Jackson Inventors Network

Denise Sylvester, Regional Outreach Officer, USPTO

For May we are taking Intellectual Property to another level with “Resources for inventors, brief IP overview, and an overview of the patent process/ prior art.” Denise Sylvester is the Regional Outreach Officer for the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office located in Detroit, Michigan. Learn from an expert from the USPTO. Find out how to use the resources they have available. This is a rare opportunity to take advantage of the patent office coming to us!

Ms. Sylvester received a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School where she served as Class President, Law Review Senior Editor, and received the Certificate of Merit in several classes. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies from the George Washington University. In her free time, she serves as the Advocacy Director for Zonta International District 15.

Meeting Agenda:

Registration 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Program – 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Networking – 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Location:

Spring Arbor Jackson Campus

113 W. Michigan Ave

Jackson, MI 49201

April is Intellectual Property Month, and we are fortunate to have one of the best presenters, Jon Shackelford, presenting the topic: “IP Protection Tips for the Cost-Conscious Inventor”Are you an inventor operating on a tight budget? What are some smart ways to stretch your dollars in the area of patents and trademarks that will not put your valuable legal rights at risk?

Veteran IP attorney Jon Shackelford from Endurance Law Group in Jackson has been helping individual inventors protect their creations for more than 30 years. He will share with our group some smart things inventors can do to save money on IP protection … and where not to cut corners. Come prepared with your IP questions. Bring a friend, or someone who also has an idea. Remember the Jackson Inventors Network is for everyone.

Meeting Agenda Location

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Registration Spring Arbor Jackson Campus

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Program 113 W. Michigan Ave

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Networking Jackson, MI 49201

For March Prototype and Testing month, Melissa Allen, co-owner of tinkrLAB in the Okemos Mall, will discuss how inventors and entrepreneurs can take advantage of tinkrLAB and other makerspaces. Allen is a state expert and leader for STEM with a passion for kids. She has developed tinkrLAB into a place where Smart Toys for Smart Kids meets classes and training meets makerspace. She has taken tinkrLAB from a concept to a growing business and into a state-wide brand. tinkrLAB has gained attention on a national level. Come hear Melissa Allen talk about how partnerships and community helped bring success.

Meeting Agenda Location

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Registration Spring Arbor Jackson Campus

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Program 113 W. Michigan Ave

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Networking Jackson, MI 49201

Directions:

From Cooper/Bus. 127: Turn West on W. Louis Glick

(before RR tracks) Go 2 lights to N. Mechanic turn Left South two blocks to Michigan Ave. turn right & park next to building come in the side door go to 2^nd floor

From E. Michigan Ave.: Turn North on N. Mechanic (3 lights past train station). Go 2 blocks to W. Michigan Ave. turn right East on Michigan Ave & park next to building come in the side door go to 2^nd floor

Handicap Accessible. Meeting room take elevator to 2^nd fl

Stuart Kail

This month our topic is “Finding Help, Where’s the Money,” featuring entrepreneur Stuart Kail, chief marketing officer of Jackson’s own social-networking startup, Pitch.me. Pitch.Me has raised more than $3 million in private equity and was recently one of the Top Five Trending Apps on Google Play Store. Stuart will show us how to take advantage of this app and offer ways this local Jackson business can help us as entrepreneurs and inventors get each of our projects going.

Stuart Kail has been the Director of Operations for a successful Jackson family business. He has launched two tech start-ups, consulted for a $20-million pizza franchise, and launched his own marketing agency. As the Chief Marketing Officer for Pitch.Me, he is helping connect entrepreneurs with private equity. Don’t miss this month’s meeting!

After the speaker, we will talk about some of your projects, then we will have EXPERT CORNERS where you can identify people with expertise and have sit down one-on-one time to get help.

Email a request for a Product Review and get expert help to get your idea going. We will give you advice on any problem you might have with your inventor/idea/project. Don’t miss out this is help you can’t get anywhere else!

Send your membership dues $45.00 keeps you in the inner circle of one of the most significant inventor groups in the country.

Meeting Agenda Location

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Registration Jackson Carnegie Library

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Program 244 W. Michigan Ave

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Networking Jackson, MI 49201

Bill Rayl

This month our official walk thru the process speaker series for 2017. We are moving into PROGRAM TOPIC: Finding a Manufacturer to Work with, featuring Bill Rayl, President of the Jackson Area Manufacturing Association will help us steer through the maze of finding the manufacturer that can work with you on your project/product. Bill is connected like no other. He has lead the Jackson Area Manufacturing Association to be the #1 manufacturing group in Michigan.

Bill Rayl is part of the Jackson Economic Development Corp, The Jackson Chamber, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and numerous other relevant government and community organizations.

After the speaker, we will talk about some of your projects, then we will have EXPERT CORNERS where you can identify people with expertise and have sit down one-on-one to get help.

If you haven’t been to a meeting for a while, email us with what you would like to hear. These meetings are for you, to help you get your idea out of the basement and moving to market. If we can answer your questions we all win!

Email a request for a Product Review and get expert help to get your idea going. We will give you advice on any problem you might have.

