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by X900BattleApple » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:28 am
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I don't at all Randy, and you're raising valid points rather than seeing something in the rules that isn't there.
The contest does ask for parental permission, and the parents are obliged to read the rules before granting (if they intend to) consent for those under 18. Still, at the end of the day, it's only those who are eligable winners that would have to sign a final document giving up the rights in order to receive the cash. The rules even recommend the eligible winner get legal advice on the document before signing. Seems pretty honorable to me. While both parent and child may not read the fine print of the rules, I imagine they will read the fine print on the 'sign here and you win but we get your idea' document. I guess I just have more faith in people's smarts on the tail end which is really where the loss of i.p. rights happens and is thus infinitely more critical to understand than the rules on the front end (i.e. registering and competing versus winning).
The contest does ask for parental permission, and the parents are obliged to read the rules before granting (if they intend to) consent for those under 18. Still, at the end of the day, it's only those who are eligable winners that would have to sign a final document giving up the rights in order to receive the cash. The rules even recommend the eligible winner get legal advice on the document before signing. Seems pretty honorable to me. While both parent and child may not read the fine print of the rules, I imagine they will read the fine print on the 'sign here and you win but we get your idea' document. I guess I just have more faith in people's smarts on the tail end which is really where the loss of i.p. rights happens and is thus infinitely more critical to understand than the rules on the front end (i.e. registering and competing versus winning).
rules
by Roger Brown » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:37 pm
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As a contestant in Invention contests and auditioning for Inventor shows like Everyday Edison's I have to say that the majority of entrants don't read the fine print. All they are consumed about is that someone in a higher position than themselves is going to see their invention. Humans are basically lazy when it comes to reading the fine print until it bites them in the butt.
I know an Inventor that got a deal with a toy company. he was excited that his action figures were going to be on the market and he was going to get a royalty on the sales. What he failed to read was that it stated he would get royalties on the sales of every action figure made in the USA. Well I can guess you have already figured where 99.9% of the action figures are made. He has yet to receive any rolyalty beyound the small advance they paid him. He went to court but as the Judge pointed out he had time to read it and get legal advice prior to signing the document.
It was stated that the person smart enough to win would also know better to read any document before signing it. I have to disagree. There are a lot of book smart people who can't find their way out oa room with one door. There are also a large number of people with great inventions that will never make it to market because they don't have a decent business sense.
Consider all the people that are still getting ripped off by unscrupulous invention submission companies that are only after the Inventors money. This is after all the publicy and constant ranting by people like us trying to warn them and they still fall prey to them.
I know an Inventor that got a deal with a toy company. he was excited that his action figures were going to be on the market and he was going to get a royalty on the sales. What he failed to read was that it stated he would get royalties on the sales of every action figure made in the USA. Well I can guess you have already figured where 99.9% of the action figures are made. He has yet to receive any rolyalty beyound the small advance they paid him. He went to court but as the Judge pointed out he had time to read it and get legal advice prior to signing the document.
It was stated that the person smart enough to win would also know better to read any document before signing it. I have to disagree. There are a lot of book smart people who can't find their way out oa room with one door. There are also a large number of people with great inventions that will never make it to market because they don't have a decent business sense.
Consider all the people that are still getting ripped off by unscrupulous invention submission companies that are only after the Inventors money. This is after all the publicy and constant ranting by people like us trying to warn them and they still fall prey to them.
Come visit my sites at http://www.RogerBrown.net
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
Re: rules
by X900BattleApple » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:00 pm
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Roger Brown wrote:I know an Inventor that got a deal with a toy company. he was excited that his action figures were going to be on the market and he was going to get a royalty on the sales. What he failed to read was that it stated he would get royalties on the sales of every action figure made in the USA. Well I can guess you have already figured where 99.9% of the action figures are made. He has yet to receive any rolyalty beyound the small advance they paid him. He went to court but as the Judge pointed out he had time to read it and get legal advice prior to signing the document.
I would agree that in this case the lingo was designed to be shady and dubious in the hopes the inventor would not read between the lines as it were. But this is fine print about the deal he signed, the macro print being that the overall document was about producing his idea as toy action figures.
In the Ruckus Nation case the fine print of the document an eligible winner must sign to be paid is of course important, but the macro print is 'to get your money you must sign this document which relinquishes the i.p. to HopeLab'. Even if you didn't read the fine print the macro print is fairly straight up and easy to understand. I suppose one might wonder if the inventor would be created in any production model and would have to read the fine print etc., but in terms of "you win and get x dollars by signing this document and we get the i.p.' the competition appears to my eyes to be very plain; no fine print reading required.
