Contributor
Stephen Key is an award-winning inventor, renowned intellectual property strategist, lifelong entrepreneur, author, speaker, and columnist. Stephen has over 20 patents in his name and the dozens of concepts he has brought to market have retailed in Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Disney stores and parks worldwide and been endorsed by Michael Jordan, Alex Trebek, and Taylor Swift. He has defended his patents in federal court against the largest toy company in the world, Lego’s. In 1999, he cofounded inventRight to teach others his unique process for harnessing the power of open innovation and the licensing business model. His bestselling book about how to license an idea, One Simple Idea by McGraw-Hill, has been translated into six languages. He has written more than 1,000 articles about intellectual property strategy, product licensing, and entrepreneurship for publications online including Forbes, Inc., and Entrepreneur. Universities and governmental organizations around the world regularly invite him to teach them inventRight’s unique processes for commercializing new product ideas. Stephen has won over 20 industry awards, including two Edison Awards and the Most Influential and Inspiring Leader Of All Time by the WorldIP Forum in 2022. In 2018, he was recognized as a AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador. In 2020, he became a founding member of the United States Intellectual Property Alliance. In 2022, Stephen contributed to “Cases in IP Strategy: Industry Lessons Learned” from the non-profit Michelson Institute for IP. Currently, he’s part of the team responsible for launching a new sustainable packaging innovation that replaces the need to use plastic to carry beverages called Fishbone.
Coaching
When inventors and product-based entrepreneurs search for help licensing their ideas or products, one question comes up consistently: What makes inventRight different from other invention services? The short answer: inventRight's Gateway program is built around transparency, selectivity, and accountable outreach backed by a concrete outcome: 10 company responses or your money back. A Real Gap…
Inventing
Why smart inventors with real products still struggle —and what they're doing about it.
Licensing
Many inventors and entrepreneurs believe the hardest part of licensing a product idea is contacting companies. It's not. The real challenge is getting companies to respond. If you've tried reaching out to companies about licensing your product, you've probably discovered this firsthand. You send the email. You explain the idea. You follow up. And then……
Inventing
The rules that got you here won't get you there. Real entrepreneurs share what happens when you hit the scaling wall.
Licensing
When does it make sense to license an existing product? If you're already selling a product and asking questions like: You're not alone, and you're not failing. These are some of the most common questions inventors and small product businesses ask once they've moved past the idea stage and into the reality of selling. This…
Intellectual Property
Discover key insights on intellectual property for inventors from IPWatchdog LIVE 2024, featuring expert panels and valuable industry takeaways.
Licensing
Is it possible to get paid for your ideas? Yes. Most people think the only way to get paid for your ideas is by starting a business, but that isn’t true. It’s possible to get paid for your ideas without starting a business through the licensing business model . When...
Licensing
Learn from my biggest licensing mistake. Understand how to avoid a critical licensing mistake and manage potential contract breaches effectively.
Licensing Agreement
Learn key strategies for negotiating a licensing agreement. Discover when to involve a licensing attorney and avoid common mistakes.
Licensing Agreement
Discover the top 2 mistakes to avoid in a product licensing agreement. Learn how to protect your idea and ensure companies perform as promised.
Licensing
Discover why companies won't license your product. Learn the common mistakes and how to avoid red flags to improve your chances of success.
inventRight Coaching
Celebrate inventRight's 25th anniversary! Enter our contest to win a share of $10,000 in prizes. Deadline: July 21st, 2024. Don't miss out!
Licensing
License Your Idea with 7 essential tips to connect with companies effectively. Learn how to stand out and secure a licensing deal for your innovative idea.
Coaching
Discover if inventRight membership is right for you. Learn how to license your ideas successfully with expert guidance.
Licensing
Discover how to get paid for your invention ideas into profit. Learn how to make money from your inventions with these expert tips.
Patents
Discover practical advice on how to get your idea patented, avoid common pitfalls, and choose the right patent attorney. Save time, money, and stress with these tips from Stephen Key.
