Mom Invented

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These FAQs will be modified over the course of the entry process as questions arrive. If there is a disparity between this FAQ document and the Official Rules document, the Official Rules document shall prevail.

For complete details and definitions see the full Official Rules at: www.mominvented.com. No purchase necessary to participate.

Submission Process & Restrictions

Q: My invention is actually a product which I am already selling but I am interested in entering it for the contest. May I enter?
A: Yes! As long as you are comfortable and agree to the terms of the contest and licensing agreement. Winners will be licensing their product to Mom Invented® which means you would no longer be making and selling it yourself.

Q: I want to make a prototype to illustrate my invention. What can I use?
A: Get crafty. Use other products that you can modify, grab household items, visit a garage sale, hardware or craft store.

Q: The Invention Summary and Confidential Non-Disclosure Form has a field for a signature from the submitting party and the receiving party.  Who is the submitting party and who is the receiving party?
A: The inventor is the submitting party. Mom Inventors, Inc., Ginsey Industries, Anna’s Linens, and West & Associates, A PC. are the receiving parties.

Q: I am concerned with the risk of sharing my idea.  What assurance do I have that my idea will not be stolen?
A: If proper submission procedures are followed, the information submitted will be maintained in confidence.

Q: Will Mom Inventors, Inc. be signing and returning a copy of the NDA?
A: No signature is necessary from Mom Inventors, Inc. (West & Associates, Mom Inventors, Ginsey Industries, and Anna’s Linens promulgated the form, they have inherently agreed to it) and no materials will be returned to the inventor, per the contest rules.  You should keep copies of all materials if you have concern. No public witness or notary is required.

Q: Can I submit multiple inventions for consideration?
A: Yes, two submissions per inventor are eligible for consideration but to be qualified both must be accompanied by complete and signed submission documents. However, it is often advisable to focus on the strongest invention.

Q: I am not a mom. Am I eligible for entry?
A: Promotion is open only to female inventors who justifiably consider themselves to be or to have been a mom, who are legal residents of California and who are 18 years of age or older.

Q: If I don’t have a patent can I still enter the “Challenge”?
A: Yes, the contest is open to inventions with or without patents.

Q: Can I submit an invention that is not a baby product?
A: Yes you can.  Submissions can fall into any category as long as they are in compliance with all other entry requirements. However, home goods and juvenile items that would naturally sell best in an Anna’s Linens store will have the greatest chance of success.

Q: I do not wish to enter the contest but am interested in submitting my invention to Mom Invented® Can I do this?
A: Unless otherwise announced, Mom Invented® will not be accepting or reviewing any new outside invention submissions at this time.  Any inventions sent to Mom Invented®., Ginsey Industries, Anna’s Linens, or anyone else directly outside the parameters of this promotion or another announced promotion without prior permission will not be reviewed or returned and will be destroyed.

Q: Do I need to secure a patent or any other legal protections prior to submitting?
A: This is a personal decision but not a requirement of this promotion.

Q: I am not sure what information you want on the submitted video media.
A: We recommend that the inventor appear on the video. The clip should not exceed 3 minutes, should offer a bit about the inventor and her family. Most importantly we encourage enthusiasm, and information about the invention. Keep in mind these suggestions: (1) the creativity and originality of the entry; (2) the quality and persuasiveness of entrant’s reasoning on why the invention has value; (3) the benefit to people; (4) the marketability of the invention. (5) complexity or simplicity of production, (6) inventor’s enthusiasm.

Q: Is a prototype required?
A: Do not send prototypes. However, photographs or video clips of prototypes and descriptions are recommended as they are very helpful in understanding the invention. At a minimum a clear drawing and written description are required.

Q: I am unable to download the entry documents from my computer. Will you send me hard copies?
A: We are not able to send hard copies or any documents for this promotion. We recommend trying to locate another computer from which you might be able to download and print these materials such as a local library.

Q: I just have a question. Is there anyone I can contact for further information or clarification?
A:  This FAQ document may be updated throughout the period of the promotion.  If there is a question you feel has not been addressed here, please send an email to info@mominventors.com with the word “FAQ” in the subject heading.  We will consider adding it to this FAQ list on our website.

Q: I noticed that the winner will be assigning her patent to Mom Invented® What does that mean?
A: That means that in return for the winning contract, Mom Invented® will become the owner with all rights to the patent.  Mom Invented®. will be responsible for all future marketing, sales, product development and distribution of the invention and pay royalties to the inventor as outlined in the rules.  This is an important consideration for inventors wishing to submit inventions for which they have already secured or filed for a patent. This promotion has been structured in a way so that a patent is not a requirement but the invention is assigned to Mom Inventors, Inc. whether there is a patent on file or not. Mom Inventors, Inc. will be responsible for filing and paying for any future legal documents such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Q: Are you paying the winner any thing other than what is outlined in the terms of the promotion?
A: No additional compensation beyond the first prize and the royalties will be paid to the winner.

Q: I don’t have access to a video camera. Can I submit without a video?
A: Video is not required but recommended.

Q: If I previously submitted an incomplete package, can I send the rest of the components separately?
A: Yes, however, Mom Invented®. or its partners in this promotion assume no responsibility for the failure to properly associate or review disparate elements of a submission.

Q: Can I call or receive confirmation that my submission has been received?
A: We are unable to provide any confirmation.  Submissions are sent to a United States Post Office Box.  If you wish to have confirmation of delivery you should inquire with your postal carrier about delivery confirmation options.

