Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Illinois

Invention development, submission and promotion scams

There are federal and state laws that may apply. The American Inventors Protection Act and state anti-fraud laws often give the victim of these notorious scams a right of action. Some of the scammers are operating pursuant to consent decrees from the FTC that require refunds. Some have been sued by the FTC and set up trust funds for payment of scam victims as part of settlements with the FTC. Some state attorney generals are active in pursuit of these scams (such as Missouri) while others do little or nothing against them. There are a few attorneys that take these cases on contingency (I am one.)although inventors should recognize that these scammers are experts at taking money under false pretenses and keeping the money they take. An inventor can talk to their local inventor group about the problem and may get some good guidance. The inventored.org website gives some contacts. The United Inventors Association also has good information.

I will review your facts and advise with the first half hour of consultation free.