44 Comments

1. Ron, I received a voice mail today from Stephen Balster, Lead Attorney for the FTC vs Davison. He stated the there is a forthcoming appeals process in regards to the 26 million decision. I am curious if Davison has the assets. I realize that his finances have been frozen, but does this company have the liquid monies to pay the Federal Government?. Counselor Balster further stated that a special account would be established for inventors’ that have been taken for ride by Davison and that claims forms would be sent to victims. Thanks for all your help on this and I would be glad help any way can to get the information out.

   Comment by Glenn Blackburn — March 27, 2006 #

2. This is a very interesting letter, as I have also been defrauded by Dividson and Assco. Were does one get more info to fight this company as the company went so far as to change the “Name and Design” of my invention stating that this company had the expertize to bring the invention to market. When asked how the new design would work the reply was the manufacture would solve that. I have all the paper correspondance yet from the dealings with this company.
   You can get ahold of me , John Rauch
   Box 330, Delia
   Alberta, Canada
   T0J 0W0
   ph.# 403-364-2112
   The best time to catch me on the phone is in the evening or early (7:00 A.M.) morning.
   By the way, one of my inventions has been featured in Farm Show Magazine called The Tree Trimmer in 1999 Vol 4 issue.
   Thank you for your time.
   Sincerely,
   John Rauch—The HandHillsInventor

   Comment by John Rauch — March 30, 2006 #

3. I’m one of the trusing fools that believed Davison & Assoc could help me achieve my dream. Ignorance on my part. Do I have to do anything to be included on this class action suit?
   Thanks for any info you can give me.

   Comment by Pamela Rouleau — March 30, 2006 #

4. The Meyerson Law firm was the company that notified me of Judge Lancaster’s on ruling conducted on 3/17. A group of inventors’ were going to use The Meyerson (Philedelphia, PA)Law Firm to sue Davison in a class action if we had been given a disfavorable ruling by Lancaster. At this time they will not be pursuing Davison based on the ruling. Now, granted Davison has been ordered to pay 26 million to the FTC, but there is an appeals process. I have no idea long this will take. Davison still has my money and he can afford the best attorneys. Did you know they would have hired the Attorney General of PA if he had not been elected. I will keep everyone informed of any developments. All the best to you and support http://www.inventored.com any way you can.

   Comment by Glenn Blackburn — March 30, 2006 #

5. I was also taken by Davision Daniel Simbeck
   who took $685.00 and tried to get $13.000 from me They promised me that my product would me marketed by TapeMark a major medical company. My can help millions of people I am devistated and don’t have the money to market it.

   Comment by maria lindemann — April 1, 2006 #

6. I also was also taken advantage of i paid 0ver 600 hundred dollars that I really didn’t have for my portable crash unit I invented and bescause i was young and i didn’t know what to do. I only could get a conversation with them if the subject was about more money , and they tried to get $10,000 to $15,000 by saying they’llusing something called inventegration, that said that emi medical was a prospective company. and sent me a binder with info that didn’t say much about my product or manufacture process accept the basic stuff i already knew. an all it did they did was promote there company name. i coundn’t use it to get marketing help or anything else.

   Comment by g washingtonn — April 3, 2006 #

7. How do I go about getting money back from them. I paid over 3 thousand dollars to them and got taken. Now what is our recourse, I have all the original papers to prove what I did. Please help

   Comment by Diana Leahy — April 4, 2006 #

8. At this time, Davison will have the opportunity to appeal the 26 million dollar imposed by Federal Judge Lancaster. This will take an unknown amount of time. File your complaint with the FTC at http://www.ftc.gov as soon as possible. The Federal Government will take the 26 million and establish a interest bearing fund. The government should also send out claims forms once the funds are ready for reimbursement. I will keep this blog as I receive additional information. Good luck.

   Comment by Glenn Blackburn — April 4, 2006 #

9. FTC vs. the Invention Promotion Companies

   I missed this last week, but Stephen M. Nipper of the Invention Blog emailed me:
   The FTC took down one of the invention promotion companies (Davison Associates) this week, to the tune of a judgment against them for $26,000,000.
   More from the …

   Trackback by Business Opportunities Weblog — April 5, 2006 #

10. The following quotes and factual information were compiled to ensure complete public disclosure of facts pertaining to the FTC. This action is over seven years old and Davison strongly believes that no judgment will be awarded. We and others believe that this government agency is not helping the invention community. The following will raise questions and your eyebrows.

