Welcome

The Inventors Network of the Capital Area is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1993. Our members are interested in patents, the innovation process, product design, marketing, licensing, prototyping and other product development issues.

Every month we host a meeting with a speaker and time for experienced and beginning inventors to network. Private sector speakers at past meetings have included successful inventors, and experts in: marketing, branding, patenting, licensing, prototyping, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. Speakers at previous meetings have also included officials from the US Patent & Trademark Office of Independent Inventor Programs and representatives of government small business assistance programs. For more details on past speakers and meeting topics see the Past Meetings page.

Meetings are free and open to the public. We invite you to attend our next meeting to participate in networking over pizza, snacks, and drinks. See the Meetings page for a schedule of upcoming meetings, directions, and more information. If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming meeting, or would like to recommend a speaker, visit ourSpeakers page.

Upcoming Events

March 15, 2010
Our March 2010 meeting is 5:30 pm on Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043-2099.

This meeting will feature patent attorney and IPWatchdog.com founder Gene Quinn. Mr. Quinn will be speaking on patenting basics and patent reform. He will also be talking about his brand new creation, the IPWatchdog Social Network, "A Social Network for Inventors, Entrepreneurs, Attorneys, Artists and Businesses." Gene will be available before and after the formal part of the meeting to answer your questions concerning intellectual property.

This meeting will also feature elections for INCA president, vice-president, and treasurer.

March 31, 2010 - Afternoon
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) invites INCA members and the public to its 38th Annual Induction Ceremony, March 31, 2010 1:30 pm at the Department of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC. This ceremony will feature 16 inductee inventors who "have invented lifesaving methods of slowing cancer, devices that let us explore the undersea world, one of the worl's best known office products, and the technology that lead to the multi-billion dollar video game industry, among others." Actual names of the inductees will be announced at this ceremony. This event is free and is open to the public, but please be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend. To RSVP click here. This event recommends business attire.

March 31, 2010 - Evening
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) invites INCA members its 38th Annual Induction Gala Dinner, March 31, 2010 6:30 pm at the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, VA. The dinner starts at 7:00 pm. Note that this event costs $250.00 at ticket. Members of INCA have been invited to attend this event. However individuals must pay for the cost of their own tickets. Click here to register and purchase your tickets. This is a black tie event.

April 26, 2010 - Morning and Afternoon
The Licensing Executives Society (LES) DC chapter, US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Inventors Network of the Capital Area (INCA) are planning a joint meeting and class on intellectual property licensing for World IP Day. This meeting may be held at the USPTO headquarters, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 in the Madison building's large auditorium, or at a local law firm. If you are traveling to the USPTO by Metro take the yellow or blue line to the King Street station in Alexandria; Follow the pedestrian tunnel under Duke St. Please note that there will be a fee to attend the LES' licensing class. More details should be announced in the near future.

April 26, 2010 - Evening
Our April 2010 meeting is 5:30 pm on Monday, April 26, 2010 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043-2099. Note, that the meeting is on the fourth Monday of the month. This speaker for this meeting has yet to be determined. Also note that this meeting date may be moved to another day in April in order to accommodate the joint LES & INCA World IP Day event taking place during the day of April 26, 2010.

For announcements about additional upcoming events visit the INCA Google Group.

In The News

USPTO Announces New Electronic Publication "Inventors Eye" for Independent Inventors

Learn more about how to subscribe to this free bi-monthly electronic publication by clicking here. The first edition has articles featuring inventor stories, how to avoid invention promotion company scams, patent reform and more.

InventHelp Sues IPWatchDog

Read articles from IPWatchDog, InventBlog and Inventors Digest