Meeting Agenda Location

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Registration Jackson Carnegie Library

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Program 244 W. Michigan Ave

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Networking Jackson, MI 49201

Michigan Inventors Coalition

The Jackson Inventors Network is offering admission the the Michigan Inventors Expo for both days for just $25.00. To get this price you must be a paid, active JIN member (paid more than active). Email John Hopkins at johndhopkins1@gmail.com and he will add you to the paid JIN attending list. This year’s Expo will take place Sept. 15-16, 2017, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

Join us for a day and a half of networking, pitches and education! The 5th Annual Michigan Inventors Expo will allow you to showcase your product, participate in the Spin, Pitch & Sell contest and takeaway helpful tips for further developing your invention.

New this year, join us September 15th, 2017 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM for our expert round tables, speakers and a networking reception!! Come back September 16th, 2017 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM to connect with our exhibitors and hear from more speakers!

AGENDA

Friday, Sept. 15^th

2:00 – 3:00 PM Event Kickoff & Speaker: Matt Jung – Comfort Research Topic: INNOVATE MI

3:00 – 4:30 PM Expert round tables – 3, 30 minute sessions

4:30 – 5:30 PM Spin, Pitch & Sell Preliminary Round

5:30 – 7:00 PM REI Networking Reception & Mixer

Saturday, Sept. 16^th

8:00 – 8:30 AM Check-in

8:30 – 9:00 AM Successful Inventors Panel

9:05 – 9:30 AM Speaker: Denise Sylvester – Regional Outreach Office, USPTO

9:30 – 10:00 AM Speaker: Karen Smoots – Inventor, Green Glove Dryer

10:05 – 10:30 AM Speaker: Ken Johnson – Inventor

Topic: Licensing your idea!

Bio: In 1979 Ken Johnson started a game manufacturing company in his parents’ basement producing games he invented. He experienced some success with his first games. His big success came in 1982 when Ken set out to design a new card game. Upon seeing the success of Uno, he wanted to design a card game that could achieve similar success. After just a couple of days sequestered in his apartment, he came up with the Phase 10 card game. His first customers included K-Mart and Meijer stores. In 1987 Ken licensed the manufacturing and distribution rights of Phase 10 and began receiving royalties from the worldwide sales. It is now produced by Mattel, is sold in over 30 countries, and is the 2nd best selling card game in the world. In the summer of 2012, Ken celebrated Phase 10’s 30th Anniversary!

10:35 – 11:00 AM Speaker: Mike Suman – Inventor

Topic: Should Your Idea Become a Business?

11:05 – 11:15 AM Speakers: Representatives from TinkrLab

11:15 – 11:35 AM Speakers: Representatives from Amazon Sales

Topic: Inventor’s Successes Online!

11: 40 AM – 12:15 PM Speaker: Jimmy Tomczak – Inventor/Author

Bio: Jimmy Tomczak lives to design, inspire and connect. As founder, inventor, and author, Jimmy helps doers do more. He’s launched multiple companies and was even selected to appear and taped for an episode of ABC’s hit TV show Shark Tank. His work is featured in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, CNN, and more. Jimmy is a Crain’s 20 in their 20s honoree and recently gave a TED talk entitled, “Living Your Best Life Now Starts Today.” He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and also completed the Program in Entrepreneurship.

12:30 – 2:00 PM Spin, Pitch & Sell – Finals

Q & A time about MI Inventors Groups

2:00 PM Event Wrap-up/Closing Remarks from Michigan Inventors Groups

EXPERT TABLES

1) Licensing – Ken Johnson- Licensing your product! Inventors Phase 10

2) Licensing – David Fedewa -Product Licensing Specialist -InventRight

3) Idea is it a Business – Mike Suman- 50+ Patents- Should Idea become A business?

4) Inventor Marketing advice – Karen Smoots-Inventor/Marketer– The Green Glove Dryer

5) USPTO Parent/Trademark info – Denise Sylvester – Patents-Trademarks Detroit USPTO Office

6) Patent Advice – Jake M. Ward – Registered Patent Attorney ESQ

7) “Grassroots” Business – Orville Crain- Retired from a successful “Grassroots” Business.

8) 10 steps to inventing – Marty Solvis- 10 steps to inventing! Booklet

9) Amazon Sales – Connie Larson- Amazon sales worked for VZ Hang..

10) Tinkelab – Chris & Melissa Allen- Young inventors Tinkelab

11) Planning/ Financials – Leandra Nisbet -Strategic Planning/ Financials

12) “Tradeshows Unik – Gary Crain- Unik sales/Direct sales, Tradeshows

13) As Seen On TV – Joe Finkler – Packaging/Marketing As Seen On TV

14) Library Resources – Mary Kordyban- Detroit Library- Great Resources

15) Marketing & Business Practice – Nicole Royer- Successful Marketing & Business Practises to Grow!

16) Making Conections – Casey Dubois- Selfie stand GR business- Making the right connections

17) MI Inventors Group – John Hopkins- 501 3 c Non-Profit Paperwork & Start up or find a MI Inventors Group

18) How to Win @ Pitch contest – Jordan Vanderham- How to Win @ Pitch contest!. Winners of over 6 contests

19) Buylocal Michigan – Duane Weed-Buylocal Michigan Storyteller- Video’s are a must for every business!