    In the July 1995 issue of the New Republic, Former Federal Trade Commissioner Chairman Daniel Oliver argued that…”regulation advocates, like the FTC MAY SAY THEY HAVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MIND. WATCH OUT… YOU WILL FIND UNDERNEATH A RULE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT ONE GROUP AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER, DESIGNED TO TRANSFER WEALTH FROM ONE GROUP TO ANOTHER GROUP WITH MORE POLITICAL POWER.” We believe the “good old boy” network in Washington D.C. is at work to protect patent attorneys, their lobby group and select product evaluators. Ask yourself, “should I patent my idea before it is designed and developed. Also, why would the former head of the FTC make such a statement? Maybe, the following will help fill in details to their motives?”
    In July of 1996, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution published the following FTC statement: “Although some invention firms may help you get your invention into the marketplace most cannot do what they claim, including the most important first step: Getting a patent.” Davison believes, like most of corporate America, that patenting can be an important part of development, but why would the FTC promote patenting before a product idea is designed and developed? Please remember, if you patent first, you will most likely have to pay exorbitant fees to a patent attorney and to the Patent Office to make later product design enhancements. These types of corrections to a patent application can cost inventors thousands of dollars while patent attorneys and the Patent Office profit. To quote Don Lancaster, head of Synergetics, a new age design firm, world famous product developer and author of 28 books… “Add to this the patent scamming industry, which the Wall Street Journal now reports to be a $114 million dollar a year industry. Wherein your money is taken and nothing useful is ever returned.”… “In the real world, a potential manufacturer is infinitely more interested in working products now in active advanced beta test along with full preproduction artwork than they are in mythical piece of paper that may or may not turn into anything.”
    To quote Dr. Vernon Brahma, writer for the INVENTOR’S DIGEST, a self-made entrepreneur who runs a company he started with a new product idea 19 years ago… “The people who are unquestionably making money on the patenting process, without risk, are not the inventors, but rather, the patent attorneys, the patent agents, the patent searchers and the employees of the Patent Office. It is therefore in these people’s interest to perpetuate the myths so long connected with patents.” Again, the bureaucrats at the FTC promote patenting as “the most important first step” and Davison promotes product design and development as the most important first step. Also, in November of 1993, the INVENTOR’S DIGEST reported the following… “An inventor needs to approach a company with an “MGM presents!” type of presentation. It has to be professionally produced .. intriguing .. large .. eyecatching! It has to cast a shadow over all other correspondence and draw attention to itself! Company executives know an invention submission when they see one and it’s NOT a cover letter and copy of a patent.”
    On July 17, 1998, the FTC was required by law to answer 56 interrogatories (questions) that Davison stipulated it wanted answered. Here is an example of two of them.
    Davison’s question number 12 to the FTC:
    For all persons who the FTC contends are unsatisfied customers of defendants, please identify each person’s name and address, state who initiated the contact and how the contact was made. (The FTC refused to provide the requested information. We don’t know why they refused to provide these names, however, the FTC did respond by writing the following.)
    FTC’s response: “…THE COMPLAINT IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT ALLEGE THAT PARTICULAR CONSUMERS WHERE UNSATISFIED WITH DEFENDANT’S SERVICES.”
    Davison’s question number 18 to the FTC:
    Is it the FTC’s position that all invention promotion services are illegitimate or violative of the FTC Act?
    FTC’s response: (Within their response they stated…) “While in some cases the FTC may bring actions against practices it considers unfair, plaintiff (FTC) here has not alleged that defendant’s (Davison’s) practices are unfair.”
    The following invention promotion companies were permitted to continue with business as usual as long as they agreed to institute affirmative disclosures, a payment to the FTC and other slight business practice modifications. These companies simply apply for patents in great quantities before any design or development work is completed and do not offer licensing services on a contingency basis as does Davison.
    Invention Submission Corporation - Considered to be a very low quality service company.
    Concept Network - Promotes patenting as the overall solution to product development.
    NISI - Large patent promotion company that does not offer design or development.

    Comment by David Browning — April 6, 2006 #

11. The following quotes and factual information were compiled to ensure complete public disclosure of facts pertaining to the FTC. This action is over seven years old and Davison strongly believes that no judgment will be awarded. We and others believe that this government agency is not helping the invention community. The following will raise questions and your eyebrows.

