Understanding IP Matters

The Biggest Retailer Was No Match for This Entrepreneur

January 06, 2022 Bruce Berman / Dan Brown Season 1 Episode 2
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Award-winning inventor Dan Brown on how his successful ‘Bionic Wrench’ was knocked off by the largest U.S. retailer and the patent battle that he both won and lost.

Invention starts with creative problem-solving
A patent that doesn’t solve the problem is a boat anchor; a ‘vanity’ right
Early on I knew I needed to understanding IP rights; reading patents is a form of research
I was committed to making the product in the U.S.
We won ‘willful infringement’ against Sears & Apex Tools
'I’ve seen the winds shift, especially for inventors'
'I don’t believe that patent quality today is any less than 40 years ago'
We have to stop the ‘gamification’ of the patent system
Building face shields early in the pandemic
Students: seek real-time problems that need solving now
Sell-one, give-one. It’s a win-win
What do you wish you had known earlier?