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- Inventor Smart Monthly — May 2026
Inventor Smart Monthly — May 2026
Validation-first thinking, live coaching, and real inventor insights to help you move forward with confidence
Inventor Smart
May 19, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes
In partnership with
May 2026
Whether you’re an experienced inventor or a newbie who just came up with your first big idea, the Inventor Smart Monthly Newsletter is for you!
What’s Inside This Edition
Invention Playbook – Why smart inventors validate before they build
IP Strategy – What to know before sharing your idea with others
Featured Event – Inside the USPTO with Director John Squires
Live Q&A – Ask Brian Fried your invention questions in real time
Inventor Spotlight – Dr. Turner Osler on redesigning how the world sits
FAQ – What trademark registration actually protects
Got Invention Show – Be a guest + featured episode with Shawn Taylor
Inventor Coach Podcast – Build the right team for your invention
USPTO Education – Trademark basics every inventor should know
AI & Invention – Using AI the right way (and why you still own your idea)
Inventor Advice – A mindset from Elon Musk on risk and innovation
Invention History – Nikola Tesla and the breakthrough of AC power
Inventor Tool – uinvent.ai for fast idea validation
Upcoming Events – What’s next inside the Inventor Smart Community
The Invention Journey Most People Get Wrong
Many aspiring inventors believe success starts with patents, prototypes, or pouring money into product development. That’s where many people go wrong. The smartest invention journeys begin with validation—not spending.
Before investing time and money, ask the right questions:
Does this solve a real problem?
Who would buy it?
Is there already something similar on the market?
Can it be produced at a cost people will pay for?
Too often, inventors fall in love with the idea before confirming demand. Fried emphasizes that a great concept is only the beginning—the real opportunity comes when an idea can become a profitable product.
Don’t start with emotion—start with evidence. Research the market, test the need, and gather honest feedback first. When the demand is real, the next steps like prototyping, licensing, or manufacturing become far clearer.
“The journey isn’t about having an idea—it’s about knowing what to do with it.”
Smart inventors don’t rush. They validate first, then build.
👉 Read the full article on Brian Fried’s Invention Playbook - The Invention Journey Most People Get Wrong and discover how to approach your invention with clarity, confidence, and a smarter game plan.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, explore Brian Fried’s Invention Playbook for Insider Secrets and Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Invention Journey.
Tips When Disclosing Your Idea to Others
Sharing an invention can be exciting, but before presenting your idea to others, it is wise to secure basic intellectual property protection. Many inventors start by filing a Provisional Patent Application (PPA), which allows them to use the term “patent pending” for up to one year while exploring licensing, manufacturing, or market interest.
A provisional patent application acts as a temporary placeholder. It gives you an early filing date but does not include the full legal claims of a utility patent. During that one-year period, inventors can test prototypes, gather feedback, and improve their design before deciding whether to move forward.
It is also important to know exactly what type of protection you have. Some inventors believe they already “have a patent” when they only have a provisional filing. Others may have filed a non-provisional application or a design patent. Understanding your filing status and deadlines is essential.
Before the one-year provisional term ends, inventors must decide whether to file a Non-Provisional Patent Application, also called a utility patent. This application contains claims that define what is legally protected. Missing the deadline may result in losing important rights.
For inventions focused mainly on appearance, a Design Patent may be the better option. Design patents protect ornamental features, while utility patents protect how an invention works.
Many inventors choose to work with a patent attorney or patent agent. Attorneys can handle legal disputes and court matters, while agents are licensed to prepare and file patent applications. Costs can vary, so comparing quotes and checking experience is a smart business move.
While it is possible to file on your own, professional guidance can help avoid costly mistakes. Since intellectual property is often the key asset in licensing or launching a product, protecting your idea properly is one of the smartest first steps you can take.
Inside the USPTO: A Special Conversation with Director John Squires
Missed the livestream? The full recording is now available to watch.
The National Inventor Club recently hosted a special livestream event featuring an exclusive recorded interview between Brian Fried and John Squires, the 60th Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property.
This rare and insightful conversation gave inventors a direct look into the leadership of America’s “Innovation Agency.” Director Squires shared his professional journey—from his work at IBM and Goldman Sachs, where he served as their first Chief IP Counsel, to his experiences surrounding 9/11 and his efforts using intellectual property tools to help combat terrorism financing. His perspective helped connect the role of the USPTO to real-world impact in innovation, security, and entrepreneurship.
Key Takeaways from the Event
Throughout the interview, several important insights stood out for inventors at all stages of their journey:
A clearer understanding of what the USPTO does and why it matters to inventors
The constitutional foundation of inventor rights in the United States
Free tools and resources currently available through USPTO.gov
The growing role of independent inventors and upcoming changes shaping innovation in 2026
New AI-powered tools supporting patent searching and idea protection
Practical guidance for navigating each stage of the invention process
One of the most memorable messages shared by Director Squires was a reassurance to the inventor community: “You’re not doing it alone. We’ve got your back.”
