Article written and submitted by Amber Ramsey with Learn it For Life

Why Businesses Need Different Consultants for Expert Advice Many businesses and start-ups fail within their first few years of operation due to market competition. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to achieve your business goals, seeking the appropriate expert advice should be a priority. Skilled consultants assist enterprises in working efficiently and improving their execution.
ExpertiseA consultant focuses on narrow areas and brings the in-depth and detailed expertise necessary for your organization. Apart from their comprehensive training, established advisors have worked with many businesses and understand most of the issues you might face.
Most specialists know the latest trends, the most effective business marketing strategies, and the best ways to beat the competition. With over 55,000 business consultants in the United States, you can work with the best and acquire the most efficient models and methods.
Cost SavingsBusinesses spend massively on their operations, but you can cut the cost of running your enterprise if you set the right strategies. Experts expect companies to spend over $240 billion on mobile advertising alone in 2022. An effective way to minimize this expenditure is to work with experienced business consultants.
When you work with an expert from the beginning, you'll avoid wasting money and time on strategies that won’t work for your business. Specialists have your best interests at heart and will guide you toward the best outcome.
PerspectiveEvery business’s needs are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all technique that guarantees success. If particular strategies don’t work for your enterprise, you should find more effective techniques. A business consultant can help you avoid spinning your wheels on methods that aren't productive.
Insight Into Best IT Solutions With approximately 5 billion people worldwide using the internet, information technology is an essential part of any business today. Companies need to utilize the best IT strategies, and a consultant can steer your business toward them.
Types of Consultants The business consultant you hire for your organization depends on your needs. There are different kinds of business specialists, so you need to identify your requirements. Here are the types of consultants you can hire:
  • Financial advisory experts
  • Operation consultants
  • HR consultants
  • Risk and compliance specialists
  • IT consultants
  • Sales consultants
  • Marketing consultants
Finding the Right Consultant for Your Business When looking for a business consultant to help you achieve your company’s goals, it’s vital to consider a few critical factors. Ensure you understand your industry and the needs of your brand. You can get started with these techniques:
  • Ask the right questions.
  • Review the candidate’s background.
  • Search consultant marketplaces.
  • Attend industry events.
  • Define your company's goals.
  • Determine your budget scope.
When choosing your business entity, work with an experienced financial consultant to help you throughout the process. If you want to form an LLC, be aware that different states have different regulations. A formation service will help you understand the rules of forming an LLC in Arkansas and you won't need to spend thousands of dollars on legal fees.
Mining Expertise for Business Success
A consultant can be a vital asset for your business to succeed. To avoid the common pitfalls many brands face, make sure you work with an expert. For more information and access to advice, visit the Inventors Club of Northeast Arkansas today.

Image via Pexels

Local

Picture
You don't have to go much farther. Local industry experts can assist in the design, manufacture, and marketing of your invention.

New Resource Company

http://www.johnvilardi.com



Good resource for a sell sheet and graphic designs of your product and what it could look like if a prototype was built.  He worked for one of my clients and did a great job.

Robert


​A-STATE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBTDC)
  • Provides general business consulting.
  • Includes reviewing product ideas, and providing a list of fulfillment services for patent, design and manufacture, and marketing.
  • Contact Robert Bahn, Lead Business Consultant, (870) 972-3517.      rbahn@astate.edu
  • http://asbtdc.org/lab2launch/            good link for upcoming innovative grants that could be available.


We have a new suggestion about a web page that should be helpful to inventors.
 
     www.uprinting.com/copyright-guide-trademarks-and-patents-in-print-and-beyond.html


This suggestion comes from Erin who suggested it to the Library media specialist ( LouAnne) in Wyoming. The group is working on a project  "Academic Integrity" lesson plan for their media class.  They are looking at plagiarism, copyrights, fair use, trademarks etc.










