News

Inventor’s journey includes legal help

Right steps needed to cash in on ideas

Forget mousetraps. If a man can find a better way to refresh a stinky refrigerator, the world will really beat a path to his door.

Rod Smith of Highland, Utah, is counting on it. His Ozonator recently debuted on the QVC home shopping network, pitched as a $49, high-tech replacement for baking soda, the long-reigning remedy for cold-storage stench.

"It took me $1 million and a year and a half to perfect and test the idea," Smith says, noting his five-minute appearance on QVC sold more than 2,000 units. Add those to more than 10,000 preliminary orders from test-marketing in Salt Lake City earlier this year, and Smith is well on the way to recouping his investment.

It all began with filing for a patent. Before the money was spent, research and development completed or production of the Ozonator begun at a plant in China, Smith made sure to fill out the forms to protect his product.

"It’s just not something you can afford to leave undone," Smith says. In today’s cutthroat environment and litigious age, he adds, nailing down a patent can prove the difference between entrepreneurial glory and ignominy.

By Bob Mims, Salt Lake Tribune

Full Story: http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/national_intl_business/article/0,1713,BDC_2464_4069443,00.html

News Catrgory Sponspor:


Dorsey & Whitney - An International business law firm, applying a business perspective to clients' needs in Missoula, Montana and beyond.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.