20) Running Businesses -Jimmy Tomczak – Inventor/Author #1 Book exploring the highs/lows of running Multiple Businesses.

21) Prototyping – Disher Design & Development – Getting your prototype

22) REI

23) SBA of Michigan – Ken Root – what the Small Business Association has to offer you to a small entrepreneur. With Matt Jung from Comfort Research – Big Joe Brand

Dale Moretz

Jackson entrepreneur, inventor and businessman R. Dale Moretz will speak at the July 25 Jackson Inventors Network meeting about how to keep inventing projects going. Moretz has 17 patents and many products in the market, as well as being a business leader. Come and get answers to your project questions.

Meeting Agenda

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Registration

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Program

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Networking

Location

Jackson Carnegie Library

244 W. Michigan Ave

Jackson, MI 49201

Directions:

From Cooper/Bus. 127: Turn West on W. Louis Glick (before RR tracks) Go 4 lights to Blackstone turn Left South two blocks to Michigan Ave. turn left & park
From E. Michigan Ave.: Turn North on Blackstone (5 lights past train station). Go 2 blocks to W. Michigan Ave. turn left East on Michigan Ave & park

Handicap Accessible. Meeting room in basement

This month we are doing something different. There will be no speaker! All entrepreneurs and inventors need sign up by return email to me to present their product at the meeting. You will have have 5 to 10 minutes for a quick product presentation or elevator speech. We are fortunate to have AMAZON Business representatives visiting our meeting. Bring your product and talk to the group about your project needs. The Amazon reps from the Detroit office may be able to help you take viable products to Amazon Business. This will be a great opportunity to get answers to your questions and to have help navigating through the challenges you have faced trying to get your product out to market.

To present you must email John Hopkins @ johndhopkins1@gmail.com. Anyone can present.

Meghan ONeill from Amazon Business will be at the meeting in an unofficial role but can answer questions as to how you can contact Amazon Business to possibly get your product listed on Amazon.

Jacob M. Ward listens to a question from the JIN inventors audience.

Tiffen, Ohio, patent law attorney Jacob M. Ward gave an in-depth presentation on the basics of patent search, patent law and other intellectual property issues, at the May 23, Jackson Inventors Network meeting at the Jackson District Library, Carnegie Branch.

UPDATE: Download a copy of Ward’s presentation here

Intellectual Property Law for Inventors

1 file(s) 741.38 KB

Download

Jacob Ward

This month our official walk thru the process speaker series for 2017. The topic is: Patently Good Ideas: Intellectual Property Law for Business and Entrepreneurs. This is an informative program on intellectual property, especially how it relates to DIY inventors and business entrepreneurs. The meeting will be May 23, 2017, at the Jackson District Library, Carnegie Branch.

Jacob M. Ward is a patent attorney from the Toledo Area, has presented to us before and active with the Michigan Inventors Coalition. He is a well-respected registered patent attorney, receiving his law degree from the University of Toledo.

Mr. Ward is the Founding Partner with the law firm of Ward Law Office LLC in Tiffin, Ohio. His practice consists of preparation and prosecution of patent applications in various technical arts, including the chemical, mechanical, and electrical arts. Mr. Ward also prepares legal opinions in relation to patentability, infringement, patent validity, and freedom to practice

After the speaker we will talk about some of your projects, then we will have EXPERT CORNERS where you can identify people with expertise and have sit down one on one time to get help.

Email a request for a Product Review and get expert help to get your idea going. We will give you advice on any problem you might have with your inventor/idea/project. Don’t miss out this is help you can’t get anywhere else!

Send your membership dues $45.00 keeps you in the inner circle of one of the most significant inventor groups in the country.

Directions to the library:

From Cooper/Bus. 127: Turn West on W. Louis Glick (before RR tracks) Go 4 lights to Blackstone turn Left South two blocks to Michigan Ave. turn left and park.

Carnegie Library

244 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201

Program

6:00 to 6:30 – Meet & Greet

6:30 to 7:30 – Program/Speaker

7:30 to 8:30 – Intense Networking

Cost:

Members*: $45 Annual membership
Non-Members: $5 at the door

Jackson Inventors Network

May 22 Meeting: Resources for inventors, brief IP overview, and an overview of the patent process

April 24 meeting notice: IP protection with Jon Shackelford

March 27th Meeting: Learning at the tinkrLAB

JIN Meeting notice: “Finding Help, Where’s the Money,” on Nov. 28

Oct. 24th JIN Meeting: Finding a Manufacturer to Work With

JIN at Michigan Inventors Expo17

July 25 JIN Meeting features Jackson Inventor Dale Moretz

June 27th JIN Meeting: Anyone can present!

Update: Jacob Ward discusses patents to Jackson Inventors

Intellectual Property Law for Inventors

May 23 JIN meeting topic: Patently Good Ideas: Intellectual Property Law for Business and Entrepreneurs

Cost:

JIN on Facebook

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