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Inventor Smart Monthly: USPTO Insights, Fearless Innovation, and Your Next Big Break
From licensing vs. launching to patent classification, podcasts, and community spotlights — discover the tools, stories, and strategies inventors need this September.
Brian Fried & Inventor Smart
September 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 25 minutes
September 2025
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 September Edition
💡 Inventor Tips – Navigating the inventor’s journey with Brian Fried
⚖️ Decision Point – Should you license your invention or launch it yourself?
🎤 Podcast Feature – Melon Dash on conquering fear of water (Inventor Spotlight Ep. 18)
📝 FAQ Highlight – What protection does an industrial design right offer?
🌟 Premium Insider – Unlock exclusive benefits, events, and inventor perks
🎉 Event Recap – NIC Meeting: USPTO programs, resources & real support
🛠️ Got Invention Show – Be a guest and share your invention journey
🤖 New Podcast – Innovation Intelligence: Where AI meets entrepreneurial wisdom
📜 USPTO Resource – Understanding patent classification (CPC system)
💬 Words of Wisdom – Gary B Brint on effort, sacrifice, and success
🕰️ Invention History – George Eastman, Kodak, and the roll-film revolution
🌐 Community Highlights – Stay connected with Inventor Smart & Inventor Chat
Navigating the Inventor’s Journey with Brian Fried
Turning a great idea into a successful product takes more than creativity, it requires research, strategy, and the right guidance. For over 19 years, inventor and coach Brian Fried has been helping innovators move from concept to commercialization with practical, proven insights.
🔍 Research is Essential – Study competitors, check for existing products, and validate market demand before investing.
🎯 Know Your Audience – Focus on solving real problems for the right market, whether niche or mass.
⚠️ Avoid Common Mistakes – Don’t overlook costs, skip patent checks, or build something with little demand.
⚖️ Choose Your Path Wisely –
Licensing: Lower risk, steady potential with the right partner.
Manufacturing: More control and higher rewards, but comes with greater responsibility.📑 Protect Your Intellectual Property – Secure patents, trademarks, and copyrights early.
✅ Do Your Due Diligence – Evaluate feasibility, costs, and long-term viability before moving forward.
Read here to learn more: Navigating the Inventor’s Journey: Insights from Invention Expert Brian Fried
Should You License Your Invention—or Launch It Yourself?
As an inventor, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to license your invention to a company or launch it yourself as a business. Both paths can lead to success, but each comes with different challenges, rewards, and risks.
Licensing Your Invention
Licensing means you hand over manufacturing and distribution to a company in exchange for royalties.
Pros:
Lower upfront costs and reduced risk
Focus on creativity rather than operations
Cons:
Less control over your product
Royalties are smaller than potential business profits
Launching It Yourself
Launching your invention means becoming the entrepreneur behind the product, handling everything from production to sales.
Pros:
Full control over brand and business decisions
Potential for higher profits and growth
Cons:
Requires significant time, money, and effort
Greater personal and financial risk
Making the Right Choice
The best path depends on your goals, resources, and risk tolerance. If you’d rather focus on inventing, licensing might be the way to go. If you’re ready to build and run a business, launching it yourself could bring greater rewards.
👉 Read the full article here: Invention Playbook
🎙️ Inventor Spotlight Podcast Ep. 18
Conquer Your Fear of Water — Inventor Melon Dash (Miracle Swimming)
Inventor Spotlight #18
Half of U.S. Adults Can’t Swim—Fear, Not Technique, Is the Real Barrier
In this episode, inventor and educator Melon Dash shares her breakthrough Five Circles model, designed to help adults feel safe and calm in water before learning strokes. She also demos her Learn-to-Float Station (float bar + tether) and previews a patent-pending hurricane-resilient fence inspired by Hurricane Milton.