Arkansas State Library
The Arkansas State Library is designated a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As a PTRC, they can offer help with:
  • General information regarding Patents, Trademarks, Copyright and Trade Secrets
  • Patent and Trademark search assistance
  • Access to PubWEST and PubEAST Patent databases
  • List of Arkansas Patent attorneys
  • Backfile collections & current issues of Patents 
  • Supplemental Reference Materials
 
Need more information? Our USPTO trained reference staff is happy to answer questions and provide training to inventors, businesses, attorneys and their staff or other interested persons with their U.S. patent or trademark issues.
Please note that while reference staff can assist with using the patent resources, they cannot fill out forms or do the actual search. For legal advice, please contact a registered patent attorney or agent. More specialized questions should be directed to the USPTO.
For more patent or trademark information or assistance, call us at 501-682-2053 or email us at reference@library.arkansas.gov.
Also, here’s some information that might be helpful for your site:
State Trademarks:
To register a trademark within Arkansas, contact the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial (UCC) Services at 888-233-0325. Or send mail to: Business/Commercial Services, 1401 West Capitol, Ste. 250, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.
Search Trademarks Registered with the State of Arkansas (Secretary of State's Office):  




We have been notified that there is a new book on inventing available on the market by a 96 year old inventor.
  • He is an aeronautical engineer PhD.  The link to the book for sale on amazon is:







https://www.amazon.com/Wannabe-Inventor-Start-Here-invention/dp/1720130833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540413532&sr=8-1&keywords=alvin+sacks+books

​
  • If anyone buys the book before the November 15th meeting please bring your copy of the book so we can pass around at the meeting.













Arkansas State University has a new program. A-State Innovate
       http://astateinnovate.com/





PATENT ATTORNEYS

  • Steve Schrantz​
  • Steve Schrantz, Schrantz Law Firm, PLLC, 1000 East Matthews, Suite C, Jonesboro, AR 72401, (870) 275-7838.           schrantzlaw@gmail.com
Schrantz Law Firm in Jonesboro, AR - Craighead County is a business listed in the categories Attorneys, Copyright, Patent & Trademark Attorneys, Offices of Lawyers, Attorneys Patent Law, Legal Services and Attorneys Patent Trademark & Copyright Law and offers PATENTS TRADEMARKS COPYRIGHTS, AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION and PATENT LAW. 
Categories: Attorneys, Copyright, Patent & Trademark Attorneys, Offices of Lawyers, Attorneys Patent Law, Legal Services, Attorneys Patent Trademark & Copyright Law    Certifications: REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY
Services:    PATENTS TRADEMARKS COPYRIGHTS, AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, PATENT LAW
 

  • Joe Calhoun, (501) 374-1700. Works in Little Rock but does come to Jonesboro on the third Thursday of each month. Joe Calhoun <Joe.Calhoun@CalhounLawFirm.com                                       http://calhounlawfirm.com/
  • Jonesboro Office    6140 Southwest Drive  870-9330110
Joe Calhoun has over twenty-five years of legal and related business experience in commercial  litigation and client counseling, especially in the intellectual property fields. His primary practice areas include the creation or registration of intellectual property rights, the guiding of clients’ commercialization of those rights, the assignment or licensing of such rights to or from others, and the enforcement of (or defense against) infringement claims.
After earning his  Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University (Biology and Psychology), and graduating from law school at the University of San Francisco, he subsequently returned home to Little Rock, Arkansas as a law clerk at the Arkansas Court of Appeals. Joe then entered private practice with a well known Little Rock business law firm, departing as a partner on the eve of 2000 to better concentrate his practice in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and business competition.
"Joe's informative videos concerning intellectual property law topics can be found at    CalhounLawFirm.com
  or at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed4GaXHhlQc                  IP Law
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGh7IUg0A34                    Patenting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csrgDFQBX2M                 Copyright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3twg_OrTJHU                    Trademark

​



INFORMATION ON 3D PRINTING AND PROTOTYPING
  • Jim Melescue, (870) 761-3191

Statewide

Picture
www.hometownplastics.com

INJECTION MOLDERS
Local to Jonesboro/NE Arkansas

Hometown Plastics LLC.
Plastic Injection Molding & Precision Machining Services 
 
6888 Hwy 18 East, Lake City AR,72437
 
Email: Hometownplastics@gmail.com
Website: www.Hometownplastics.com
 
Remit Correspondence to: 
Hometown Plastics LLC.
P.O. Box 600 
Lake City AR, 72437

Others in the State

Molding the Future

State of Arkansas Contact:
CONTACTS FOR QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
  • Phil Plyler, Director Client Services, Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, www.mfgsolutions.org, 900 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 320, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 683-4410 – office, (501)-837-6837 – mobile, (501) 683-4420 – fax.


