The Nature of Invention

So, now that we've all been brought up to speed, I think I should take a moment to talk of the things that drive me onwards. The meaning behind some of my actions and the definition of my nature. As I have mentioned before, I have the knack for invention. However, this is nothing special in the grand scheme of things. In reality, we ALL share this trait. Everyone is an inventor of sorts. All people try to create some means for making their life easier. No matter how small. What I am trying to accomplish is what very few actually achieve. To invent something and make money in the process. From the earliest days of my creating things, I have learned a few lessons that I would like to share.

First, share your ideas. Don't be so concerned with the nature of someone stealing your idea. The reality is, that most of the people you tell will neither care enough to take it, or in most cases, lack the drive, funding, or attention span required to actually take something to market. Let me assure you, it is not an easy road.

Secondly, if a company does take your idea, and you lack the necessary funds to take it through the judicial system, recognize that if they are making money with your idea, it was your idea. Your invention is turning a profit and if you can do it once, you can do it again. You should still file for patent protection. It's better to have something than nothing at all, but also recognize that a patent is only as good as you can afford to defend it. Don't be afraid to move on. You've already shown your work has validity, your vindication will come later.

Third, don't be a fool. I was foolish enough to send every document I had on a creation I had to a large company in the U.S. in hopes that they would act honorably. This wasn't the case and several years later, I saw it on the shelf of a retail chain, licensed under the very company I entrusted. I've moved on and learned that my foolishly misplaced trust cost me a few dollars. Don't make that same mistake. If you are going to get ripped off, make it look as though it's not going to be as easy as walking away with it without so much as a kiss on the cheek.

The evolution of cameras left to right

The last custom camera, donated to the Calgary Police Undercover Unit

Finally, and probably most importantly, recognize when the project has no worth to the industry you are pursuing. On the show Dragon's Den, all too often I see people who should have stopped years ago and didn't. They lacked the foresight to recognize that all they were doing was wasting time on a dead project instead of moving on to another project. Remember, there's always more than one idea rattling around in that brain cage of yours. I know this. I did the very thing I now recognize as a mistake. I spent a rather large sum of money on developing a cost effective pipe inspection camera system. I had distribution through the largest plumbing supply chains in north america. It took several years of R & D, thousands of dollars, thousands of hours and a huge strain on my relationship to the point where I almost ended up a single man.
My larger competitors could develop the product faster and had R & D dollars at their disposal. Within a year, they had a similar model to mine from a price point of view. Yet I refused to admit defeat. Foolish. In the end I finally let it go. Know thine enemy. While they succeeded where I failed, I gained a huge amount of experience and knowledge over how to establish vendor outlets, market trends, trade show knowledge and the list could go on. Hind sight however indicates that I should have jumped off of that flaming bus several blocks before.

If I could add one other small note. Don't be afraid to surround yourself with knowledgeable people. If you are trying to capture green house gas emissions, and lack the required knowledge to do so (as an example of course), find someone. Share the project and the fruits of your labor. Its better to have a small piece of pie, than no pie at all. I love pie. If you lack the business savvy to know when someone has you up against the wall, bring someone on board. Recognize your weaknesses and let others strengthen your project when you lack the ability.