Inventing
Struggling with your product idea? Learn how to turn things around and find success with these simple tips. Don't give up just yet.
Licensing
Learn how to tackle tough questions from companies interested in licensing your product. Be confident and well-prepared for your meeting with these expert tips.
Pitching
Learn how to pitch an idea to a company effortlessly. Discover effective strategies for connecting with companies. Start pitching today.
Licensing
So you've got this great idea, right? And you want to take it to the next level. You want to get it out there, but you're not sure how. Well, don't worry, because I've got some tips for licensing your product idea that will make it easy for companies to...
Marketing
How I transitioned from writing for platforms like allbusiness , entrepreneur.com , Inc.com to landing a spot on Forbes . I've been writing online for more than 10 years, and the advantages of writing for online magazines have been truly amazing. The Benefits Of Writing For Online Magazines Being part...
Intellectual Property
It's tougher than ever to shield yourself from copycats and imitations. In my view, using a patent may not be the most effective way to protect your ideas in today's world of intellectual property. I'll share a business perspective on the best strategies for protecting your invention in the current...
Copywriting
Wondering How to find fresh ideas for your writing? Well, let me tell you, I’m not a natural writer. I struggle with dyslexia, making writing a tough hill to climb. However, I've discovered ways to conquer this obstacle. My secret? I speak into my phone, sending the notes to my...
Prototyping
Master the art of innovation with our guide on how to build prototypes. Learn simple methods from real experiences to turn your ideas into reality.
Marketing
Discover the profound Benefit of writing for other platforms in this insightful journey. Explore the endless opportunities and lasting impact.
Marketing
Back when I was working closely with the folks at McGraw-Hill , they expressed a keen interest in gathering testimonials from well-known inventors for my upcoming book. I was genuinely thrilled about this opportunity. They requested that I compile a list of respected individuals in the industry who could offer...
Licensing
Do you enjoy being creative? Is one of your goals in 2024 to sell an idea and make money? It's entirely possible! inventRight exists to help you overcome the many obstacles standing in your way. We do this with a proven process — our 10-step system for selling an idea...
Pitching
Reaching out to companies to connect, pitch, and ultimately sell your idea has become more challenging than ever. This is because we're all so very busy. Calls go unanswered, inboxes overflow with messages, and some companies have entirely abandoned traditional phone systems. So, how can you make sure your message...
Licensing
Read how Stephen Key started working with Taylor Swift. A Simple Idea Turned Taylor Swift Guitar Picks!
Patents
Explore Stephen's journey through the pros and cons of patents. Discover the real-world insights of a seasoned inventor.
Minimum Guarantees
Master the art of negotiating minimum guarantees in business deals with expert insights. Learn from experience for successful licensing agreements.
Social Media, Marketing
Learn from Stephen's experience in effectively marketing your product on social media. Discover the power of customer-centric strategies.
Licensing Agreement
Learn when and how to request a licensing agreement in this comprehensive guide. Get insights on the licensing agreement process.
Patents
Learn how to write a patent that is truly useful to your business. Follow these steps to ensure your unique features shine in the application process.
Licensing Agreement
Learn strategic tactics for making licensees cover patent costs. Discover effective negotiation tips for protecting your intellectual property.
Intellectual Property
Discover expert strategies on how to protect your product idea in today's competitive market. Learn the best ways to safeguard your innovation.
Books
Learn the art of how to sell books effectively. Discover strategies that ensure reader satisfaction and boost book sales. Expert insights shared.
Books
In the world of writing, my journey begins with the motivation to assist inventors. You see, I write to help my fellow inventors succeed . What I offer is genuine because it comes straight from my journey. However, there's a trick to it. You must package your book in a...
Patent Attorneys
Learn how to save money with a patent attorney – Expert tips from a seasoned inventor with 20+ patents.
Licensing
I often get asked the question " How to license an idea to multiple companies and increase the revenue? " It is most people’s common concern, and I am here to share my experience on how it can be done. Always keep in mind that while approaching various companies to...
