Members benefit from impartial practical advice and help on various matters including Patents and Registered Designs, Licensing, Prototypes, Markets and Raising Capital.

Our members range in age from 16 to their seventies. Not all are inventors, some are just very interested in invention,and have experience in Patents, marketing, research, accountancy and other fields which are helpful to budding inventors. Inventors can be very vulnerable to some unscrupulous "Invention Marketing" companies, who prey on their inexperience. If anyone asks you for money to promote your idea - be extremely wary. We have knowledge of most of these predators, and are able to guide new inventors through the process of patenting and promoting their invention.

Many would-be inventors think that just because they have what seems to be a good idea, the business world will leap to snap it up. I'm afraid that inventions are not that simple to get accepted. There's a very small percentage of successful inventions. Don't let that put you off - your invention could be the exception!

The Black County Inventors was founded about fifteen years ago by Len Cruddas. Len and his wife Lorna who have retired from the Committee, now run a small successful company, Cruddas Innovations, manufacturing and marketing Len's ideas.

If you would like to join the club, or would like more information, contact the Club's Chairman John Aston on 01384 279560 or send an e-mail to invent@bcic.org.uk.