Government Organizations

Innovate Arkansas     ​http://www.innovatearkansas.org/



TTAG 

Technology Transfer Assistance Grant Program (TTAG)
Purpose                    The Technology Transfer Assistance Grant Program (TTAG) assists Arkansas’ enterprises in developing or improving products or processes through the transfer of technical solutions to technology-based, industry-driven problems, thus enhancing that enterprise’s market competitiveness.

Program Description                      The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) provides limited financial support for the transfer and deployment of innovative technology. AEDC will fund up to $3,750 of costs associated with transferring new or existing technology from a qualified applicant — such as a public or private enterprise, laboratory, college or university — to an enterprise based in Arkansas. Up to $5,000 of total project costs will be considered, with the first $2,500 funded by the Authority; the remaining $2,500 is cost-shared equally (50:50) between the Authority and the enterprise. Each enterprise is eligible to receive assistance for two technology transfer projects per year. Projects are evaluated on a competitive basis.

Eligible Users                   AEDC defines eligibility as broadly as possible to encourage submissions that reflect the greatest potential for project success. Qualified eligible applicants include one or more technology transfer resource providers who possess or have the capability to locate innovative technology to transfer to a specific Arkansas-based enterprise.

How to Participate               All qualified applicants must complete the on-line application at the link below. The application must address the transfer of innovative technology from a qualified Resource Provider to an Arkansas based enterprise.

EvaluationProjects will be evaluated by AEDC on every other Thursday (see schedule below). Evaluation criteria include the demonstration of support resources available to ensure probable project success, as well as technical and commercial feasibility of the project. The project must have a time frame of no longer than 90 days.

How to Use a TTAGSchedule of TTAG Meeting DatesApplication Deadline: Applications must be submitted by the Friday before the meeting in which they are to be reviewed.


Rules, Guidelines and FormThe following forms are pdf documents and require the free Adobe Reader to view or print.
Contact    Braden Duke
Senior Manager Commercialization
900 West Capitol, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 682-8695
(501) 682-7499 (fax)
Email: Braden.Duke@ArkansasEDC.com

© 2018 Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions
  •   Privacy Policy  AEDC-MS OFFICE   •   900 West Capitol, Suite 400   •   Little Rock, AR 72201

Other Information 

Quick Guide to the difference between a Trademark and Copyright.   Suggested by Jim Colbert who teaches a group at his local library. Members of the group suggested the link below would be helpful in looking at Trademarks and Copyrights.

Trademarks and Copyrights: Understanding the Difference
https://aizmanlaw.com/trademarks-and-copyrights-understanding-the-difference/

More Intellectual Resources on Patents and Copyright and Trademarks   As suggested by AVA
​Thanks AVA for your input on this site. Robert

Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights
Introduction to Intellectual Property
Copyrights Part 1
What is Intellectual Property?

The Scope of Protection Offered by Intellectual Property Law
History and Sources of Intellectual Property Law

Governing Law, Courts and Agencies

Jurisdiction and Venue in Cases of Intellectual Property and Remedies Available
The Concept & History of Copyright and Sources of Law
Distinguishing Copyrights from Rights in Other Property
What Can be Copyrighted?
Initial Ownership and Section 201
What is a Trademark?
Acquiring Trademark Rights
Registration

§1052 Bars to RegistrationTrade Secret Protection Overview

The Uniform Trade Secret Act & State Acts

Contractual Agreements Protecting Trade Secrets

Defenses to Trade Secret Actions

Trademarks Part 2Loss of Trademark Rights §1064(3)

Infringement & Likelihood of Confusion
Trademark Dilution

Incontestability and Fair Use

Trademark Licensing & Assignment Agreements
The “I” Issues: The Internet & International Trademark

