A Guide for Inventors who want to Sell their Creations

Windsor PL is working on a pathfinder of government and other websites that would be of particular interest to inventors. I would welcome any additions and corrections. (Thanks to Mark for providing this opportunity.)

Tentative title: FROM MINDSTORMS TO MARKET

PROTECTING YOUR CREATION
Canada. Canada Business. About Intellectual Property. “Learn why intellectual property is important to business and how to apply it to your ideas, creations and inventions.”

Canada. Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Intellectual Property Toolkit. Look here to answer such questions as: what is intellectual property? How can businesses apply for and effectively use IP as part of their operating strategy.

Toronto Public Library. Canadian Patent Searching [at TPL]: a guide. The pathfinder describes the steps for basic patent searching, using materials held at the Toronto Public Library. Some resources are freely available in online versions.

SETTING UP YOUR BUSINESS
Canada. Canada Business. Developing Your Ideas. This site provides help towards deciding if a business idea has profit potential, especially for first time entrepreneurs. 

Canada. Canada Business. Licensing your Product. Because inventors may lack the capital or expertise to manufacture and distribute their creations, licensing can offer a practical way to bring their products or technology to market. This page identifies some first steps towards licensing.

Canadian Innovation Centre. This not-for-profit organization helps other businesses “turn their innovations into market-ready products and services.”

Ontario. Ministry of Research & Innovation. Programs and Funding: Companies. A listing from the Government of Ontario of assistance available to companies to support research and innovation activities.

GOVERNMENT STANDARDS
Canada. Canada Business. Agriculture and Agri-Food Regulations. If your new product or technology involves food, look here to identify relevant government regulations.

Canada. Health Canada. Consumer Product Safety. Guidelines and Policies. This page contains lists of links to regulatory requirements for a range of consumer products.

Canada. Health Canada. Consumer Product Safety. Quick Reference Guide to the Hazardous Product Act for Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers. Could your invention be considered a Hazardous Product? Look here for examples.

Canada. Health Canada. Consumer Product Safety. [Cosmetics and Personal Care Products] Information for Industry and Professionals. Cosmetics and personal care products, both for people and animals, must also meet government standards. These links provide guidelines.

Canada. Health Canada. Consumer Product Safety. Industry Guide to Canadian Safety Requirements for Children’s Toys and Related Products. More background reading specifically for makers of toys and related products for children.

Canada. Health Canada. Natural Health Products Directorate. Product Licensing: A Step by Step Guide. This is a 102 page document describing product license applications and requirements for natural health products.

Canadian Standards Association. How to get started [to certifying your product]. What is CSA certification? Why businesses should apply for certification? What are the steps to acquiring certification? Read here for the answers.

Ontario. Electrical Safety Authority. New Manufacturers’ Requirements. Manufacturers and distributors of electrical products in Ontario must ensure against unsafe devices.

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada. Guide to Certification. Another recognized testing lab whose certification provides assurance that products meet government requirements.

PACKAGING AND LABELLING
Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising.

Canada. Competion Bureau Canada. Consumer Packaging and Labelling: General Worksheet.

Canada. Competition Bureau Canada. Guide to Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.