It was stated that the person smart enough to win would also know better to read any document before signing it. I have to disagree. There are a lot of book smart people who can't find their way out oa room with one door. There are also a large number of people with great inventions that will never make it to market because they don't have a decent business sense.
I bow to your experience in the field since I'm only an inventor in my mind lol. But again, at least the 'winner' document's main intent is very up front regardless of any legalese it may contain.
Consider all the people that are still getting ripped off by unscrupulous invention submission companies that are only after the Inventors money. This is after all the publicy and constant ranting by people like us trying to warn them and they still fall prey to them.
Totally hear you guys on this front, I guess I just question whether historical precident and a desire to watch-dog inventors is, in the ruckus case, causing a bit of a mis-perception and attribution of shadiness which isn't really there. Meh, just my $.02
I actually have a couple (3 maybe) ideas for great commercials, and I wish to hell there was a forum for marketing a marketing idea and how to go about that
They've been rattling around my head for years now and I have zero idea how to put them into motion.
Ruckus nation
by Roger Brown » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:17 pm
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You make some good points X900BattleApple. Just to make it clear most of experienced inventors here are not on a witch hunt as it may appear. We challenge any company offering help/monetary prizes/contract/etc to get the most accurate information possible.
There is a fine line between being overly paranoid, gullible or cautious. These are your ideas you are trusting to another individual. You want to make sure they have your best interest at heart, not just theirs.
There is a fine line between being overly paranoid, gullible or cautious. These are your ideas you are trusting to another individual. You want to make sure they have your best interest at heart, not just theirs.
Come visit my sites at http://www.RogerBrown.net
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
by 5rocks » Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:10 pm
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5rocks - Green Belt
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Great point Roger. One thing that happened with my experience with American Inventor was not only the fine print up front, but the contracts, etc.....that follow as you make it farther in to the competition. When we got to the finals we were like, "What in the hell have we gotten ourselves into"! A thing to always remember is that any contract written by any company is always written in their favor. That is just the way of the world. We just don't want our fellow inventors getting in to something they didn't bargain for.
Good luck!
Pat
www.thetakeaseat.com
Good luck!
Pat
www.thetakeaseat.com
by Work2XL » Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:46 pm
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Work2XL - Blue Belt
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Thread Summary for those too lazy to read all this.
Michelle announces Ruckus Contest,
Bell rings,
Road cheers
Round 1
Work throws a jab at Contest rules and tags Srup.
Srup comes in and lands heavy blows to the body and comes upstairs with a strong left hook to the eye. End of round one.
Road goes to work in the corner on the eye or Ruckus to fulfill prior moral contract requirements. Work lends an ice pack.
Round 2
Tate steps up to start round two. Work, Road and other applaud his courage, but see the logical ending. Scrup starts round like last ended. A flurry of punches. Tate bobs and weaves, but seems to still take a lot of punishment. Tate's defense is no match for Scrup when he is wearing his "righteous trunks" Roger calls out instructions from the corner. The ref Michelle steps in, she's taking a close look at Tate just as the bell rings.
End of round two.
The crowd is on their feet. It's a pretty one sided fight. Ruckus was a good kid, with a good heart, but his camp has not prepared him for this level of competition. There have been rumors he was left out to dry by his team.
Round 3
Battle Apple comes out of the crowd and steps up for Ruckus. He's a pretty much unknown in this region but show a lot of skill. His defense is pretty strong and Srup seems as if he may have punched himself out... No wait a min. Scrup makes a solid come back with a nice combination. Battle however doesn't give ground, and fires a nice counter attack. The crowd holds its breath. This is the best round yet. I've got to say, this has been a good fight and I'm very impressed that neither opponent has been warned for low blows. I half expected BSG to throw a chair in the ring thinking it was a WWF match.
Bell rings end of round 3
Roger gives Scrup instructions in the corner; Work, Road, Mojo and Roger call their promoter and suggest Ruckus fight on an up coming under card.
The producer signals it is time for a 10 second station identification. "This fight is brought to you by ISPOT in connection with top rank forums. Cut away to a commercial. Que: 30 sec spot promoting Work's reality show, "I don't have anything intelligent to say so I do lame comedy"
This service brought to you free of charge and is available upon request for any thread because I don't have a life and read them all.
Randy
Michelle announces Ruckus Contest,
Bell rings,
Road cheers
Round 1
Work throws a jab at Contest rules and tags Srup.
Srup comes in and lands heavy blows to the body and comes upstairs with a strong left hook to the eye. End of round one.
Road goes to work in the corner on the eye or Ruckus to fulfill prior moral contract requirements. Work lends an ice pack.