Patents 
Part 1Patents
Part 2
Origins & Underlying Concepts of Patent Law

Patentable Subject Matter

Utility, Novelty, Statutory Bar, & Nonobviousness

The Patent Application Process
Patent Infringement

Defenses to Patent Infringement

Remedies for Patent Infringement

Patent Licensing & Assignment Agreements

International Patent & the First-to-File System


Copyrights Part 2
Trademarks Part 1
Trade Secrets & State Laws Protecting Intellectual Property
Logistics of Ownership & Registered Copyrights

Music, Movies and Computer Software Copyrights
Exclusive Rights Granted Under Title 17, §106
Copyright Infringement & Remedies (Title 17, Chapter 5)
Licensing & Assignment Agreements
Fair Use Doctrine (Title 17, §107)

GENERAL
Link to the Arkansas State University Library on more info about Patents, Trademarks, etc:
http://libguides.astate.edu/smallbusiness/patents
https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center/training/patents-trademarks-copyrights
Inventor’s Resources:  http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/ 
Scam prevention:  http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/scam_prevention/index.jsp
Patent Info:  http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/patents.jsp 
Trademark Info:  http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/trademarks.jsp
Patent vs. Trademark vs. Copyright:  http://www.uspto.gov/faq/g120005.jsp

​
It was recently suggested that invent tors need to be aware of the services of Innovate Arkansas.   I have some information (links) below that should be helpful.
 
Receive Innovate Arkansas Newsletter      Look under Newsletter   put in email address and hit Join
http://www.innovatearkansas.org/blog/post/1609/innovate-arkansas-new-website-launch
 
Link to apply to Innovate Arkansas    http://www.innovatearkansas.org/apply-now
 
Home page for Innovate Arkansas     http://www.innovatearkansas.org/
 
Check out their twitter feed      https://twitter.com/innovateAR
Facebook feed    https://www.facebook.com/Innovate-Arkansas-102614560967/
LinkedIn feed     https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1200907/profile


​​
​A Young Inventor's Guide to Trademarks and Patents:  
​   ​https://www.marcaria.com/articles/A-Young-Inventors-Guide-to-Trademarks-and-Patents.asp


More information from the USPTO including free services

Greetings from the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Team.
 
From April 2015 to March 2019, nearly 2,000 individuals have been matched with volunteer registered patent practitioners through the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program. Inventors and innovators that come for assistance to Small Business Development Centers and Small Business Administration programs may be eligible for pro bono assistance in the preparation and filing of patent applications.
 
Registered patent practitioners are uniquely qualified to help financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses file patent applications. The local patent pro bono program in your region is available to match eligible inventors with the volunteer practitioners. Please see www.uspto.gov/probonopatents for more information. The local program screens applicants using criteria that include: (1) household income; (2) knowledge of the patent system; and (3) possession of an actual invention (not merely an idea).
 
The USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program also assists inventors pro bono. The Law School Clinic Certification Program allows law students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic program to practice Intellectual Property Law before the USPTO under the strict guidance of a Law School Faculty Clinic Supervisor. The program currently consists of students practicing in both patent and trademark law before the USPTO. Please see www.uspto.gov/LawSchoolClinic for more information and a list of participating law schools.
 
We welcome the opportunity to speak to your organization about the Patent Pro Bono Program. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
 
As a courtesy, we ask that you forward this email to the members or clients of your organization who may be interested. We believe that together we can make the Patent Pro Bono Program a lasting success.
 
The links to USPTO Inventor Assistance Resources in the attachments may be helpful to your group. We ask that you disseminate these links via email or by linking them directly from the SBA/SBDC website.
 
Thank you,
 
The USPTO Patent Pro Bono Team
Office of Enrollment and Discipline
United States Patent and Trademark Office
www.uspto.gov/probonopatents
probono@uspto.gov
 

The USPTO Pro Se Assistance Program
(https://www.uspto.gov/ProSePatents) helps inventors who have chosen to file patent applications without a patent attorney. A weekday phone line is open 8 AM – 5 PM EST for inventors to ask questions about their patent applications.
 
