DIVERS WAYS OF EXPLOITING AN INVENTION
Having advanced his invention to the stage of having obtained a
footing in the market, the inventor has reached the "Parting of the
Ways," and now is the time for him to decide whether he is to sell
his invention, or to keep it.
If he decides to sell, his likely buyers are those who are in that
line of business, and who are generally willing to add to their
established business some patented novelty in their own line, that
will give them exclusive use, and special advertising facilities,
thereby increasing their profits, and enhancing their prestige;
or some capitalist on the alert for a profitable investment, and
congenial occupation.
The decision of the inventor must depend upon the nature of the
invention, its profitableness, his own financial resources, his
health, his energies, temperament, and the likelihood of his
invention being imitated, and his mechanical and financial ability to
protect it.
[Illustration: "A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH."]
Generally speaking the proverb about "A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush," is very applicable to inventions, and the inventor
who is blessed with a grain of prudence in his make-up, will think
carefully, and his best, before he refuses a fair offer.
If he desires to sell, a sum of money outright is better than a
royalty.
Should it not be practical or desirable to dispose of it, he must
make preparations to supply the market in constantly increased
proportions.
Owing to the various kinds of skilled labor, numerous expensive
tools, machinery, high rents for suitable manufacturing places
necessary for the building of machinery, requiring the investment
of large capital, and the devotion of a great deal of time for
organization and supervision, many inventors find it convenient,
even profitable, to have their machines built under contract by
some established manufacturing concern which is properly equipped
for that special kind of work. This in many cases is a very wise
business-like course to pursue, as it eliminates the necessity of a
large investment, and leaves the inventor free to devote himself to
improving and enlarging the field for his invention, and to attend to
the business end to better advantage.