Round 2
Tate steps up to start round two. Work, Road and other applaud his courage, but see the logical ending. Scrup starts round like last ended. A flurry of punches. Tate bobs and weaves, but seems to still take a lot of punishment. Tate's defense is no match for Scrup when he is wearing his "righteous trunks" Roger calls out instructions from the corner. The ref Michelle steps in, she's taking a close look at Tate just as the bell rings.
End of round two.
The crowd is on their feet. It's a pretty one sided fight. Ruckus was a good kid, with a good heart, but his camp has not prepared him for this level of competition. There have been rumors he was left out to dry by his team.
Round 3
Battle Apple comes out of the crowd and steps up for Ruckus. He's a pretty much unknown in this region but show a lot of skill. His defense is pretty strong and Srup seems as if he may have punched himself out... No wait a min. Scrup makes a solid come back with a nice combination. Battle however doesn't give ground, and fires a nice counter attack. The crowd holds its breath. This is the best round yet. I've got to say, this has been a good fight and I'm very impressed that neither opponent has been warned for low blows. I half expected BSG to throw a chair in the ring thinking it was a WWF match.
Bell rings end of round 3
Roger gives Scrup instructions in the corner; Work, Road, Mojo and Roger call their promoter and suggest Ruckus fight on an up coming under card.
The producer signals it is time for a 10 second station identification. "This fight is brought to you by ISPOT in connection with top rank forums. Cut away to a commercial. Que: 30 sec spot promoting Work's reality show, "I don't have anything intelligent to say so I do lame comedy"
This service brought to you free of charge and is available upon request for any thread because I don't have a life and read them all.
Randy
by X900BattleApple » Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:46 pm
- X900BattleApple
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Too much Work2XL lol. Cleary you have a career in sports announcing! I'm not sure I'm ready for Round 4 just yet 
But, after a couple of pork ribs and a Guiness I'll be ready for anything, including Scrups apologetic announcement that he's more or less wrong 
Hahah, couldn't resist one final jab as the bell signalling the end of Round 3 chimed. DING!
But, after a couple of pork ribs and a Guiness I'll be ready for anything, including Scrups apologetic announcement that he's more or less wrong Hahah, couldn't resist one final jab as the bell signalling the end of Round 3 chimed. DING!
invention
by Roger Brown » Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:16 pm
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Roger Brown - Black Belt
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Work2XL I love your color commentary. You definitely have a career in annoucing. LOL 
Come visit my sites at http://www.RogerBrown.net
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
or http://www.looking2license.com
I have gotten 9 products licensed spending less than $100 on each, you can too.
by Scrupulous » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:42 pm
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Scrupulous - Black Belt
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Round Four: Ding!
The Champ stays put, his elbows propped out over the middle ropes. He glances up and across the ring without lifting his head. He doesn’t want a reason to continue the senseless beating. He doesn’t SEE a reason. There is none. He knows it. The paper challenger knows it. You know it. And, I know it. Still, he must pretend that he’s not enjoying the mutilation--for the kids…if only for the kids.
"That’s another human being over there", he petitions under his breath. "Doesn’t he know I can go ten rounds if I need to? Twenty?? Shoot--Forty!! He must know he’s beat by now", the Champ muses to a grin, '...and he ought to know I couldn’t back down even if I tried. Heck, I know he’s just doing his job. But, I also know that HE knows that I know."
Feigning mercy, the Champ winces down toward his blinking neon red-white-and-blue trunks (which he had won as a prize for an invention competition celebrating September 11th) and leans forward to get up. Road Show, who had been tugging on the three-legged stool, stumbles backward into the second row. The stool makes it a few more.
Not to be distracted, the Champ begins his patented side-dance and starts yelling, [i]“C’mon!!! You Two-Headed Monkey!!!â€
The Champ stays put, his elbows propped out over the middle ropes. He glances up and across the ring without lifting his head. He doesn’t want a reason to continue the senseless beating. He doesn’t SEE a reason. There is none. He knows it. The paper challenger knows it. You know it. And, I know it. Still, he must pretend that he’s not enjoying the mutilation--for the kids…if only for the kids.
"That’s another human being over there", he petitions under his breath. "Doesn’t he know I can go ten rounds if I need to? Twenty?? Shoot--Forty!! He must know he’s beat by now", the Champ muses to a grin, '...and he ought to know I couldn’t back down even if I tried. Heck, I know he’s just doing his job. But, I also know that HE knows that I know."
Feigning mercy, the Champ winces down toward his blinking neon red-white-and-blue trunks (which he had won as a prize for an invention competition celebrating September 11th) and leans forward to get up. Road Show, who had been tugging on the three-legged stool, stumbles backward into the second row. The stool makes it a few more.
Not to be distracted, the Champ begins his patented side-dance and starts yelling, [i]“C’mon!!! You Two-Headed Monkey!!!â€