

-----------------------
Become a member today @ https://nationalinventorclub.com.

Unlock Your Invention's Potential with Inventor Smart! Inventor Smart Community - The Ultimate APP for Inventors to connect, collaborate, network, and drive invention ideas forward! Join social networking, participate in group chats, events, visit the library, and find the support you need! Download the Inventor Smart Community app on Google Play or Apple App Store or here http://inventorsmart.app Join us today!

Have a great invention idea?
Do you want to know if your idea will make you money?
If you're just getting started, need help with product development, engineering, prototyping, finding a product licensing agent, or with bringing your invention idea to reality manufacturing, schedule a call with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach @ https://brianfried.com