    In the July 1995 issue of the New Republic, Former Federal Trade Commissioner Chairman Daniel Oliver argued that…”regulation advocates, like the FTC MAY SAY THEY HAVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MIND. WATCH OUT… YOU WILL FIND UNDERNEATH A RULE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT ONE GROUP AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER, DESIGNED TO TRANSFER WEALTH FROM ONE GROUP TO ANOTHER GROUP WITH MORE POLITICAL POWER.” We believe the “good old boy” network in Washington D.C. is at work to protect patent attorneys, their lobby group and select product evaluators. Ask yourself, “should I patent my idea before it is designed and developed. Also, why would the former head of the FTC make such a statement? Maybe, the following will help fill in details to their motives?”
    In July of 1996, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution published the following FTC statement: “Although some invention firms may help you get your invention into the marketplace most cannot do what they claim, including the most important first step: Getting a patent.” Davison believes, like most of corporate America, that patenting can be an important part of development, but why would the FTC promote patenting before a product idea is designed and developed? Please remember, if you patent first, you will most likely have to pay exorbitant fees to a patent attorney and to the Patent Office to make later product design enhancements. These types of corrections to a patent application can cost inventors thousands of dollars while patent attorneys and the Patent Office profit. To quote Don Lancaster, head of Synergetics, a new age design firm, world famous product developer and author of 28 books… “Add to this the patent scamming industry, which the Wall Street Journal now reports to be a $114 million dollar a year industry. Wherein your money is taken and nothing useful is ever returned.”… “In the real world, a potential manufacturer is infinitely more interested in working products now in active advanced beta test along with full preproduction artwork than they are in mythical piece of paper that may or may not turn into anything.”
    To quote Dr. Vernon Brahma, writer for the INVENTOR’S DIGEST, a self-made entrepreneur who runs a company he started with a new product idea 19 years ago… “The people who are unquestionably making money on the patenting process, without risk, are not the inventors, but rather, the patent attorneys, the patent agents, the patent searchers and the employees of the Patent Office. It is therefore in these people’s interest to perpetuate the myths so long connected with patents.” Again, the bureaucrats at the FTC promote patenting as “the most important first step” and Davison promotes product design and development as the most important first step. Also, in November of 1993, the INVENTOR’S DIGEST reported the following… “An inventor needs to approach a company with an “MGM presents!” type of presentation. It has to be professionally produced .. intriguing .. large .. eyecatching! It has to cast a shadow over all other correspondence and draw attention to itself! Company executives know an invention submission when they see one and it’s NOT a cover letter and copy of a patent.”
    On July 17, 1998, the FTC was required by law to answer 56 interrogatories (questions) that Davison stipulated it wanted answered. Here is an example of two of them.
    Davison’s question number 12 to the FTC:
    For all persons who the FTC contends are unsatisfied customers of defendants, please identify each person’s name and address, state who initiated the contact and how the contact was made. (The FTC refused to provide the requested information. We don’t know why they refused to provide these names, however, the FTC did respond by writing the following.)
    FTC’s response: “…THE COMPLAINT IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT ALLEGE THAT PARTICULAR CONSUMERS WHERE UNSATISFIED WITH DEFENDANT’S SERVICES.”
    Davison’s question number 18 to the FTC:
    Is it the FTC’s position that all invention promotion services are illegitimate or violative of the FTC Act?
    FTC’s response: (Within their response they stated…) “While in some cases the FTC may bring actions against practices it considers unfair, plaintiff (FTC) here has not alleged that defendant’s (Davison’s) practices are unfair.”
    The following invention promotion companies were permitted to continue with business as usual as long as they agreed to institute affirmative disclosures, a payment to the FTC and other slight business practice modifications. These companies simply apply for patents in great quantities before any design or development work is completed and do not offer licensing services on a contingency basis as does Davison.
    Invention Submission Corporation - Considered to be a very low quality service company.
    Concept Network - Promotes patenting as the overall solution to product development.
    NISI - Large patent promotion company that does not offer design or development.

    Comment by William Johns — April 6, 2006 #

12. Please file your complaints and file for reparations refund to either http://www.ftc.gov or to sbalster@ftc.gov

    the sbalster email address is the lead attorney stephen balster. He was the lead federal prosecuting attorney who was in charge of the federal litigation proceedings against Davison. At this time, Davison again is attempting to stall reparations payments. They have countered Judge Lancaster’s decision of 26 million and want to only pay $8 million. They have until May 17, 2006 to pay the federal fine. The federal government will then set up a reparations account for reimbursement. When sending an email, state your full name, address, all contact numbers and amount.

    Hope this helps. Best of luck getting your money back. Davison swindled 13k out of me. I look forward to getting my money back. all the best.

    glenn

    Comment by Glenn Blackburn — April 11, 2006 #

13. I’ve invested over $13,000, so far. Now I have to send another $100, or we can’t proceed. I’m working to uphold my end of the contract, but have realized that I’ve been misinformed and mislead. Example: I was told that all designs would have to pass my approval. In actuality, I disagreed with the design, made notes on the approval I signed. I got a call that the design team refused to progress until they received an approval with no notations. I signed my contract feeling that this company had my best intrest in mind. I was wrong to do so. Even if I’m not entitled to any retribution, contact me if I can assist in this ordeal.

