This article is dedicated  to all past inventors and to encourage new inventors in the future.

In the past, when one had an inventive idea, one was not sure if somebody would have the same concept or already had patent. Normally, inventors have to visit a Federal patent and trademark depository library, access a private and expensive online service hoping to find some answers. It is too much time-consuming. Thanks to the Internet. Now with a few mouse clicks away you can do online patent search for information needed and connect to other inventors, potential inventors and engineers as well. Following are some useful web sites that can help you on your way of new inventions.

You can start surfing inventor forums and online patent database created by IBM at http://patents.ibm.com You also can find online support groups, chat rooms, bulletin boards, patent and trademark databases at all the following web sites.

http://www.thomasregister.com lists manufacturers and brand names by Thomas Publishing company.

http://www.inventorsdigest.com is online version of the magazine of the United Inventors Association and lists a number of resources, including timely news for inventors.

http://www.uspto.gov is a database containing text and images for patents and registered and pending trademarks.

http://www.GetMoreDone.com  - Valuable tips on improving personal productivity.

http://www.conceptocreation.com - Dedicated to helping inventors move forward with their ideas.

http://www.Inventorfraud.com - Information on voiding invention promotion firms that might generate some complaints.

http://tenonline.org/art-inv.html - Useful tips for inventors

http://www.uiausa.org - Look for tips and warnings about marketing companies and lists of other inventor organizations.

http://www.PatentCafe.com - Useful information for inventors.

http://inventors.about.com/cs/famousinventions/  -  Information on famous inventions.

http://www.invent.org - The National Inventors Hall of Fame

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.inventors?hl=en - Alt.inventors, or search Googles Newsgroup archives

Finally, if you are more careful, you might surf  a document containing useful information for inventors. It relates to steps they may need to take in the process of commercializing an invention. You can download the .pdf document from the following link: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSI/be/bpguide.pdf

Happy surfing and inventing.