Inventors Council Builds Momentum

In his futuristic book, "Being Digital," Nicholas Negroponte talks about the advent of the "open system" – a nonproprietary, public domain for the propagation of ideas and innovations. The non-profit Central Kentucky Inventors and Entrepreneurs Council aims to open up just such avenues in its quest to promote and nurture the ideas and inventions of individuals in the region.

Now in its second year, CKY-IEC has a 60-person membership and enjoys the support of the Bluegrass Area Development District, which hosts the Councit's monthly meetings and helps recruit members. The Council is part of the 1400-member Inventors Council Alliance of Dayton, Ohio.

Founders Mohammed Nasser and Don West began the organization to aid innovators in early-stage idea development, concentrating on three primary steps: market analysis, acquiring a provisional patent, and formulating a business plan. The membership includes experts in engineering, video, plastics, software, prototype development, telephony, and other areas.

The inventors and entrepreneurs themselves are as diverse as their creations. Projects range from a self-priming pump to a tie wrap holder, from a barbeque turner to a security pager. "Convenience may be the best inroad right now for a new invention," says Don West.

But we don't want to divulge too much. As open as the exchange can be, inventors know better than anyone the importance of secrecy. They are constantly on guard for corporate "back dooring" and have to keep current on how to protect their intellectual property.

At the same time, disclosure is the way to go if you want to prevent others from patenting your idea: once it's in the public domain, ironically enough, it's safe from predators.

For information about CKY-IEC, call Don West at (606) 842-4110 or Mohammed Nasser at (606) 885-9593.

Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the conference room of the Bluegrass Area Development District, 699 Perimeter Dr.

Adam Bruns is a staff writer for The Lane Report.

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