The discussion reinforced the importance of staying informed, using available government resources, and understanding that the patent system is built to support innovation at every level.
Whether attendees were just starting out or already working through the patent process, the event delivered clarity, encouragement, and valuable insight straight from the top of the USPTO—helping inventors move forward with greater confidence and direction.
Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNgdG8T2Gc&t
Ask the Inventor Coach — Live Q&A with Brian Fried
Have a question about your invention?
This is your chance to get real answers, live.
Join us for a small-group Q&A with Brian Fried, where you can ask about licensing, pitching, product development, or anything you’re working through right now. No slides. No fluff. Just direct feedback from someone who’s been through it.
📅 Tuesday, May 26
🕗 7:00 PM EST
📍 Live on Google Meet (Premium Insider Exclusive)
What to expect:
Open Q&A format
Real-time guidance on your idea
Small group setting so you actually get time
Premium Insiders can join instantly using the Google Meet link inside the event.
Not a Premium Insider yet? Join to unlock access to this session and future live events.
Add it to your calendar:
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Inventor Spotlight #17: Surgeon-Turned-Inventor: How Dr. Turner Osler Is Redesigning Sitting for Kids & Adults
In this episode of the Inventor Spotlight Podcast, host Samantha St. Raymond sits down with Dr. Turner Osler — a trauma surgeon turned entrepreneur who’s challenging something most of us never question: how we sit.
Now the Founder and CEO of QOR360, Dr. Osler brings decades of medical experience into a new mission focused on movement, posture, and long-term health.
About Dr. Turner Osler
Dr. Osler is an academic trauma surgeon and research epidemiologist who has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. After years of observing the effects of prolonged sitting, he set out to design alternatives that support how the body is meant to move.
That work led to the creation of the Eccentric Bicylinder — the foundation behind QOR360’s active seating designs.
Featured Innovations
The Button Chair
A free, DIY “tippy chair” designed for kids. It encourages movement in the classroom, helping improve focus, confidence, and comfort — especially for students with ADHD.The Foot Wave
An under-desk platform built for adults. It promotes subtle, continuous movement to support posture, circulation, and metabolic activity during long periods of sitting.
What You’ll Learn
Why traditional sitting may be more harmful than we realize
How movement and fidgeting can improve metabolism and long-term health
Practical ways to support children’s focus through design
The case for open-source furniture in schools
Opportunities to collaborate on manufacturing and distribution
Explore Dr. Osler’s Work
📲 Join the Inventor Smart Community: https://app.inventorsmart.com
🧰 More inventor resources: https://theinventortoolbox.com
📱 Now Streaming On
📧 Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Email [email protected]
✨ Become a Premium Insider in the Inventor Smart Community App for your chance to be featured on the Inventor Spotlight Podcast!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a trademark and what rights does trademark registration provide?
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights. In principle, a trademark registration will confer an exclusive right to the use of the registered trademark. This implies that the trademark can be exclusively used by its owner, or licensed to another party for use in return for payment. Registration provides legal certainty and reinforces the position of the right holder, for example, in case of litigation.
Upgrade to Premium Insider
Enhance your inventor journey with exclusive benefits:
Connect with Experts: Join live Q&A sessions to get personalized advice.
Increase Your Visibility: Feature your innovations in community spotlights.
Master Your Skills: Enjoy complimentary access to Inventor Class masterclasses.
Exclusive Savings: Receive special discounts at InventorMart and on coaching with Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach.
Plus, many more perks!
Be a Guest on The Got Invention Show!
Are you an inventor ready to share your story and showcase your product?
The Got Invention Show, hosted by Brian Fried, gives inventors a platform to:
✅ Promote your invention
✅ Pitch for licensing or distribution opportunities
✅ Inspire fellow inventors with your journey
Each 30-minute interview highlights your challenges, solutions, lessons learned, and your next steps as an innovator.
🎥 Watch & Listen:
GotInventionShow.com | Google Podcast | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Apple Podcasts & more
👉 Want to be featured? Apply today:
GotInventionShow.com
🎬 Featured Episode
Shawn Taylor founder of The Open Door Kitchen, the parent company of SO FLYware
One of our past episodes of Got Invention Show featured serial inventor and entrepreneur Shawn Taylor, founder of The Open Door Kitchen, the parent company of SO FLYware.
Shawn shared her journey from working in the insurance and public service sector as a retired agent of Regency Unlimited Insurance and Regency 1 Titles in Louisiana, to becoming a product innovator focused on improving everyday food service and dining experiences.
