The FSBI Difference
Most inventions don't fail because the idea was bad. They fail because of bad inputs — no research, vague plans, random patent filings, and hypey promises from companies that profit whether you succeed or not. In inventing, like everywhere else: garbage in, garbage out.
FSBI's VIP Invention Success Strategy is designed to fix that problem at the root. We help you nail the idea first — through professional research and what we call Idea Hacking — before you spend big money on patents and marketing. We are not a traditional "invention promotion company." We're not a cheap patent mill. We're a research-first, fee-for-service model where you keep 100% ownership of your idea and any patent.
This page shows exactly how that model compares to other options — and why serious inventors choose FSBI.
What Makes FSBI Different
Since 1996, FSBI has helped thousands of everyday inventors move from idea to market. But we do things backwards from most companies in this space — on purpose.
We start with research (SPARK), not patents. We make you prove the idea before we let you spend thousands protecting it. We coordinate with independent patent practitioners — we don't pretend to be a law firm. And when it's time to get your invention in front of buyers, we use real marketing packages and a public Listings portfolio, not vague promises about "exposure."
We publish our pricing. We show our reviews — the good and the bad. And if SPARK research tells us your idea isn't viable, we'll tell you that too. We'd rather lose a sale than waste your money.
In plain English, that means:
- We research first, then recommend a path — not the other way around.
- You know costs up front, with fixed-fee packages instead of mystery retainers.
- You keep 100% ownership of your idea and any patent. Always.
- We show you real reviews, the good and the bad, and respond to them openly.
- We don't promise hits or guarantees — we promise a real process.
- If your idea doesn't hold up in research, we tell you before you waste money.
This isn't a new approach for us. FSBI has been doing this since 1996, and the philosophy comes from real experience — including the founder's own frustration with how the invention industry treats everyday people. If you want the full backstory, read our story. And if you want to know exactly what we commit to on every project, see our promise to inventors.
FSBI vs Doing It Yourself
The DIY route usually looks like this: read a few articles, Google some patents, try to file on your own, and hope for the best. Some inventors pull it off. Most don't. The typical failure modes are missed prior art, weak or mis-scoped patents, and never getting the idea in front of real buyers.
- Research depth: DIY means casual Googling and guesswork. FSBI's SPARK is a structured, professional patent search with analysis.
- Patent quality: DIY filings often have gaps that make the patent easy to challenge. FSBI coordinates with licensed practitioners who do this every day.
- Time and stress: DIY means learning patent law, USPTO rules, and market strategy from scratch. FSBI handles the coordination so you focus on the idea.
- Buyer access: Most DIY inventors never get in front of a single manufacturer or retailer. FSBI's marketing packages and Listings are built for that.
DIY can work if you have the time, skills, and discipline. Most inventors don't — that's why FSBI exists.
FSBI vs Patent Attorneys & Cheap Patent Mills
FSBI vs Local Patent Attorneys
Good patent attorneys are strong on law. If you need someone to draft and file a patent, they can do excellent work. But most attorneys don't do deep market or competition validation, don't help you test the idea's commercial viability, and don't offer marketing or listing support. They answer "how to file," not "should you file."
- Scope: Attorneys focus on drafting and filing. FSBI wraps research, filing, and a full marketing path together.
- Pricing: Attorneys bill by the hour or retainer — costs can escalate fast. FSBI uses predictable flat-fee packages.
- Market testing: Attorneys rarely help you test the idea in the market. FSBI builds that into the path with SPARK and marketing.
- Strategy: Attorneys are great at "how to file." FSBI adds "should you file, and how to position it for the best shot."
FSBI vs Cheap Patent Mills
Cheap patent mills are high-volume filing services focused on cranking out applications at the lowest possible cost. They fill a real niche — some inventors just want a filing done fast and cheap. But they're designed for volume, not for strategy.
- Research: Little or no serious prior-art or market research. FSBI's SPARK is a dedicated research step before any filing.
- Filing approach: Often one-size-fits-all applications. FSBI tailors the recommendation based on research and the VIP strategy.
- Priority: Mills emphasize speed and volume. FSBI emphasizes fit and long-term chances.