    Comment by Angela E. Raymer — May 4, 2006 #

14. Current situation:
    I have possession of my provisional patent application and the drawings from Davison. Included, also, is a photo of the prototype. It is not my design. It is the one THEY proposed several months ago. I had discussed in detail, with Gary Humes, the changes that needed made. I had also made notations on the design approval I had to sign in order to proceed. I next received a call from Gary stating that the design team would not move forward unless they obtained a signed approval WITHOUT notations. He assured me that they were clear on the revisions that I had proposed. I signed another approval,…without notations. The product remained unchanged and now I am expected to apply for a provisional patent on a poor design. ( cost=$100 ) I don’t know what to do. I was informed that I would be responsible for the costs of redesigning and producing another prototype. Given the current legal situation, is it in my best interest to suspend business with them?

    Comment by Angela E. Raymer — May 4, 2006 #

15. Well, Thomas Gregory, Andrew Cable and George D. has over USD15,000.00 of my money. Gregory refused to follow my patent design, refused the name of my product and dropped me from their marketing services after 3 so called attempts. In the beginning they told me, Thomas Gregory, they had doubled their baby product presentations, licensed 24 the year prior and doubled to 59 the following year. Yet they dropped my account after 3 attemps???? They promised me personal presentations then I foundout it was a lie. I was stuck with in bogges proto type, Bogges description, out almost USD15,000.00, lies instead of promises kept and they had the nerve to drop my marketing account. Then with my last conversation with Thomas Gregory, he insults me and hangs up. Then I called to speak with Davison and the VP and was refused by the staff. Thomas Gregory was titled, New Product Director. Lies lies lies. They preyed on lies of huge money returns, and promises of all their contacts with manufacturing companies that would do buyouts and or royalty services. I believe that everyone that knew the lies and still made unkept promises to me should go to prison. I will promise them that there will be people that that would sell them to many inmates and may also get royalties as well.
    Timm Rice
    La La By Baby Products
    Las Vegas/Vancouver
    drtimm9@msn.com

    Comment by Timm Rice — May 13, 2006 #

16. I had the pleasure of testifying against Davison as a witness in the trial last year. I had already gotten most of my money back, thanks to a taped phone conversation I had with Davison that I could hold over his head, and I was able to force him to spend more than the amount he didn’t pay back by coming to my state to defend himself in court, which between travel costs and attorney fees must have run at least several thousand dollars. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see that he will have this judgement hanging over his head and following him for the rest of his life. According to the FTC attorneys, they can more or less seize anything he makes from here on out until the judgement is satisfied. Even if he decides to become a legitimate, honest businessman, they can take everything from his legitimate activities.

    For those of you upthread speculating that you can force Davison or his company to provide any service of value, cut your losses and walk away. He is both dishonest and inept. Substituting a poor design, often one already in the public domain which can’t be patented and stands no chance of success in the market, is his MO. They don’t actually do any work at Davison’s firm, you see. It’s all about getting your money. They can’t help you market an idea because they have no intention of helping anyone other than themselves - to your money. That’s what made his scam so bad - even people with genuinely good ideas that have a chance of success in the market will never get their idea developed to the point that it will be produced and marketed working with Davison, because his firm will take a good idea and turn it into a crappy one that’s poorly presented to boot.

    The trial was actually quite interesting. Prior to the trial, I was actually contacted by Davison’s attorneys, who apparently thought that I might be willing to provide information to help their client! I let them know that anything I had to say wasn’t going to be helpful to them and that he had made a very costly mistake by not returning all of my money.

    When I took the stand, Davison and his brother had strategically situated themselves at the back of the courtroom where they would be directly in the line of sight of anyone testifying. I suppose they thought that this would intimidate witnesses, as if anyone would be intimidated by a couple of Smurfs. His attorney tried hectoring me; I responded by making sure I made the points I wanted to make, which just caused him to come back with “just answer the question yes or no!” I smiled sweetly and said, “would you please repeat the question, sir?” He tried to make a point of the fact that I cashed the refund check that Davison sent but never signed a release of my claim. “But you CASHED the check, didn’t you?” he said, in his most lawyerly-intimidating fashion. “Well, it WAS my money and your client never did anything to earn a penny of it, so why would I release him from returning it?” I replied. “Just answer yes or no!” “What was the question again, sir?” And so on, for about an hour. It was actually great fun to see George roasting on the spit.

