FAQ
Yes. By accessing or using the ITC website, or by communicating with ITC via email or telephone, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted ITC’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Continued use of the website constitutes ongoing acceptance.
ITC is an independent, neutral platform that facilitates the submission, development, filing, listing, and transfer of ideas, pre-filed Provisional Patent Applications (PPAs), and PPAs developed through Proactive Exclusive Innovation Services (PEIS).
ITC operates both as:
- a marketplace for filed PPAs; and
- a strategic innovation development platform.
ITC is not a party to any transaction between idea originators/sellers and PPA evaluators or buyers.
ITC does not:
- promote or endorse any idea or filed PPA;
- evaluate, judge, assign value to, or guarantee any idea or PPA;
- assess technical feasibility, commercial viability, or patentability;
- participate in negotiations between sellers and buyers; or
- engage in or resolve legal disputes between parties.
All evaluations, due diligence, and commercial decisions are the sole responsibility of the evaluator or buyer.
ITC accepts:
- ideas submitted for possible conversion into filed PPAs;
- pre-filed PPAs submitted for listing and sale; and
- certain strategically developed PPAs created independently by ITC, including through PEIS-related activities.
ITC provides a streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective platform that enables:
- rapid access to acquisition-ready filed PPAs;
- standardized, transparent pricing;
- first-come, first-served transactions;
- secure handling of payments and documentation;
- reduced friction compared to traditional IP sourcing methods; and
- proactive strategic innovation protection opportunities through PEIS.
Yes. All financial transactions are processed through secure, encrypted payment gateways designed to protect user data and transaction integrity.
No. ITC does not provide legal, patent, tax, financial, or investment advice. Users are strongly encouraged to consult qualified professional advisors before submitting, evaluating, purchasing, or commercializing any idea or filed PPA.
Submitted ideas and filed PPAs undergo administrative review to confirm that required information is complete and that the submission complies with ITC’s written requirements. ITC does not assess novelty, inventiveness, technical merit, or commercial potential.
Please email Bharat Verma, President, at bverma@ideastradingcenter.com describing how you can contribute to ITC’s mission and outlining your expectations. Please attach your résumé and any relevant supporting materials.
Investment opportunities are limited to accredited investors and are subject to criteria determined by ITC in its sole discretion. Interested parties should contact Bharat Verma, President, at bverma@ideastradingcenter.com with a brief investment proposal.
Email info@IdeasTradingCenter.com or call (908) 481-9899.
A fee of $150 (USD) is charged at the time of idea submission. The submission fee for a pre-filed PPA is $20 (USD). All fees are non-refundable regardless of whether the idea or pre-filed PPA is accepted.
At present, PayPal is the only payment method available for submission fees. Sellers must open a free PayPal account using the same email address provided in the registration form. All payments are final, with no cancellations, returns, or refunds.
Yes. There is no limit to the number of ideas or pre-filed PPAs a seller may submit.
No. Transactions operate strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. ITC does not disclose evaluator or buyer credentials prior to a completed transaction.
Please consult: ITC Classes of Goods & Services
Processing times vary, but the typical review and preparation period is approximately two weeks, depending on submission volume and completeness.
Listings generally remain active until the one-year anniversary of the PPA filing date with the USPTO. If not sold within that period, they are automatically removed.
No. Once submitted, ideas cannot be altered.
Abstracts are non-enabling, market-oriented summaries. Additionally, all PPAs are filed with the USPTO, establishing priority protection.
Your information is used solely for platform operations related to evaluation and sale. ITC places a high priority on data protection. Please review ITC’s Privacy Policy for details.
Yes. Sellers may request removal by emailing patent@ideastradingcenter.com from their registered email address. Requests are verified prior to removal.
Yes. Accepted ideas may be converted into filed Provisional Patent Applications (PPAs) by ITC.
No. Complete and accurate identification is required.
Success varies based on idea quality, completeness of submission, and market demand. ITC does not guarantee sales.
Evaluators must execute a Confidential Evaluation Agreement and pay the applicable evaluation fee.
Prior to purchase, you must agree in writing that:
- The PPA is acquired “as is,” without representations or warranties of any kind;
- All payments are final and non-refundable;
- The originator(s) have contractually agreed to: irrevocably assign all rights, title, and interest in the PPA to the buyer; refrain from disclosure, use, commercialization, or transfer following assignment; and execute all documents reasonably required to effect the transfer;
- Upon ITC’s written confirmation and receipt of cleared funds, all rights transfer to the buyer;
- ITC performs no due diligence, and all diligence is the buyer’s responsibility; and
- The buyer is solely responsible for filing any Non-Provisional Patent Application within twelve (12) months of the PPA filing date.
No. Some PPAs are independently developed and filed by ITC.
No. Prices are fixed.
No.
No. All transactions are final.
Subscribers receive immediate alerts when newly filed PPAs in selected classes are posted.
No.
No.
No. Abstracts are provided “as is.”
ITC does not participate in disputes. Buyers may contact sellers directly after purchase.
Each filed PPA may be sold only once. Sold PPAs are immediately removed from the platform.
Yes. ITC covers a broad range of goods and services classifications.
Limited background information may be provided. Full contact information is disclosed only after purchase.
PEIS (Proactive Exclusive Innovation Services) is a strategic innovation protection service through which ITC proactively develops and files protective Provisional Patent Applications (PPAs) around a participating company’s strategic technologies.
Under PEIS, the participating company’s core technologies function as the “Sun,” while ITC develops surrounding protective PPAs (“Moons”) intended to strengthen strategic positioning, create defensive innovation layers, and expand future optionality.
To ITC’s knowledge, this proactive model is unique.
Traditional patent services generally react to inventions already identified by a company. PEIS differs by proactively identifying, developing, and filing additional protective PPAs around strategic technologies before competitors may recognize adjacent opportunities or vulnerabilities.
Yes. PEIS engagements are exclusive and governed by separate contractual agreements between ITC and the participating company.
The developed PPAs under PEIS are assigned to and owned by the participating company.
No. PEIS is intended to complement, not replace, traditional patent counsel and internal innovation teams.
Yes. PEIS is specifically designed to support proactive and defensive innovation strategies surrounding strategic technologies.
PEIS engagements may involve technologies that are already patented, patent-pending, commercially deployed, under internal development, or otherwise strategically important to the participating company.
No. Through PEIS, ITC may proactively identify and develop protective innovation opportunities surrounding strategic technologies.
The “Sun” refers to the participating company’s strategic technologies, while the “Moons” refer to surrounding protective PPAs proactively developed through PEIS. The terminology is intended to illustrate strategic innovation positioning around core technologies.