You can write your own PPA, but I recommend using the PatentWizard software (http://www.patentwizard.com) from Neustel Law. We use it in my office to write our PPAs, and it works great.

Make a list of the benefits your idea offers that similar products do not. Try to come up with at least three. Describe each benefit in one or two sentences. 2. Rank the value of each benefit on a numeric scale—with the benefit having the highest value being number one. 3. Create a one-line benefit statement for the number one benefit of your idea.

Here are some benefit statements that have helped my students and me to license our ideas: This basketball game adds exciting graphics to the backboard and gives you a better return on your money by better utilizing your Michael Jordan license.

Shortly after I left Worlds of Wonder, I formed a partnership with Russell Hicks, who had done the illustrations for Teddy Ruxpin. I would come up with an idea, and Russell would draw it out. I’d write up a benefit statement, and we’d create a sell sheet. Sometimes, we’d make an inexpensive mock-up of the idea, photograph it, and incorporate the

gain access to the directory is visit http://www.inventright.com/links and enter the username companies and the password inventx.

• A one-line benefit statement • A one-page sell sheet

So why in the world would you turn over control of your idea to someone else?

You’ve come up with a great idea and worked hard to perfect it. Now you want to put your stamp of ownership on it to ensure that someone, or some company, doesn’t steal your idea out from under you. But is rushing from the drawing board to the patent office really in your best interests? Probably not. And does a patent really guarantee that you own

It is also critical to have anyone who looks at your idea sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) first. When someone or some company signs your NDA, they’re promising to keep your idea and every detail about your idea a secret.