Through SO FLYware, Shawn has developed a product line designed to enhance both indoor and outdoor eating by offering practical, sanitary solutions for covering and protecting food, serving utensils, and BBQ grill accessories. Her products are created with simplicity and usability in mind, making it easier for consumers to maintain cleanliness and convenience during food preparation and serving.
The Open Door Kitchen launched its first product under the brand SureCover Utensil Rest, which reflects Shawn’s commitment to functional design and real-world problem solving. The product line features a unique approach to keeping utensils properly covered and protected, especially in active cooking and serving environments.
Driven by a long-term vision to become a global leader in her category, Shawn continues to expand her brand with additional products already in development, including a second product launch that was planned for early 2021.
Her appearance on the Got Invention Show highlighted the importance of persistence, practical innovation, and turning everyday frustrations into opportunities for product development.
For more information, visit: www.soflyware.com
The Inventor Coach Podcast
Build Your Invention Team: Who You Need and When
Every invention starts as a solo idea, but bringing it to market requires the right team. In this episode, Inventor Coach Brian Fried explains how inventors can build the support system they need, when to bring in experts, and how to avoid common mistakes when choosing partners.
As an invention moves from concept to prototype to production, different professionals become essential. Knowing who to involve—and at what stage—can save time, money, and frustration.
Key Insights from the Episode
Who to hire at each stage of development
How to protect your idea early in the process
Why prototypes and design are critical steps
What to look for in a manufacturing partner
How strong relationships lead to better product outcomes
The main takeaway is simple: inventing may start alone, but success depends on collaboration. The right team helps you protect your idea, refine your product, and move it efficiently toward the marketplace.
If you’re serious about validating your invention idea and want support along the way, the Inventor Smart Community App connects you with inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, and service providers who are actively building and learning together.
🎙️ Listen on all major platforms
Spreaker | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Amazon
USPTO: Trademark basics
Trademarks are an important part of protecting your brand as an inventor or entrepreneur. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines a trademark as a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of your goods or services and distinguishes them from others in the marketplace.
Unlike patents, which protect inventions, and copyrights, which protect creative works, trademarks protect your brand identity—such as your business name, logo, or slogan.
Key Trademark Basics
The USPTO outlines a few essential points for understanding trademarks:
Trademarks identify and distinguish your products or services
They help build brand recognition and customer trust
A search should be done before applying to avoid conflicts
Strong, unique marks are easier to protect and enforce
Federal registration provides broader legal protection
Maintenance is required to keep your trademark active
Why It Matters
While you can gain limited rights through use, registering your trademark with the USPTO provides stronger nationwide protection and legal advantages. It helps safeguard your brand from misuse and imitation as your business grows.
For more information, read here: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics
What Every Inventor Needs to Know About AI
You Used AI to Come Up With It. Is the Invention Still Yours?
If you’re using AI to brainstorm or develop your invention, you’ve probably wondered:
“Do I still own it?”
This is one of the biggest questions inventors are asking right now—and in this must-read post, Brian Fried breaks it down with clarity, backed directly by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Here’s the truth:
AI is a tool—not an inventor.
That’s not opinion. That’s official USPTO policy.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
The USPTO’s official stance on AI-assisted inventions
Why you are still the inventor—even if you used AI
The legal meaning of “conception” and why it matters
How AI compares to tools like 3D printers and software
What documentation you should keep (and why it matters)
The difference between “first to file” and proving inventorship
How to safely and strategically use AI in your invention process
One of the most important takeaways:
AI can help you think—but it cannot replace your role as the inventor.
If the idea becomes clear and complete in your mind, you are the inventor. Period.
This post is essential if:
You’re using AI to brainstorm or refine ideas
You’re worried about patent rights and ownership
You want to stay aligned with current USPTO policy
You’re building inventions faster with modern tools
🧠 Simple advice that sticks:
Use AI aggressively—but document your thinking.
Because if your inventorship is ever questioned, your notes, sketches, and evolution of thought are what prove it was you.
Accelerate Your Invention Journey with Premium Insider Access
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Advice from an Inventor
If you’re not failing, you’re not innovating enough. Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough. When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.
INVENTION HISTORY: On May 1, 1888 - Patent #382,280 was granted to Nikola Tesla for the "electrical transmission of power."
In April 1887, Tesla, along with his investors, Western Union telegraph superintendent Alfred S. Brown and attorney Charles F. Peck, founded the Tesla Electric Company in New York City for the purpose of developing new types of electric motors and generators.
Tesla soon developed a new type of electromagnetic induction motor that ran on alternating current. Patented in May 1888, Tesla’s motor proved to be simple, dependable, and not subject to the constant need for repairs that plagued direct current-driven motors at the time.
In July 1888, Tesla sold his patent for AC-powered motors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, owned by electrical industry pioneer George Westinghouse. In the deal, which proved financially lucrative for Tesla, Westinghouse Electric got the rights to market Tesla’s AC motor and agreed to hire Tesla as a consultant.
