InventorSpot

Alright here we go.

Holey cool. I can't believe it's really Doug!!

Hi Doug:

I got to say, I think you have alot of brass for coming onto a site where some of the inventors have been more than vocal in complaining about the show.

What do you hope to accomplish by blogging on this site?

Should a focus group occur before a prototype is ever made? How much touch a marketing group generally charge? Which is preferred,a patent lawyer or agent or patent online
Thanks!

I just read the history of Niya's development -- I knew it was being sold -- I didn't know that it had been sold in Kmart -- I so wish I'd known that earlier. Just wait till I see Mary Lou again.

The research indicates that ideas that "anticipate the future" are 10 times more likely to be successful than those that simply listen to the "voice of the customer" Net -- use them with caution -- better yet -- just talk to some trusted friends - the kind of friends who you know will tell you the truth.

A focus group is also often seen as a "public disclosure" that can impact international patent rights - unless you have specific wording in your agreement with participants.

Mary Lou is being called Mary Lou Boo Hoo by alot of folks on this site..

Does she know about the nick name and what does she think about it?

I think it was mentioned by a commenter on this site or elsewhere that you do not have alot of patents, but you are known as an inventor. Is that true?

What are some of your inventions that you are most proudest of?

Thanks for coming to blog here, I have to say, I think its pretty cool of you. My respect for you has gone up 1000%.

Doug also known in recent weeks as "A-Hole" (Mary Lou) -- "The Grinch" (Don the idea guy) -- "Mr. Know it All (AI) and my favorite -- "The balding troll" (Comedy Central) .

I'm here to listen, teach a little and have some laugh.

The inventors have complained about the show -- so have I -- but hey at least the country is talking about inventors.

How do you get along with the rest of the judges? There seems to be a lot of tension.

My business model is corporate inventing -- on a fee basis ($150,000 for 3 days is my classic arrangement -- the Ranch also has lower cost options without me). I'm an "inventing mercenary" as such my contracts consider my work "work for hire" thus I'm not mentioned on patents.

Hey it's good work if you can get it.

Will there be a season 2?

I totally agree that the show has served to highten awareness about inventing and inventions and for that, I am grateful to you and to the show.

I mean when else would Jay Leno and Martha Stewart and Ellen Degenerer, all who are looking for inventers according to American Inventor Spot?

If not for this show, we'd still be all sitting in a dark garage somewhere looking to win the measley $25,000 "prize" with modern marvel.

This was first brought to her attention when we did THE VIEW together (I was called the Grinch in the same blog).

I don't think she likes it -- although she did tell me she always loved the Dr. Suess story about the Grinch.

I know she does think I'm the Grinch -- then again isn't the Grinch the hero in the end?

If there was one thing you could change about the show, what would it be?

I know someone who auditioned for your show and her invention was chosen as one of the BEST inventions by TIME Magazine and also won
a very popular Search for Invention contest for a fortune 500 company but received all 4 no's from the judges. Her invention was perfect
for the show and is going to sell in millions. DO u have any knowledge about the invention's background before the inventor auditions??
And do u have any regrets afterwards? DO any of the judges wish they would have said yes to some inventions they said no to?

If for instance there is an invention that I am very interested in purchasing (*coughrestroomdoorclipcough*), but it does not make the cut...will there be information on how to go about getting one (or more)? Or will we have to camp out at Ebay or something of that sort?

I'm not sure you've had a chance to check out the inventions here at AIS in the Invention Gallery, some of them actually made it on the show, and many haven't. My invention is up there. Not going to say which one. But... I'd love to know what you think of them at some point. Even if not right now.

I spoke with Peter Jones today by phone. He had just finished another round of Dragon's Den. I asked him about season 2 -- knowing I was on tonight. He said "ABC continues to be very excited about the show. They know it's in a very, very tough time slot. The final decision will depend on what else is available and how the next few weeks go."