Pitching
Discover essential tips for convincing companies that pay for invention ideas. Gain an edge in negotiating your licensing agreement with expert insights.
Inventing
I Have an Invention Idea But No Money? Learn how to bring your invention to market on a budget of $500 or less through product licensing. Get started now.
Licensing
Discover the secrets to excel in product licensing at the highest level. Valuable tips and strategies to stay competitive and achieve success.
Shark Tank
Discover the realities of entrepreneurship in Shark Tank. Learn from the successes, failures, and unpredictable nature of the show.
Licensing
When I was working on my book, “ Become a Professional Inventor ,” I interviewed 30 different open innovation companies. These conversations led me to believe that we inventors, could do a better job submitting our product ideas to companies accepting outside innovations. But truthfully, it’s not always an easy...
Patents
Ideas for an effective patent application
Patent Attorneys
How can you be sure you're working with a trustworthy patent attorney? With over 20 patents granted in my name and even having taken on the largest toy company in the world in San Francisco federal court, I've realized how important is it to file for intellectual property. Another crucial...
Licensing
When inventor Keanu Alfaro noticed a trend in the marketplace, he took action. Congratulations! Keanu Alfaro on successfully licensing your product idea! With the popularity of online shopping, box cutters have become a common household item, easily found in various hardware stores. However, Coach Keanu identified a limitation in the...
Inventing
Discover the biggest mistake inventors make when inventing a product. Learn why knowledge is essential and explore valuable tips for success.
Marketing
With about 930 million members on LinkedIn, it presents an incredible opportunity for inventors to connect with potential licensees. These potential licensees are actively on the lookout for fresh and innovative ideas.
Licensing
"The Odds Of You Licensing That Idea Are One In A Million" In my home office, I'd brainstorm new ideas while shooting baskets with my indoor Ohio Art basketball game. I’ve always loved playing basketball. There's nothing quite like making a few buckets. This Ohio Art indoor basketball game featured...
Inventing
Seeking inventor help? Avoid these mistakes.
Licensing
Have lots of ideas? Don’t want to start a business selling them yourself? Consider product licensing.
Royalties
Proven strategies for getting a higher royalty rate.
Coaching
During a recent call with one of our inventRight members and their coach, I was struck by the question, “Why do we care so much at inventRight?” As this member was crying tears of joy, she explained to me that the past decade of trying to commercialize her wonderful idea...
Licensing
To license a product, here’s what you need to focus on.
Provisional Patent Application
Learn what a provisional patent application is and how it helps product developers.
Licensing
If you want to commercialize an idea, the traditional way has been to start a business. Starting a business to turn an idea into a product requires writing a business plan, manufacturing, marketing, fulfillment, and hiring people. But there is an alternative. It’s called product licensing . In simple terms,...
Licensing
Licensing is a way of doing business that has existed for at least centuries. Note: The advice in this article about licensing agreements is written from a business perspective, not a legal perspective. It is based on my experiences as a successful inventor. I am not an attorney, and this...
Books
Every entrepreneur has a story to tell. Through your journey, you have learned a great deal. You have learned what works and what doesn’t work, and you’d like to share this with other entrepreneurs. But you have never written a book before, and you’re not quite sure how it’s done....
Prototyping
Questions to answer before you seek assistance with a prototype.
Pitching
Things can go wrong when pitching a prototype. Learn how to protect yourself.
Prototyping
Learn about the many ways prototypes help you commercialize your ideas.
Prototyping
The question for inventors isn't, do you need a prototype? It’s, when is one required and what type?
Licensing
Are you an entrepreneur with fantastic concepts for new products and services? Learn what you need to sell your ideas to companies.
Patent Attorneys
Tips and advice for hiring the right patent attorney or patent agent for your invention.
Patents
Learn how to patent a product that makes money.
inventRight Chat
Quick questions about licensing, programs, or your next step.
Ask about licensing, next steps, or inventRight programs. We only start the assistant after you choose to chat.
Prefer email instead? Use the contact page and our team will follow up directly.