POLICY AND AGREEMENT CONCERNING SUBMITTED IDEAS
New product ideas are important to the Product Development Network (PDN). We receive many unsolicited outside ideas and have found that many of these are not new and often are either concepts which are already in the public domain or are the same or similar to ideas developed by our own staff. For these reasons, and in order to avoid any disagreements, the Product Development Network can review outside ideas only according to the conditions of the agreement below.
Our policy is founded in our desire to preserve our rights (A) in the previous and current ideas and developments of our own staff, (B) to use anything in the public domain, (C) to defend against patents which we believe to be invalid. We also wish to avoid uncertainty or disagreement as to what is disclosed to us.
AGREEMENT
Our policy requires that we will review submissions only when a copy of this Agreement is signed, and further that we accept only such matter as is reduced to writing, dated, and signed by you and acknowledged by us as detailed on our Concept Submission Form. Please understand that it is necessary for us and for your protection to retain a record of your disclosure for our files.
1. The Product Development Network will maintain disclosure on your product submission within the limitations of this document. Additionally, your idea will only be disclosed within the limitations of the document.
2. No obligation of any kind is assumed by, nor may be implied against PDN, unless and until a formal written contract has been entered into, and then the obligation shall be only such as is expressed in the formal written contract executed by PDN and has no obligation to compensate you for any damage which may occur in shipment. Any claims for loss or damage occurring during shipment should be filed directly with the transportation company.
3. We assure you that we intend to deal fairly with you in connection with your disclosure. You must understand and agree that in return for receiving and examining your disclosure, we are released from any liability in connection with the receipt and examination of your disclosure, including internal employees, individuals involved in industry accepted evaluation methods and third party individuals involved in industry excepted process by PDN.
4. Product concepts will be submitted to PDN by the inventor in written supplements to this Agreement in the form of Concept Submission Forms, signed and dated by both parties. Our review of your idea is not an admission of novelty, priority, or originality and does not prejudice our rights to contest any existing or future patents or copyrights on the idea. All features which you believe to be unique or points of differentiation must be outlined on the Concept Submission Form, and all areas of this sheet must be completed in full for your submission to be eligible for review and evaluation by PDN. Any form received without this information will be returned for completion.
5. No employee or representative of PDN is authorized to solicit any disclosure or to do any other act or make any representations from which any relationship may be implied other than that expressed in this document.
6. This Agreement shall have a term of one calendar year commencing on January 1 and will be updated on an annual basis, unless earlier terminated by PDN on thirty (30) days written notice. This Agreement is the entire understanding between the parties and no change in Agreement or modification shall be effective unless executed in writing.
FOR: ________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
Submitter #1 Signature ___________________________________
Print Name ______________________________________________
Title_____________________________ Date __________________
Submitter #1 Signature ___________________________________
Print Name ______________________________________________
Title_____________________________ Date __________________
Please send your signed, dated, and completed Agreement Form, together with any materials you wish to have considered along with $150.00 to:
THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
Product Submissions
Two Seneca Road
Peabody, MA 01960 USA
Note: Please printout and sign a copy of this form. Please pack all materials carefully and enclose a detailed packaging list. Also include a return mailing label along with sufficient postage to mail your item back to you. Remember, pack your item carefully. We will not be held responsible for any damages occurred during shipping to or from PDN. Thank you.
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