From what I've heard from Freemantle and ABC -- I'm personally cautiously optimistic.

If there is a second season -- I am under contract to do it.

• 50 products dropped down to 12 w/o really seeing any reasons - will we ever see why things were cut?

I come up with ideas, all day long, for someone else. And I invent on the side, for myself. How did you get into it, and how can I?

Do you have roles for the show?

I mean have the producers ever given you any indication that you should act like a certain personality or character or is what we see the real Doug Hall?

I know the show is edited by the production team, but how scripted is it?

Yes it's very real the tension that you see. The fight between ML and I in show one was a big one -- I felt she was using a "technicality" to get out a lady who was amazingly normal (No crying) -- she felt that it was the right thing to do.

Peter and I are the most similar -- we both started our companies with nothing. I used credit cards to fund mine. He was washing his hair in cold water.

Hi Doug,

Not know what to do with my idea or where to start, I am one of those guys
who fell for an invention submitting company. I know know that I will
not get any where with them. So back to square one.

How does one start, if one does not know how to start and fianicing is
an issue?

Are there any inventions that you thought were good but didn't get to the top 30 (or further for that matter)?

Hi Doug. What did YOU truly think of Take-A-Seat? Was
it too expensive for the show? Any ideas why more footage
was not shown, especially since you all told us you
liked it? We never were really told why we missed
the top 12, but are thankful for getting as far as we
did.

Kind Regards,
Pat Rock
Take-A-Seat

Hopefully Mary Lou will be true to her career goal and choose a woman inventor amongst the finalists

I don't know about the others -- I know that in my case they were looking for someone who really knew inventions and wasn't afraid to be blunt about it. I told Simon I was not interested in being RUDE -- as I told all the inventors they're my hero's -- it's the chumps without the guts to get up and do something that i have problems with.

Simon laughed and said -- Doug you don't get it. If you tell the truth you're going to be seen as nasty - it's as simple as that.

So yes there are many times that I "cringe" at the edit. However in the end I know that I spoke and speek the truth to the best of my knowledge in the situation. That said. There are many times I learned later....

Do you know why ABC did not air all of the inventors that made it to the final 24 and final 50? I would have loved to have seen everyone who made it past "Round 1".

Hi Doug:

I write on this site on stuff I find amusing or bemusing. I know you have seen alot of wacky stuff on the auditions for the show. Which was your personal pick for wackiest invention?

Thanks,

Amused and Bemused

You've been ROBBED in the EDIT. So too has Matt with the Trailer Tower. Both are two of my personal favorites.

I believe you have a great product. My advice is to do some clever cost engineering -- figure out how to make it a $1,000 value for $400 i.e. through clever multiple uses of pieces. I just bought a bike rack for $200 (ouch) -- I'd much rather of had your system

Is "price" a bad word? You're the only one I've seen bring it up (solar cooler and drinkplate IIRC) and both times you were scoffed at. In a nutshell:

At some point before the final voting will we have some idea what this stuff costs?

I personally most loved the Beatle Utopia for the world of wacky -- great ideas walk a fine line between GENIUS and FOOLISH -- he was definitely on the line. You only saw a portion of it (remember most inventors are with us for 15 to 30 minutes (or 40 minutes in the case of the paper lady).

I really appreciate your honesty on the show. I feel like some of the other judges are being fake just because they are on tv. You must have a tough skin to take all the punches people are throwing you. Just wanted to let you know that there are people who appreciate the honesty.

40 minutes for the paper sheets lady? Yikes!

Sadly -- none of the other judges (except Peter on profit margin) -- has a lot of interest in -- manufacturing, engineering, feasibility.

As Ed said "that's stuff to figure out later" -- in my experience you need to Get It Right the First time -- there are somethings that are just impossible.

Regarding the Drink Plate -- he listened and in show 5 came back with a new design that was cheaper -- sadly i was not allowed to ask questions -- and his pitch didn't do it.

