Options for Commercializing Inventions Partnering with Manifold Submission Steps Resources		Submissions Although Manifold can show flexibility in assessing new submissions, we generally like to see the following characteristics: Category Consumer electronics/appliances Tools and Building Products Consumables Home Medical Medical devices (510k) Market Solves a clearly defined problem for which there are no good alternatives Has the potential to be > $15M annually in sales Can be distributed through existing channels Does not require a significant change in user behavior Has not been disclosed to key players in the market Technology Does not require unproven technologies Can be cost effectively produced using known manufacturing methods Can be applied to a line or multiple lines of products Patent Protection At least a provisional patent on file, ideally an issued patent Is not in a crowded field of prior intellectual property Steps for Submitting an Idea to Manifold 1. Search the web to find any similar or relevant products/technologies that already exist 2. If you have already filed for a patent, proceed to Step 5. Otherwise, go to step 3. 3. Conduct a review of existing patents to determine if patents have already been issued or applied for which cover the same or similar ideas as yours. USPTO or Google Patent search 4. If you believe your idea does not conflict with other patents or published material, Manifold recommends you to file a “Provisional Patent Application” with the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office – www.uspto.gov). A Provisional Patent can provide basic protection for your technology and allows you up to one year to file a full “Utility Patent” application. Applying for a provisional application can be a very simple, straightforward process which only costs $75 in filing fees. The procedures and instructions for filing a provisional patent are available at through the US patent office website. (USPTO provisional patent instructions) 5. Complete the Manifold submission form and email it to info@manifoldproducts.com. We will get back to you within a response to let you know that we received it and give you a time frame for getting back to you.