    Just one other thing to add about George: he wears bad shoes. Strictly low-class, all the way.

    Helping to put George into the poorhouse was worth every penny I didn’t get back.

    Comment by Davison's Nemesis — May 20, 2006 #

17. AMEN. Enough said. In truth lies victory. Thank you for your testimony. Davison rooked me out of 13k. I look forward to getting my money back. Mr. Davison now has to look forward to both local, state and federal law enforcement breathing down his neck. It is only a matter of time when justice will truly be served.

    Comment by Glenn Blackburn — May 22, 2006 #

18. Davison says they have contacts and all sorts of different companies. Do you know what kind of contact they have??? They contact companies and have them sign a form that says that they would be willing to see “a” invention. That’s it, nothing more… Most (if not all) of the companies they contact don’t want to see a physical prototype and never ask for it. All’s that Davison sends them is a drawing of the invention and some canned sales literature… So why does Davison tell everyone that a prototype is needed when if fact they never use it… They never show these prototypes to the companies and or the customers… What do they do with them? Do they even build them??? The FTC did right in suing the Davison brothers.. The FTC should demand that all of the protptypes that we had built be returned to us but I suspect the Davison cannot comply since they probably didnt build them anyhow.

    Comment by Hugh McIntyre — May 24, 2006 #

19. I was doing some research on Davison and found someone else listed as president and CEO. http://www.id.iit.edu/events/china/attendees.html

    Who is this guy and did George Davison jump ship?

    Comment by Hugh McIntyre — May 24, 2006 #

20. i just found out today about the problems of davison i have paid nearly ten thousand dollars and things have drug on for over two years… i doubt if i will get any money back from them, but i hope others will beware….

    Comment by elee — May 25, 2006 #

21. I had work done by Davidson and Associates, and when I eneded things with them, I was unhappy. I wanted myn prototype and my computer disk that they said they had to make. I got the prototype and it was missing material I gave them to add to the prototype. I was giving no computer disk, wich lead me to believe that that part of the job I hired them for was not done, and I was paying for work not done like a sucker. I hope this 26 million dollar judgement gets me my money back.

    Comment by William C Mackinnon — July 3, 2006 #

22. I have been dealing with the Davison company for a little over a year. I recently discovered the lawsuit against this company. I am wondering if I am too late to get my money back? My experience seems to be quite familiar reading some of the comments made here.

    Comment by Monique F. — July 21, 2006 #

23. I hear alot of comments ,and I also have paid out $ 10,000.00 + and still paying for illistrations and presentations every time they get some company to look at this product. since the 90’s I have several out on the field working fine. but time is running out,some corp. will have the big dollars to fund it sooner.since 2001 9/11
    I have decided to take a chance to get this rolling.since I am a guard,it can be used for homeland security,law inforcement,military and Med.

    thanks for your concern. still hoping for the big dream

    Comment by Martin,John — August 11, 2006 #

24. Has Davison helped ever helped anyone?We are going threw the samething as most of you.Davison wants 13,000 dollars to make a sample.When I told them no way they took 60% off the cost.They wanted 1,000 dollars to start the work.They wanted the money within 3 days.I did not send them any.

    Comment by Rick Blake — August 13, 2006 #

25. Davison charged me one thousand dollars for research on my invention. It look good and a contract was signed and US$14,000.00 was paid for their protocal or inventegration. They will not answer any of my calls or let me know what is happening. It has been over two years of trying to contact them. They also wanted to change a utility patent over to a provisional patent which my patent attorney said would never happen. I am looking forward to see what happens to this company as they do not carry on fair business practices.

    Comment by Harold Ringline — August 31, 2006 #

26. I used to work in the invention development business. There’s not a legitimate invention developer in the bunch. No laws can stop them. 27 million is nothing compared to what these guys bring in.

    Comment by Tommy G. — September 7, 2006 #

27. I have been working with Davison and signed a contract thatI too thought looked good in 2005, I did everything I could to get the money needed for the invention process with Davison. Davison wanted $685. to start paper work. $1,000 Deposit and then two payments, First $3,434.60 and the second payment had to be in or they could not finish the sample product,that payment was $5,151.60.
    May 2006 the first company they presented my invention to declined they needed another $335.00 to repackage product sample for another company. I made a complaint about the repackaged sample picture due to the fact that they made a mistake and left the original presentation company name on side of package, I was then unsure of companys true standing…went on my gut and found this site. As I join the list of scammed Davison clients, I too hope for justice and my money back!