What You’ll Learn:
The Five Circles: How panic happens, and how real learning flows the opposite way
Why safety starts with being in your body, not swimming strokes
How the float bar + tether lets adults practice safely—at home, hotels, or community pools
What’s in the kit: Float bar, tether, book, ebook, videos, podcast, $199 at Miracle Swimming
Bonus: How the Five Circles apply to test nerves, math fear, procrastination, and more
Teaser: Melon’s storm-smart, “last fence you’ll ever need” (field tests coming)
🔗 Explore Melon’s Work:
📱 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 in an upcoming episode!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of protection does an Industrial Design right offer?
In a legal sense, an industrial design constitutes the ornamental aspect of an article.
An industrial design may consist of:
Three-dimensional features, such as the shape of an article
Two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines, or color
In principle, the owner of a registered industrial design or of a design patent has the right to prevent third parties from:
Making, selling, or importing articles bearing or embodying a design
That is a copy, or substantially a copy, of the protected design
When such acts are undertaken for commercial purposes
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!
Recap: August 2025 National Inventor Club Meeting
What USPTO Offers Inventors: Programs, Resources & Real Support
Most of us think USPTO = file patents, get protection. But as we learned in this month’s meeting, they do so much more. The United States Patent and Trademark Office offers training programs, community outreach, educational resources, and is even expanding staff to improve services for inventors and entrepreneurs.
Our featured speaker was Elizabeth Dougherty, Regional Outreach Director of the USPTO, who highlighted practical tools and opportunities inventors often overlook.
Key Takeaways from Elizabeth’s Presentation:
✅ Programs most inventors never hear about
✅ USPTO’s “Return to Basics” focus, and what it means for you
✅ How hiring expansions will improve inventor services
✅ Regional offices bringing resources into local communities
✅ Training events worth attending (and how to find them)
✅ Tips for navigating USPTO.gov to uncover valuable tools
Special Guest Insights:
Professor Sarah Bonzo (SUNY Oswego) – Shared how design thinking helps inventors and entrepreneurs refine ideas.
Michelle Beaver, inventor of Simply Sensory and new Premium Member – Introduced her innovative product and entrepreneurial journey.
This session was packed with insider knowledge, practical strategies, and real resources inventors can use right now to bring their ideas closer to market success.
Missed the Event? Be Part of the Next One!
If you weren’t able to join us this time, don’t worry, more events are on the way!
Whether you’re:
An inventor ready to present
A curious viewer
An industry professional
Our upcoming showcases and meetups are open to you.
Want to join the audience next time?
Make sure you're subscribed to National Inventor Club updates to get the next event invite straight to your inbox.
Events like Inventors Got Talent are what make the inventor community thrive, through sharing ideas, building connections, and supporting innovation at every stage.
Stay tuned for more exciting events ahead!
Upcoming NIC Event: Waiting for Announcement
Stay tuned for the announcement of our next exciting event.
Be sure to check the event listings regularly at:
https://app.inventorsmart.com/events
And keep an eye on your email for updates.
We promise another engaging and informative session, and we can't wait to share more details with you soon!
Be a Guest on The Got Invention Show!
Are you an inventor ready to share your story and showcase your product to the world?
The Got Invention Show, hosted by Brian Fried, is your platform to:
✅ Promote your invention
✅ Pitch for licensing or distribution opportunities
✅ Inspire fellow inventors with your journey
Each 30-minute interview explores:
🔹 Your challenges & solutions
🔹 Lessons learned along the way
🔹 Future plans for your invention
Where to Watch & Listen:
GotInventionShow.com | GotInventionTube | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Apple Podcasts & more!
👉 Want to be featured?
Apply today at GotInventionShow.com and take the next step in bringing your invention to the spotlight.
Interested in Becoming a Guest?
If you're an inventor looking to:
Pitch your idea
Attract investors
Share your journey
Sign up at: GotInventionShow.com
Meet the Host: Brian Fried
As an inventor mentor and founder of Inventor Smart, Brian has helped inventors bring their products to market for over 19 years.
