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I don't get it. There is so much money to be made from developing inventions honestly, why does anybody need to rip inventors off, and ruin their properties, for a few thousand measly quid? But, rip off inventors they really do! The world of invention is littered with the bones of great ideas which were eaten up by predators, pirates, and cheats.
There's not really any protection or oversight body in the UK. In the US, they take matters much more seriously, and they have an organsiation called IP Watchdog. They collect information about bent Inventor's Agents, and they have a very useful advice page, which you should read before you engage anyone.
To redress the balance on this side of the fishpond, we're trying to collect the most complete list of cons and conmen in the UK. Though we don't conduct our own investigations, if someone complains about an organisation, we may delete the listing from the links page. If enough people complain, and other people investigate, we will list their investigations here. If you've been conned, please tell us about it.
International Product Design developed an appalling reputation for ripping off its clients - to the tune of £5000 or more each! It was shut down by the DTI in 1998.
The people behind IPD, Julian Gumpel in the US and Roy and Megan Bishop in the UK, (though you won't find their names on any of their promotional materials!) were back in business, trading as PTI in the UK and as IPM in the US. Their NDA is meaningless, their submission form is downright dangerous, and their success rate remains, as before, at nil.
Read the whole sorry story here, and then don't go near them with a bargepole.
Apparently, ISC operates basically the same scam as the other companies. It has a success rate ranging from dismal, right down to zero, depending on whether you use their definition of success, or a reasonable person's.
What makes it different is that it is run from huge maze of companies spread all over the world, and they fight any slight on their character very aggressively through the courts. So, their appearance here in no way implies they are scamsters. Instead, check out the FTC judgement against them here, and then take a look at what InventorEd thinks of them.
Then, make up your own mind whether you want to be involved with anyone so predatory.
This company, based in Ireland, advertises on the web, through TV adverts, and through more direct methods.
Their initial consultation form should alert you about their approach to business. However, if that's not enough, check out this site, (and, here are their sources: [1], [2], [3] and [4]). It seems they've been ripping off inventors through several incarnations in several countries.
My advice is, don't have any truck with these people.