Email: innovationdevelopment@uspto.gov
Toll free phone number: 1-866-767-3848
Post Mail:
Pro Se Assistance, Mail Stop 24
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450
 
The Patent Pro Bono Program
The USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program works with regional programs nationwide to match qualifying inventors with attorneys. They can be reached at probono@uspto.gov .
Website: www.uspto.gov/probonopatents
 
Patent Electronic Business Center
The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) assists customers with the various Patent Electronic Systems which include filing their electronic patent application submissions via the Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web) and with the review of patent applications in Public and Private PAIR, as well as supporting customers while Searching the Patent and Application Full-Text Image Databases. The Electronic Business Center serves the IP community with extended daytime and after-hours technical assistance on a wide range of support topics related to these systems. The EBC can be reached at phone numbers toll-free: 866-217-9197 and local: 571-272-4100 and by email at ebc@uspto.gov.
Website:  https://www.uspto.gov/Ebc
 
Scam Prevention
The USPTO offers a series of questions and tips for inventors to help them identify a reputable attorney or patent agent.
Website: https://www.uspto.gov/PatentScamPrevention
 
USPTO Search Engine
Before dedicating capital to an invention, many inventors find it helpful to search and see what is already out there. The USPTO Full Text and Image database offers searching of every patent database based on text queries.
Website: http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm

 
Law School Clinic Certification Program
The USPTO has partnered with law schools around the country to create patent and trademark clinics for inventors. Law students work under the supervision of a qualified attorney on patent and trademark applications for inventors.
Website: www.uspto.gov/LawSchoolClinic
 
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers
The Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRC) are a nationwide network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the USPTO to support the public with trademark and patent assistance. PTRC staff are trained by the USPTO for inventor assistance.
Website: https://www.uspto.gov/PTRC
 
USPTO Offices
The USPTO has offices around the nation which are designed for certain regions. The offices are headquarters, Midwest, Rocky Mountain, West Coast and South/Southwest. Each office has a regional outreach officer and conducts outreach in its specific region.
 
USPTO Headquarters
USPTO Headquarters, located in Alexandria Virginia, serves the following states for outreach events: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Puerto Rico. Public events at headquarters can be found and registered for here: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events/atlantic-region-events
 
Silicon Valley Regional Office
The Silicon Valley Regional Office offers monthly programming that can be registered for online. A full list of events is accessible here: https://www.uspto.gov/SiliconValley . The Silicon Valley office serves the West Coast region, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
 
Rocky Mountain Regional Office
The Rocky Mountain Regional Office, located in Denver Colorado, serves the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. A full list of events is accessible here: https://www.uspto.gov/RockyMountain
 
Midwest Regional Office
The Midwest Regional Office, located in Detroit Michigan, oversees patent programming for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. A full list of events for this office is available here: https://www.uspto.gov/Detroit . Walk-in services are available in every regional office.
 

 
Texas Regional Office
The regional office for the south and southwest, serving Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, is located in Dallas, Texas. A full list of events is accessible here: https://www.uspto.gov/Texas
 
USPTO Events
All USPTO events open to the public – from public hearings to patent trainings – can be found and registered for here: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events
 
USPTO Fee Schedule
The fee schedule for patent application filing, searches, PCT filings and general service fees is available online.
Website:  https://www.uspto.gov/Fees
 
Certificate Training Course
The USPTO offers a free certificate training course in basic patent training. This program is designed to inform and educate independent inventors and small businesses about patents.
Website: https://www.uspto.gov/video/cbt/certpck/index.htm
 
Trademark Assistance Center
The Trademark Assistance Center is the main support center for all customers, from first-time filers to legal professionals and experienced trademark applicants. Trademarks staff can answer questions on a variety of trademark related topics.
Website:  https://www.uspto.gov/TrademarkAssistance
 
Trademark Videos
The Trademark Office (the “T” in PTO) has its own video series, which provides small businesses basic information on trademarks.
Website: https://www.uspto.gov/trademark/trademark-videos
 
 

BOOKS
Have a book that's been helpful to further your patent/inventing career? Let us know.
MAGAZINES
Let us know if there's a magazine that has helped you along your inventing journey. It just might help someone else.
VIDEOS