    Comment by Laurie C. — September 25, 2006 #

28. Both my wife and I were scammed by Davison & Associates for over $22,000. Tim Kolydachuck and Andrew Cable led the charge for Davison in taking our hard earned money. I am trying to work through Davison to get our money beck. Calls are not being returned. I have sent a letter of complaint to them. I have also filed a complaint with the FTC. How do we go about getting our money back? Where do things stand with the FTC refunds?

    Comment by brian g — October 1, 2006 #

29. I also got taken by Davison Design and Associates. Feb. 06 I was contacted by Ted Leggens at Davison. He ask about my ideal, thought it was a GREAT ideal. I told him I was thinking about going with another company and he said Davidson could offer me alot more. Ted stated that Davison has access to big companies to present my product in a professional finished in the box ready for store shelves proto-type. Ted also said Davison design team were cutting edge in the industry. Ted continued to contact me in the next few weeks to say how excited he and the design team and Mr. Davison himself were about my ideal. He said for 685.00 they would research the field to make sure no one else had it out there. I told Ted that I already had a patent on it for the last few years , but he said it had to be done to make sure. SO I sent him the 685.00. Ted kept in close contact with me in those first few weeks and finally called with his great news that it was a go. Ted said that it would take around 10-12 weeks for proto-type to be ready to be presented to these big companies so it could be ready for the Christmas season. Ted then called to say they would need 1000.00 for the design team to make the proto-type. I mailed Ted the 1000.00. Ted called me a few weeks later to say he had in front of him a virtal-reality picture of my ideal,that it looked GREAT,they were all so excited about it. I ask him all kinds of questions about it and he said had all the elements we had discussed and he was sending me a copy of it.I received picture few days later.Ted called to see if I had received it.Ted told me not to be disappointed if there was changes if orginal concept of my ideal. Ted said we were getting close and now they would need 4650.00 more dollars to make the physical proto-type. I mailed Ted that 4650.00,Ted said he had to have the money in his office by that Friday in order that there be no delay,he told me to send it over-nite mail,I did. This was sometime in June. Ted called me after he received this money and told me after the proto-type was finished he would be needing another 3700.00 but that would’nt be for another two or three months so that would give me time to save the money. I questioned Ted about it taking so much longer than his first conversations with me,and all this money? Ted said it would probably be more likely to be ready for presention for next years season, as buyers need time to get it on their shelves. In the mean time I heard about the 26 million dollar lawsuit against Davison Design and Associates thu. Pittsburg Tribune. Then I saw all of the charges against them with the ftc. All of the charges against them were exactly what Ted was saying to me. And I found out there must be 50-100 Directer of New Products,which Ted said that was his title. I registered at the ftc. and with Steven Blasters office,he was the lead attorney agaisnt Davison. The 3rd week of Sept. Ted called me to say he hoped I had been saving my pennies as he needed the 3700.00 now the proto was’nt finished yet but he needed the money to continue and he would be handing me over to someone else but if I ever needed him he would be there.On a couple of calls before Ted said I would be receiving a completed proto-type just like they would be showing to the big companies, I ask him to send that and he said I would’nt be getting one they only make one to show and unless that one was destroyed someway no more would be made. I reminded him again of the promises he made in the geginning ,the reason that I decided to go with them in the first place Ted said everything was about completed and ready to present.I let him go on for a bit and then I said “Ted the scam is up,I know about your scam and I don’t want you or Davison to use my ideal in anyway .Ted said “you are kidding, I said no I’m not and I’ll be sending you a letter stating this and I hung up. Today Oct.5th Ted called me at work to say me project had been completed. I told him I did’nt want to talk and he would be receiving a letter and I hung up again. These crooks are nothing more than broiler room thieves.They are robbing honest hard working people of there money with their promises and lies.I hope myself and everyone that got cheated by these con artist get every dime of our money back and they all go to the pen. They were told to stop this and they are STILL using the same script on us. Please stay clear of these crooks. I got hooked for over 6300.00 dollars and that really hurt my family.I promised them great things from this because I believed in my ideal and I believed everything Ted Leggens told me. So beware everyone who has dealt with them has virturely the same experience,the same time frame,the same script.We can only hope these guys get whats coming to them and we get our money back.

