Patently oblivious?

By NATASHA MUKTARSINGH
Updated:

 

INVENTORS struggling to raise cash to market their designs, or worrying about patent problems, are to get a boost from a new foundation set up by Trevor Baylis.

Baylis, creator of the windup radio and a range of products to help the disabled, wants their work to be properly protected. The Trevor Baylis Foundation will also help inventors get ideas to market.

'They don't always know how to organise a patent, or how to get backing from banks,' he says. 'There are also countless cases of them being conned out of ideas by crooks.'

Now inventors can apply to the foundation for help to make the most of their ideas. An expert will offer advice on feasibility, or how to improve their chances of success.

The foundation will also help inventors to file for patents. Baylis says: 'There is no point having an invention if you cannot afford to go through the process.

'The Patent Office advises using experts and lawyers, but if someone steals an idea, most inventors can't afford to take them to court. There will be a small fee for the foundation's services, but inventors will have advice and all the necessary experts.'

It will also offer a choice of funding from vetted finance providers such as venture capitalists.

David Bunting, a fellow founding member, says: 'With support from Government agencies, we can recommend the services of reputable companies to make sure inventors get a decent service.'

Bunting, a former UK head of France Telecom, runs his own internet software company, Links for Business. He supports the foundation voluntarily. He says: 'Raising the profile of inventions is important and we want to encourage more people to take it seriously.'

The foundation hopes to publicly auction inventors' patented ideas to big firms. 'This means more than just selling on ideas,' says Baylis. 'Because it will be public, we hope to influence the Government, the education system and help children to think about inventing.'

The foundation is collecting sponsorships from organisations ranging from engineering institutions to Government agencies.

• For more information, visit www.thetbf.org.

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