Q: Can I ship my submission using FedEx or UPS?
A: NO! It is only possible to have something delivered to a P.O. Box using the US Postal service.  However, the US Postal service has several delivery service options in addition to its regular mail service. The address is:

Mom Invented®
PO Box 830
Alamo, CA  94507

If sent via Express Mail, the office number of 925-932-6674 may be used.

Q: I have an invention that is already on the market. Am I eligible to enter your contest?
A: Yes, with the understanding that you agree to all terms of the agreement upon submission and agree to transfer all rights to existing Intellectual Property and current distribution to Mom Invented®

Q: How much time do I have to make my submission?
A: For eligibility, complete submissions MUST be received by 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time, February 20, 2010.

Q: Can I pick up an application or deliver my submission to Anna’s Linens.
A: The only time an application can be picked up or submitted at Anna’s Linens is at our launch events on January 22, and January 23rd. Applications can be downloaded online.

Q: If I don’t wish to enter this promotion or am not comfortable with these terms but wish to submit my product to Mom Invented® directly, can I do that?
A: Not at this time unless otherwise announced.

Q: Is there any purchase necessary to participate?
A: No.

Q: Can a single submission have multiple inventors?
A: Yes, however, the prize will be only paid to the inventor designated on the submission documentation as the first inventor and co-inventors agree that any future disagreements between inventors are to be settled by them without involving Mom Invented® or its partners in the dispute. Further, any depiction of the inventor on the package will include only the first inventor unless otherwise agreed.

Q: I am an employee of Anna’s Linens, Ginsey Industries or Mom Inventors, Inc. Am I eligible to participate?
A: No, employees and the immediate families of employees are ineligible to participate. Immediate family includes children, parents, step parents, and siblings of employees.

Q: If I have a question that has not been addressed in these FAQ’s, may I call and speak with someone?
A: No. If you have questions about the event, you may send an email to Info@mominventors.com with “Product Search Question” in the subject heading. We will either answer you directly or refer you to this FAQ list which will be updated from time to time.

Q: If I don’t live in California can I still submit?
A: Valid California identification or other proof of California residency will be required to be considered a qualified submission.

Terms

Q: What is the prize?
A: The winner will receive $1000 in cash, a $350 gift card for Anna’s Linens store and a licensing contract with Mom Invented®.

The winning product will be marketed under the Mom Invented® brand and launched in Anna’s Linens stores. The mom inventor’s photo is featured on our product’s packaging.*

Q: The contest states that the winner will receive a licensing agreement. What does that mean?
A: Mom Invented® has relationships with large partners who oversee production and distribution of all current and future Mom Invented® products. The winning inventors will licensing their product to Mom Invented®, meaning transferal of rights to the product, to Mom Invented®. Mom Invented® and its partners will then do all necessary work relating to development, production, legal filings, and sales. In return the inventor will receive a 20% share of Mom Inventors, Inc. distribution royalty.

Q: Is this royalty rate fair? How much will I really earn?
A: This is a personal decision. Licensing is a way for an inventor to get a product to market without incurring the costs and challenges associated with launching a consumer product ranging from legal filings, design, molds, safety testing, production, overseas freight, warehousing, insurance, EDI setup, etc.. That is before a sale is even made. And, even after all that expense, sales are never guaranteed. Our licensing model is different from a typical “1% to 4% Net Sales” model due to our relationships with our partners which we feel gives our Mom Invented® products a greater chance of success. However, the actual payment to inventors on a successful product is typically comparable to the Net Sales model mentioned above.

Q: If I enter do I still own the rights to my invention? If I win do I still own the rights to my invention?
A: This is an important consideration. By entering you are agreeing to the terms in advance. If you are a winner, all rights to your invention, any patents or other associated intellectual property will be assigned to Mom Inventors, Inc. In the interest of maximizing the future marketability of any winning product, Mom Inventors, Inc. and its partners reserve the right to improve, update and expand designs to any winning submission. This could mean that additional inventors would also be listed on future patent applications with the original inventor.

Miscellaneous

Q: Why is this just for California moms?
A: There are many possible ways to conduct product searches. This is our second this year and we felt that it would be great to create an opportunity for inventors to actually present to us in person. In addition, we have partnered with leading home goods retailer, Anna’s Linens who, like Mom Invented®, has a very strong presence and commitment in California. We look forward to creating future searches for inventors outside California to participate.

Q: What about dads?
A: We appreciate and value dads and we are glad that many take advantage of our online tools and other inventing resources. However, our brand and business focus is on moms. Therefore, we only launch products developed and submitted by moms.

Q: I missed the announcement but am interested in more information.  Where can I get more information on the announcement?
A: Please visit the California Product Search main page at www.mominventors.com/submit-an-idea/california-product-search

Q: Will my product only be sold at Anna’s Linens?  Can it eventually be marketed and sold in other stores as well?
A: It will be initially launched at Anna’s Linens, but we will do our best to maximize the revenue for the item. After a launch period, it will be introduced to all other retailers we deem appropriate.

Q: How do I know you won’t steal my invention?
A: If we take a product to market, we prefer to license from an inventor as that is a core to our mission and therefore, we don’t have a reason to “steal” an invention. It should also be clearly understood that many times products are submitted to us that are very similar to products that have been submitted to us previously from people in completely different regions or are already on the market or in some phase of development. We have numerous products in various stages of development at all times.

Q: I have entered your California Product Search. I understand that there is only one winner. I wanted to ask if you would ever license products that did not win?
A: Yes! If we see other items that are a sure fit, we would certainly approach the inventor about licensing her product to us.

*There may be some cases in which the packaging may not carry the inventor’s photo.

CA Product Search | Official Rules | FAQs | Online Entry Form | Entry Form PDF | Spanish Forms