    Comment by Joe — October 5, 2006 #

30. Thank you for all your input on the issue. I met my girlfriend 3 months ago and one of the first things she mentioned was how she has her patent idea being checked out by
    Davison. I work for a very large software company as a sales executive — so I was extremely skeptical about the patent idea. So she stated she paid over $600 to get her prototype on its way. So the davision “Vice Pres of Sales” (LOL!) called her and told her that “Delta” company was interested in her idea. But she would have to pay $9-12,000 to get her product produced. But she was told she would only have to pay $1000 as a retainer — the kicker was that she would have 7 days to make a decision. As soon as I heard this — i knew it was a scam. I have been in software sales and have dealt with Fortune 500 CEOs for several years and thus I knew this was a scam. Then I searched the internet and found this site. That company is a scam and I fell sorry for them deceiving everyone. What horrible people!! By the way — do you know that only 10 clients have made positive money from Davison in the last 26 years. That is less than 1% of their business!! What a horrible retunr on investment.

    Comment by Jeff — October 18, 2006 #

31. I was almost an idiot until I came across this website. I appreciate all comments. I was contacted by David Coberly.Everything sounded great until I got the pre-inventegration contract. Something wasnt right, I went with gut feeling and decided to research company. I added up how much they received in five years on number they gave me(36,374)timed that by $685=23,151,190. Just in pre-inventgration contracts @ $685 charged.

    Comment by Shana Olguin — October 30, 2006 #

32. ATTN: ALL WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY DAVISON DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Please call the local FBI office in Pittsburgh, PA. 412-432-4000. Davison Design may have violated Federal Telemarketing Laws (especially concerning Seniors) and laws involving the 1999 Inventor’s Protection Act. Please check at http://www.ripoffreport.com and search Davison. They are currently trying to mitigate the 26M federal fine ordered by Judge Lancaster this summer. They have the fine delayed at this time because they are trying get it reduced by taking it to a higher court. If the FBI receives numerous complaint calls it will get their attention and they will investigate. Also, contact Mr. Jim Parsons at WTAE. He has ran several stories about Davison and there are several inventors attempting to get him to run a follow up story on Davison’s operation. I have spent over 13k with Davison and they offered me 6500 to settle - this in unacceptable and they are using http://www.ripoffreport.com as an arbitrator. I have had it… I have been trying to get my money back from Davison since April 2005. Mr. Parsons information is: Jim Parsons

    WTAE TV

    400 Ardmore Blvd.

    Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221

    412-244-4635, Fax (412) 224-4628

    I am interested in gathering the emails and contact information of other inventors - feel free to contact me via email.

    Comment by Glenn Blackburn — November 5, 2006 #

33. Davidson and Associates took $15,097 from us. Barbara Browning and Andrew Cable (associates)took us for a wild ride that robbed us of our future. They wanted $13,600 at first to develop a prototype. Then they told us we could not contact the companies that they were talking to on our behalf. Lastly, they sent us a worthless prototype cap that probably cost them less than $10.00. They took advantage knowing that they would never actually give our idea a true shot. They lied, cheated, and scammed us. Please contact me asap if anything further should happen in this case.
    Where do things stand with the FTC refunds.
    719-598-7153
    john

    justincglaeser@yahoo.com
    206-396-7993
    p.o.box 88455
    Seattle, Wa
    98138-2455

    Comment by John and Justin — November 14, 2006 #

34. I too was taken for 14,000 and pretty much same story, except I was told that Hunter Fan and Mr Davison had a personal and business relationship and he spoke to them and they were interested and said come back to us after it is built.

    They supposedly built and packaged exactly as Hunter does today, but did not follow my design and I doubt anything ever existed.

    I asked to have it sent to me and that was a joke.

    I was about to file a lawsuit and then I came across this and now I am confused and not sure if I can do that or not

    Any help or tips and advice welcome and I will share anything that I obtain.

    Joan Hogan
    Trenton NJ
    hjoan5@aol.com
    609-635-4523

    Comment by Joan — December 5, 2006 #

35. They to told us we had a great idea. And after given them the 685.00 they asked for, then a few weeks later they wanted more. We could not give the 13,000. They wanted. They told us that your idea was safe for two years….(a $10 fee that was included in the 685.00protects our idea )well it’s only been 71/2 months since we’ve last worked them and we saw OUR idea out on the market today.. so either they lied about the safety of two years or they sold the idea. I want JUSTICE!

    Comment by Cye/Jamie Robar — December 16, 2006 #

36. I started with Davison in 2002. Even though they stated that the majority of their products didn’t
    get licensed, I thought I had a good idea. I gave
    them around 15,000.00 or more altogether. They never sent me a sample, only a picture of my product. It wasn’t like the drawing I sent them, but I thought…oh well, they have engineers, and maybe they know what they’re doing.They were supposed to be presenting it to different companies, but after seeing all this on here, I’m beginning to wonder about that. How do you know who to trust anymore??

