Staples will pay you $25,000!

[richardycc]

anyone gonna enter this invention contest? Come up with a new office product, first prize is $25000!

Click here for details.

 

[richardycc]

bump for the inventor in you!

 

[guyver01]

don't "invent" something... improve something.

 

[LOLyourFace]

jump to conclusion map!

you come up with an idea.. and then.. you jump. to. conclusion.!

 

[MacBaine]

Seems pretty sneaky... there's nothing to stop them from taking all the ideas they get and using them without compensating the creators. Sure, they may pay $25k to one guy for his idea, but they might get ideas for 500 more that they market and sell without paying out a dime.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
Seems pretty sneaky... there's nothing to stop them from taking all the ideas they get and using them without compensating the creators. Sure, they may pay $25k to one guy for his idea, but they might get ideas for 500 more that they market and sell without paying out a dime.

exactly what I was thinking

 

[Jetblade]

from the FAQ

Who owns my invention idea?
A. Entrants own all rights to their invention ideas unless or until they negotiate a licensing contract with Staples. Entrant must first ensure to the best of their knowledge that there are no significant intellectual property (IP) issues prior to submitting the invention idea. We will verify there are no IP issues for those ideas that are selected to be a Semi-Finalist. If selected to be a Semi-Finalist, provided there are no IP issues, ownership of the invention idea shall remain with the entrant who had the idea, until a reasonable and customary license agreement may be negotiated between Staples or Staples agent or assignee and the inventor. Staples shall have the right of first refusal with respect to a license agreement relating to your invention idea. By participating in the contest, you agree to the official rules and the decisions of the judges and Staples. Please read the Official rules of the contest. Copies can be found at any US Staples store, online at www.staples.com/IQ or by calling 1-800-333-3330 to have a copy mailed or faxed. <back to top>

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: Jetblade
from the FAQ

Who owns my invention idea?
A. Entrants own all rights to their invention ideas unless or until they negotiate a licensing contract with Staples. Entrant must first ensure to the best of their knowledge that there are no significant intellectual property (IP) issues prior to submitting the invention idea. We will verify there are no IP issues for those ideas that are selected to be a Semi-Finalist. If selected to be a Semi-Finalist, provided there are no IP issues, ownership of the invention idea shall remain with the entrant who had the idea, until a reasonable and customary license agreement may be negotiated between Staples or Staples agent or assignee and the inventor. Staples shall have the right of first refusal with respect to a license agreement relating to your invention idea. By participating in the contest, you agree to the official rules and the decisions of the judges and Staples. Please read the Official rules of the contest. Copies can be found at any US Staples store, online at www.staples.com/IQ or by calling 1-800-333-3330 to have a copy mailed or faxed. <back to top>

That doesn't mean anything. As long as your idea isn't patented, there's nothing to stop them from taking the idea, modifying it in someway perhaps, and producing it as their own. Unless they sign something along the lines of a non-disclosure agreement, anything they do with your idea would be considered fair game. This FAQ is utterly vague as well, which doesn't help much.

 

[DrPizza]

Heh heh heh heh.... I was thinking about making a USB xxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxx
Sorry, but until you guys sign a non-disclosure agreement with me....

Ideas I already passed on: Hmmmm maybe I can enter some of these ideas too! the *** ***** ******* sounds like a great idea on second thought.... just have to think of a good marketing gimmick.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: Jetblade
from the FAQ

Who owns my invention idea?
A. Entrants own all rights to their invention ideas unless or until they negotiate a licensing contract with Staples. Entrant must first ensure to the best of their knowledge that there are no significant intellectual property (IP) issues prior to submitting the invention idea. We will verify there are no IP issues for those ideas that are selected to be a Semi-Finalist. If selected to be a Semi-Finalist, provided there are no IP issues, ownership of the invention idea shall remain with the entrant who had the idea, until a reasonable and customary license agreement may be negotiated between Staples or Staples agent or assignee and the inventor. Staples shall have the right of first refusal with respect to a license agreement relating to your invention idea. By participating in the contest, you agree to the official rules and the decisions of the judges and Staples. Please read the Official rules of the contest. Copies can be found at any US Staples store, online at www.staples.com/IQ or by calling 1-800-333-3330 to have a copy mailed or faxed. <back to top>

That doesn't mean anything. As long as your idea isn't patented, there's nothing to stop them from taking the idea, modifying it in someway perhaps, and producing it as their own. Unless they sign something along the lines of a non-disclosure agreement, anything they do with your idea would be considered fair game. This FAQ is utterly vague as well, which doesn't help much.

yes, so publish it first

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: MacBaine

Originally posted by: Jetblade
from the FAQ

Who owns my invention idea?
A. Entrants own all rights to their invention ideas unless or until they negotiate a licensing contract with Staples. Entrant must first ensure to the best of their knowledge that there are no significant intellectual property (IP) issues prior to submitting the invention idea. We will verify there are no IP issues for those ideas that are selected to be a Semi-Finalist. If selected to be a Semi-Finalist, provided there are no IP issues, ownership of the invention idea shall remain with the entrant who had the idea, until a reasonable and customary license agreement may be negotiated between Staples or Staples agent or assignee and the inventor. Staples shall have the right of first refusal with respect to a license agreement relating to your invention idea. By participating in the contest, you agree to the official rules and the decisions of the judges and Staples. Please read the Official rules of the contest. Copies can be found at any US Staples store, online at www.staples.com/IQ or by calling 1-800-333-3330 to have a copy mailed or faxed. <back to top>

That doesn't mean anything. As long as your idea isn't patented, there's nothing to stop them from taking the idea, modifying it in someway perhaps, and producing it as their own. Unless they sign something along the lines of a non-disclosure agreement, anything they do with your idea would be considered fair game. This FAQ is utterly vague as well, which doesn't help much.

yes, so publish it first

yep, if you are really serious about this. Make a website about your invention with the date the site was made. Also as most inventors probably know, a well kept detailed logbook does a lot for proving you came up with an idea before someone else.