2006 Edison Inventors Challenge

It's Official! The 2006 Edison Inventors Challenge Inventing towards a better future for Southwest Florida

Do you have an idea that can be turned into a product that helps our environment, promotes efficiency or safety on our roads or in our homes, saves time and energy, or enriches the quality of our lives? The time is ripe for Floridians to do more than just accept the fleeting quality of life in Southwest Florida.

True to its mission, the Edison Inventors Association (EIA), a non profit educational organization with goals to promote creative and entrepreneurial success in our schools and community, has stepped up to plate to encourage and reward inventive Floridians.

June marks the beginning of a six month search to be known as The 2006 Edison Inventors Challenge Inventing towards a better future for Southwest Florida! The winner of the current top prize of $1,000 will be announced in December. The value of prizes may increase if local business partners wish to raise the ante and encourage development of new resources for their own product lines! Organizations, too, are welcome to award ingenuity enhancing their own targeted goals of improving life in Southwest Florida.

Any invention not currently on the market may be entered. The invention must be clearly proven to be safe and work as intended. Unproven ideas, even if based on sound scientific principles, will not qualify.
Is there an entry fee? No! However, EIA membership is required! First year dues are: $35 for an individual, $55 for a family and $100 for a business. A contestant must be considered an independent inventor or meet the U.S. Patent Office definition of 'small entity status'. (See http://www.uspto.gov )

You may also qualify for the $2,000 Sotenberg Grant competition! Only first time patent applicants and novice inventors need apply. If you have had your first patent for less than one year's time, you are eligible. Check out http://www.edisoninventors.org for more information

Contestants must submit a brief summary of 200 words or less (lengthy submissions will not qualify) to include a description of the uniqueness of the invention, its application and benefits for Southwest Florida and its residents. Selection of semifinalists will be chosen from this group.

Semifinalist presentations will be made before the EIA membership at one of several meetings, July through November. Finalists will go before a panel of judges in early December. The winners will be announced and the awards made during the December 2006 EIA Membership Banquet.

The EIA retains the rights to adjust the time and location of announcing the winners. The decision of the judges is final. Caution is advised as the selection process may not reflect the actual market potential or future success of a product. The E.I.A., Inc. can not guarantee in any manner whatsoever any intellectual property protection with the public exposure of an inventor's ideas.

Suggestions or advice are offered in good faith. The inventor assumes all risks in acting on the information provided.

Submit all questions, membership requests and contest entries to:
Edison Inventors Challenge,
c/o EIA, Inc., P.O. Box 07398,
Fort Myers, FL 33919-7398.

Contestants are most welcome to attend one or more meetings of the Edison Inventors Association on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM in the Edison Museum on the grounds of the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers, Florida.

Meeting information and parties interested in participating as Challenge Partners can contact (239)275-4332. Please leave a message to enable a return call.

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