    Comment by Margorie Stokes — August 31, 2007 #

37. I have been waiting for Davison to send my prototype to me for 5 months now. After realizing I’ve been ripped off by them, I requested to have my prototype sample sent to me. I was told that it got lost. They said they would build a new one but it would take 6 to 8 weeks. It has been since April 2007 since I requested it and all I get is bi-weekly phone message updates that it is “still” in the design department. I am so sick of this company that I am looking for anyone who also has been ripped off by them and would like to start a class action law suit. I do not know how to begin one but I welcome anyone else who is out there who might know how. I just want my $11,000.00 back.
    Kelly Weber

    Comment by Kelly — September 18, 2007 #

38. I am in the process of discussion with regards invention. they have enough info to continue. They requesting three hundred dollars for searches

    they seem genuine.

    thanks for all your comments

    CB
    Cornwall, UK

    Comment by Colin Bloor — September 25, 2007 #

39. Hi Colin,

    So genuine the Federal Trade Commission just won a lawsuit against them requiring they pay inventors back $26,000,000….genuine alright but genuine what is “the” question.

    Their “search” should be accomplained by a “written” legal opinion from an attorney indicating whether it is more likely than not any patent application might be awarded as opposed to a salesperson telling you on the phone or via emial “it’s patentable.” Otherwise, is is likely the search you get is their version moving you from Round 1 where one passes with flying colours into Round 2 - where the anti jumps considerably higher. And, since you’re in the UK and they have no UK presense, if you find yourself dissatisfied, it’s going to be real tough due to jurisdicational issues to get help.

    Go to http://www.google.com/patents to begin your own keyword search using very short phrases such as a consumer might use to find products in your invention’s general category.

    Be sure you get the UK patent office’s okay from their security division before entering any “we’ll get you a US Patent negotiations.”

    Did you know you can apply for a Provisional Application for Patent here for $100? (approx £50)It allows you to claim “patent pending” if only for one year giving you the time to make money before you have to pay it out upfront? If you need help in how to do it, just ask.

    Look Colin, the search will be 100% positive…how could it be anything else! LOL! The idea is to move one into Round 2 in my personal opinion.

    Have you met with the Cornwall Innovation Centre folks yet (Brian Ward) located at: Rosewarne, Tehidy Road, Cambourne, Cornwall, TR14 0AB Ph. 01209 612670 Fx.01209 612671

    Unfortunately the closest club to you here:
    http://www.inventorsclub-southwest.com/

    Would you like to learn how to start an inventors club there? It’s easy!

    Penny

    Comment by Penny Ballou — September 25, 2007 #

40. I had an invention that the davison were suppose to help me to patent and get going. They took 650.00 from me or more.
    They never help me to do anything. I felt they took my money and never gave a dime or the time.I never heard from them again.I again have an invention and I felt that they should pay me the money that they owe me. Please help me get the money back. It was my children money for their eduaction that I thought ai could invest tin and make more for the household.

    Comment by sharon cheers — October 5, 2007 #

41. I had an invention that the davison were suppose to help me to patent and get going. They took 650.00 from me or more.
    They never help me to do anything. I felt they took my money and never gave a dime or the time.I never heard from them again.I again have an invention and I felt that they should pay me the money that they owe me. Please help me get the money back. It was my children money for their eduaction that I thought I could invest in and make more for the household.

    Comment by sharon cheers — October 5, 2007 #

42. i too am starting to feel i got scammed, i gave them my idea back in 12/01/05. i had talked to a mark smith at davison who i thought was alright always called kept me up to date on things. before i finished making final payment suddenly he was out on sick leave and his so called boss john brensa was in charged , never returned calls and when he said he was going to call never did. now my idea is in hands of licensing with a Donna ? and it is being submitted to a while mfg.co. I had just learned of all this law suite deal so i am going to find out more info from FTC on Monday and find out what i need to do. just want to say thanks to who ever started this web site and enlighting all of us .

    Comment by john Schiller — October 6, 2007 #

43. thank you
    were to go to get my idea made if davison is such a rip off? I also gave them my idea but no money can they still use my idea and if so how can i stop them

    Comment by nashid — October 15, 2007 #

44. I too was a victim of the Davison Scam. The same story as everyone else. $685.00 down and $12,000.00 to go. I read the injunction and find they are not incompliance. Is there not another class action suit or some method to take these guys down? They take an excited entrepreneur, build his ego through “very good” sales techniques (scam) and subversively offer us that pie-in-the-sky we are all looking for. Then all gets dashed or we are ripped to the tune of several thousand dollars. I am committed to stopping the monster if we can. I calculated that Davison is multi millionaire many times over for their abuse and controversial methods of screwing potential inventors.

    Comment by Rob Franklin — October 23, 2007 #

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