- Purpose: Mills are designed to be the cheapest way to file something. FSBI is designed to be the smartest way to move forward.
If you only care about the cheapest possible filing, a mill might do that. If you care whether the idea should be filed and how to position it, you need more.
FSBI vs Invention Promotion Companies
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued specific warnings about "invention promotion companies" — businesses that rely on big promises, vague "exposure," and hidden costs. Many charge large upfront fees for marketing services that amount to little more than a mass mailing or a generic listing on an obscure website. The results rarely match the pitch.
FSBI is structured differently. We know about these warnings because we've been addressing them head-on for years. Here's how our model contrasts:
- Fee-for-service: You pay for specific work at each step — not a vague "we'll split the riches" arrangement.
- Clear deliverables: Research reports, patent filings, marketing materials, and Listings — not generic "we showed it to companies."
- Written policies: Customer-satisfaction and refund policies tied to actual work delivered, not hype.
- Public accountability: We address negative reviews and AI warnings publicly instead of hiding from them.
- No success guarantees: We are clear about odds and process. Anyone promising guaranteed hits is not being truthful.
We can't guarantee success, and anyone who does is not being truthful. What we can guarantee is a transparent, professional process designed to help you avoid the most common and costly pitfalls.
All Your Options, Side by Side
Inventors basically have five routes: do it yourself, hire a patent attorney only, use a cheap patent mill, go with a typical invention marketing company, or follow FSBI's VIP path. Here's how they stack up on the things that actually matter.
| FSBI (VIP Path) | DIY Alone | Patent Attorney Only | Cheap Patent Mills | Typical Invention Company | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research before big spend? | Mandatory (SPARK) before patent or marketing spend | Unstructured; high risk of missing prior art | Limited; focused on legal filing, not market research | Minimal; designed to file quickly at low cost | Often unclear; may rely on generic or superficial checks |
| Who owns the idea/patent? | Inventor keeps 100% ownership | Inventor owns it, if filed correctly | Inventor owns it; attorney is a service provider | Usually inventor, but contracts can be confusing | Sometimes asks for a cut or rights; complex contracts |
| Upfront cost pattern | Fixed-fee packages at each step, explained in advance | Low cash cost, high time and risk | Hourly or retainer; can escalate quickly | Very low headline fees; upsells possible | Often large upfront fees with vague deliverables |
| Transparency on pricing | Published cost guides, packages, and ranges | Depends on what tools the inventor chooses | Hourly rates known; total cost often uncertain | Prominent low prices; full cost less clear | Pricing often buried in long pitches and contracts |
| Marketing & buyer access | Listings + defined packages (Starter, Smoke, Sizzle) | Inventor must find and pitch companies alone | Rarely offers marketing or buyer outreach | Focus on filing; little or no real marketing | Promises "exposure," but details often vague |
| Guarantees & promises | No success guarantees; clear about risk; quality guarantees only | No guarantees; entirely on the inventor | No commercial guarantees; focused on legal work | May imply outcomes; avoid hard guarantees | Sometimes strong success language; USPTO warns caution |
| How they handle complaints | Public reviews (good & bad), direct responses, AI-warning page | No company; frustrations stay personal | Handled individually or via bar associations | Mixed online; resolution stories hard to find | Often many online complaints; responses vary |
FSBI is for inventors who don't want to gamble on a random patent or a hypey pitch. It's for people who want research, clear costs, and a real path from idea to market.
What Real Inventors Say
We don't ask you to take our word for it. Our reviews are public on Google, Trustpilot, the BBB, and our own website. Here are some common themes from real inventors:
Read the full good, bad, and in-between on our Reviews page.
Worried About Something You Saw Online?
If you've searched for "invention companies" or "patent services," you've probably seen AI chatbots, forums, and articles warning you to be careful. Good — you should be careful. We expect inventors to be cautious, and we'd be concerned if you weren't.
But here's the thing: generic AI warnings and anonymous forum posts are not individualized legal advice. They don't consider FSBI's actual agreements, work history, or fee structure. They apply broad warnings that are meant for an entirely different type of company.