HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM
COUNTERFEIT AGENCIES For Parents and Students of Inductees into the
National Gallery For America’s Young Inventors™
and all other competitions and youth honors
Becoming inducted into Washington, DC’s onlyauthorized hall of fame for America’s young inventors is a very historic honor! Because of this, you may have individuals and organizations calling you to offer publicity, patents, contracts and more.
The National Museum of Education cares deeply for each student! In order to educate families of young inventors, we are providing the following checklist of reputable practices to protect yourself and your ideas.
MOST IMPORTANT: Are they a not-for-profit group, certified with a Federal class of 501(c)(3)? If not, they are most likely for profit! Use Caution!
Yes
No
Have they provided a non-profit Federal Tax ID# for your reference?
Verify it at www.irs.gov
Yes
No
Can they provide a photograph of their office or building? (Not a house!)
Yes
No
Are they offering a contract? We recommend having a patent attorney present to review any promises, licenses or patent offers!
Yes
No
What is their track record? Can they provide 3-4 references of other inductees with their phone numbers? Call all of them!
Yes
No
Is their selection method determined through a juried process? Or is it being directed by a few individuals to provide a self-serving media experience in order to provide P.R. for their own benefit?
Yes
No
Is there a publicized ceremony? Are there reputable speakers?
Are your travel & lodging expenses covered?
Yes
No
Is your child being coached on what to say and what not to say? These are BIG "red flags" and you should be very cautious!
Yes
No
Are scholarships or credits offered for an accredited institution or university?
Yes
No
Keep in mind, everyone on the Internet technically has a worldwide presence. "Idea Predators" will benefit financially from promoting your child. Anyone can set up a site. But if an organization is claiming an international presence, investigate carefully.
Yes
No
Many organizations harvest children's photos and ideas. Do they pursue public donations to maintain the website, etc.? Are awards given in return or will your child only receive a certificate?
Yes
No
Are they offering cash, manufacturing assistance or other bonuses? Do not release any details or materials on your child's invention without protecting your child.
Yes
No
Remember: If you’re not getting anything, they are getting everything!
With over 35 years in the invention business,
we have a vast amount of experience.
Call us at any time with questions and concerns,
and we will do our best to keep you safe!
The National Gallery for America's Young Inventors is a program of NMOE.org
Questions or Comments? Want to learn more?
Please email us at info@nmoe.org
Visitors Welcomed to Date =
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation for the National Gallery of America's Young Inventors, 1999-2006
The National Gallery for America's Young Inventors ™ is the only nationally recognized hall of fame for student inventors, established in 1993 and given permission by the adult National Inventors Hall of Fame Board in Washington, D.C. to archive and enshrine great student inventions and inventors K-12.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation for the National Gallery of America's Young Inventors, 1999-2006