With Westinghouse now backing AC and Edison backing DC, the stage was set for what would become known as “The War of the Currents.”
uinvent.ai Built By An Inventor. Powered By AI. — Turning Ideas Into Action in Minutes
Inventing often starts with a simple question: Is this idea worth pursuing? For many inventors, the challenge is getting quick, reliable feedback without spending significant time or money upfront.
uinvent.ai is a free AI-powered tool created and developed by Inventor Coach Brian Fried, a serial inventor with over 15 U.S. patents. It was designed to help inventors evaluate ideas in minutes and gain early clarity before moving into patents, prototypes, or manufacturing.
What It Offers
By simply describing an idea, users can receive instant insights such as:
AI-generated concept visuals
Basic market and competitor insights
Early-stage patent and prior art considerations
Market potential overview
A quick evaluation summary to guide next steps
Most ideas never move forward because inventors don’t know where to start. uinvent.ai helps bridge that gap by giving instant direction and clarity, making it easier to decide whether to move forward with an invention.
It’s built to support independent inventors by simplifying the earliest—and often most confusing—stage of the invention journey.
Learn more: https://uinvent.ai/
Stay Connected with the Inventor Smart Community
Here’s what’s coming up next in the Inventor Smart Community App. Join us live for expert guidance, real conversations, and community connection.
Upcoming Events
• Ask the Inventor Coach: Live Q&A with Brian Fried
Tuesday, May 26 • 7:00 PM (EST) • Online
👉 Visit Our Events Page
https://app.inventorsmart.com/events
Add event to calendar
Join the Conversation at InventorChat.com
Have a question? Hit a roadblock? Or maybe you just scored a small win worth sharing?
Inventor Chat is your always-open hangout for real inventor talk, no sales pitches, no pressure. Just a place to swap ideas, share progress, get feedback, and see what other innovators are building.
It’s free, it’s 24/7, and it’s where our community keeps the momentum going between meetups and events.
👉 Jump in now at InventorChat.com, your next breakthrough might just start with a conversation.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for their invaluable support to the Inventor Smart Community. Their contributions help us provide essential services and resources to inventors everywhere.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in promoting your product or service in our future newsletters? We offer exclusive sponsorship opportunities to help you reach a targeted audience of inventors and innovators.
Email Us or call (631) 565-7074
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Stay connected, unlock exclusive resources, and become part of a vibrant network of inventors. The Inventor Smart Community website is your central hub for networking, learning, and sharing innovative ideas.
Don't miss out—join now and take your invention journey to the next level!
Brian Fried's Latest Book - Now Available on Audio!
Discover the insights and strategies from Brian Fried, "The Inventor Coach," in his latest book. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your invention journey, this book is packed with valuable advice. And now, it's available in audiobook format for your convenience!
Listen to the audiobook on Audible: Get it on Audible here
InventorMart
A shop for Inventors, innovators, and patent holders. You've worked hard on your invention, now you can wear DESIGNS & MERCH made with you in mind! Find shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, stickers, blankets, and over 1,000 unique items to show that you are proud to be an inventor. Check out InventorMart at InventorMart
About Brian Fried
Brian Fried, widely recognized as "The Inventor Coach," is an accomplished innovator, author, and speaker with over 20 years of experience guiding inventors on their journey from idea to reality.
With 15 patents to his name, Brian has successfully licensed and manufactured his own inventions, earning recognition through QVC, infomercials, catalogs, and major retailers. As an invention licensing agent, Brian offers personalized coaching to help inventors commercialize their ideas into tangible products.
Brian is the founder of the National Inventor Club, a thriving community for inventors to collaborate, network, and access valuable resources. He also serves as the Chief Invention Officer at Inventor Smart, where he supports inventors through product development, licensing, and commercialization strategies.
In October 2023, Brian launched the Inventor Smart Community app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. This innovative platform serves as a social network and resource hub exclusively for inventors, fostering connections and providing tools to support their creative endeavors.
As an engaging speaker, Brian captivates audiences with his expertise on invention and innovation. He has authored three practical books for aspiring inventors and hosts the "Got Invention Show," a platform showcasing inventors and their creations, offering them valuable exposure.
With his extensive experience, resourcefulness, and passion for helping inventors succeed, Brian Fried is a trusted figure in the invention community, dedicated to turning ideas into reality.
📩 Contact Brian:
🌐 brianfried.com
📱 Inventor Smart App
📧 [email protected]
🤝 Connect on LinkedIn
Thank You for Reading
We hope you enjoyed the May 2026 edition of the Inventor Smart Community Newsletter!
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🌐 Visit: inventorsmart.com | app.inventorsmart.com
Inventively Yours,
Brian Fried & The Inventor Smart Team
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