Are you working on the next "Must Have" Idea?

Coaches:

Have you been following our hints about patents? Did your team’s Body Forward Project give you an amazing idea for a new product or process?  If so, we’ve got some more REALLY BIG news to give you!

FLL is launching its first ever awards program where the prize is seeing your team’s idea up in lights (well, at least well on its way to becoming a household name). The FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award is designed to help make your team’s great idea a reality!  With the help of some really great supporters of innovation you will have the chance to win a CASH prize you can use to file a United States patent, create a prototype and get it well on its way to becoming one of those “can’t live without it” inventions like the microwave and cell phone.

Why a patent?
Filing for a patent will help protect your idea while you fine-tune your concept and develop your working model.  It’s also great for helping you get the support of others in bringing your idea to market.

What to do RIGHT NOW?
Don’t wait to get started! Think about your 2010 Body Forward FLL Project and imagine what your idea could mean if you could share it with the world.  You can protect your idea right now with a provisional application for a patent. Visit the USPTO website for filing instructions: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/provapp.jsp

And the winner gets…
In addition to the cash prize, your team will be invited to attend an awards ceremony where you will be honored and get a head start on making sure your patent is noticed.

How to enter…how to get votes
FLL will be launching the Global Innovation Award website in mid-January. Once live, you can enter your team’s submission and let everyone you know where to vote for your idea.  The teams with the most votes will have their ideas reviewed by our award selection panel of experts. Only FLL teams registered for the current season will be eligible. 

Stay tuned.  We can’t wait to tell you more in the coming weeks.

With High 5's and Admiration,
FLL Team Support
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