🌐 Learn more at brianfried.com
📢 Subscribe to the Got Invention Show on YouTube for more inspiring stories and inventor journeys!
Innovation Intelligence Podcast: Where AI Meets Entrepreneurial Wisdom
We’re excited to introduce Innovation Intelligence, a podcast that uncovers the hidden patterns, strategies, and lessons behind successful inventors and entrepreneurs.
This show is built from insights from Brian Fried’s Invention Playbook newsletter and powered by research from the Inventor Smart team.
Listeners will gain practical takeaways on:
Invention Development – Turning concepts into real products
Licensing & Royalties – Earning income through partnerships
Prototyping & Manufacturing – Strategies to build what works
IP Protection – Patents, trademarks, and copyrights explained
Funding & Resources – Essential tools for entrepreneurs
Each episode delivers actionable advice, expert insights, and breakthrough moments that help inventors transform ideas into profitable businesses.
👉 Start listening now on Spreaker: Innovation Intelligence
👉 Explore more articles & resources: Invention Playbook
USPTO: Understanding Patent Classification
Patent Classification
Patent classification is a system for organizing all U.S. patent documents and other technical documents into specific technology groupings based on common subject matter.
On January 1, 2013, the USPTO moved from using the United States Patent Classification (USPC) system to the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system — a jointly developed system with the European Patent Office (EPO).
CPC has now been adopted by many countries throughout the world.
The Office of International Patent Cooperation (OIPC)
The Classification Division consists of three support areas created to support CPC policies, practices, and maintenance.
The USPTO’s OIPC supports CPC through:
Standards & Development – Building and maintaining classification systems
Editorial Updates – Revising and publishing CPC changes
Quality & Coordination – Ensuring accuracy and international harmonization
Understanding CPC is essential for inventors and entrepreneurs looking to protect and search patents effectively.
👉 Learn more about CPC and how it impacts your inventions: USPTO Patent Classification
Accelerate Your Invention Journey with Premium Insider Access
Ready to transform your ideas into reality faster? Become a Premium Insider and gain exclusive access to tailored resources, expert guidance, and special opportunities designed specifically to support inventors like you.
Advice from an Inventor:
A Lot Of Effort and Sacrifice, Equals Success. The Blood, Sweat, and Money Flows Freely. Be Prepared To Not Get It Right On The First Try.
INVENTION HISTORY: On September 4, 1888, George Eastman registered the name ‘Kodak’ and patented his roll-film camera
The first successful roll-film hand camera, the Kodak, was launched publicly in the summer of 1888. Inventor George Eastman received a patent (number 388,850) for the camera’s shutter and the trademark (number 15,825) for the Kodak name on September 4, 1888.
The immediate triumph of the camera prompted Eastman to change the name of his company from Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company to Eastman Kodak Company in 1892.
This three-part exhibition explores early photographic processes through cameras and related equipment from the museum’s collections. Includes a room-size camera obscura providing a unique view of the West Garden; Making Photographs: The First 50 Years, which focuses on the development of daguerreotype, wet-plate, and dry-plate photography; and The Revolutionary Kodak, which showcases the new system of photography that Eastman introduced to the world—through both the evolution of the camera and the snapshots each has captured.
Designed with the novice photographer in mind, the Kodak was a box-style camera requiring no adjustments or prior photographic knowledge. To use the camera, the photographer simply armed the shutter by pulling up on the string (located on the front right of the camera), pointed the camera at the subject, and then pressed the shutter release. These steps were clearly explained in the camera’s instruction manual and were used to promote the ease of the camera along with the slogan, "You press the button, we do the rest."
Stay Connected with the Inventor Smart Community
Read on for more upcoming events and highlights from the Inventor Smart Community App. Don't miss out on our latest workshops, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources designed to propel your inventing journey forward!
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
Join the Inventor Smart Community
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 September 2025 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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