...the PureFlush thing in the lead, with the carseat in close second. And a bunch of things, one of which is the bathroom lock in third place. These are real votes from real people out there in cyberland. All three of these inventions you have to judge on.

Are you worried that you may be forced to eliminate at least one of the best inventions on the show?

And... without giving anything away, have some of the products that didn't make it through to the final round (since taping is already mostly done) get picked up for licensing from Freemantle under the original contract that all contestants signed?

That's why Peter says in the clip do we have time for this -- and looks at his watch. That said -- she was hilarious -- and it was late, late at night when she came in -- so she really got me laughing with her.

Doug, You have no idea how much I appreciate your
comment. I know I can speak for Matt in saying
the same for him. We feel that perhaps we were
robbed because we were not "reality tv" material,
but are proud to say we didn't compromise our
integrity.

By the way, save your receipt, we'll get you a
Take-A-Seat as soon as they are in production.

All the best, Pat

I can't imagine its a subject you major in in college (like Business). How do you get started in it if you are brilliant at it (if I don't mind saying so myself)?

I was just going to say that I thought some of the inventions kicked off were way better than the final 12. They WERE robbed!! You are so tight.

Why do you think it happened. Is it the storyline and drama more important than the invention.

Could a great idea, but no sob story, have gotten into the Final 12?

Boom or Bust -- I didn't know that the three were at the top. I will tell you that I am very excited about the show to come. It will be interesting to see your reaction. I was forced to make a decision....and it was 2:00 in the AM that I delivered it. In my case was very fortunate all 3 were very viable -- and any of them could have been selected. I'm not going to give away what happened.

1. What changes would you make for AI2.
2. What were your favorite ideas from the entire show. top 5.
3. Did those 5 make it to the top 4?
4. What have you gained/learned from being on this show?
5. What happened to your AI radio series on your website?

In my case I've always worked for myself - except for 10 years at Procter & Gamble. I went straight into the brand management (marketing) department from Chemical Engineering. It helped me understand how they business folks think -- about brands, investments, risk and most importantly RESEARCH.

Did the singers (Evan and Jaron) ever come back with a prototype of their bowl? Seemed like a bit of a producer's publicity stunt for the first ep, and then when we never saw them again...

Doug,

I understand why the show focuses on the emotional rather than the intellectual side of inventing. Human conflict and drama is much more entertaining than watching someone spend hours researching market trends, conduct a patent search, draft a business plan, meet with a patent attorney, etc.

What I don't understand is why ABC and the producers did not use the AI web site to educate inventors about the inventing process and direct them to places where they can find more information... for example, inventor organizations, small business development agencies and public libraries. Surely, ABC could have put up a few links to the SBA, USPTO, etc.

Thanks!

I know that the Ranch is here in Cincy, but did you base it here because P&G is here? Or was that a happy accident?

1. What changes would you make for AI2.

Sorry I can't answer yet -- until we get further - the one thing I can say is I want to work on the contract (I've said that publicly before)

2. What were your favorite ideas from the entire show. top 5.

Again -- can't say as it might influence votes to come

3. Did those 5 make it to the top 4?

I can say NO -- not all five

4. What have you gained/learned from being on this show?

Don't do Reality TV...just kidding. ..sort of....

5. What happened to your AI radio series on your website?

I've been crashed with doing real work. I'm working projects in the UK, Mexico and USA -- we didn't really plan for how much work this was going to take. That said -- I've gotten lots of e-mails about it and plan to record my comments on shows 3 to 6 tomorrow

My wife and I almost created the company in Boothbay Harbor Maine. However we had little kids at the time and travel was a lot easier from Cincinnati - even it Delta charges a fortune

You had to bring that up -- it was such a hustle -- at one point when i challenged them - one of them winked at me. It only made me madder, when there were real inventors waiting

As of this minute we have nearly 1000 people on the site. Very cool.

See next page for continuing comments and questions...