T.S. Eliot is reputed to have stated that, “Good writers borrow ideas, great writers, steal them.” (Creativity is Forever, Gary A Davis, 147) We can agree that creativity involves analogical and metaphorical thinking in both process and technique. Innovation’s inspiration often comes from things that already exist. The question is where is the line between borrowing or improving, and plagiarism or stealing? Where does originality begin? Davis states that “using analogically related ideas as an idea source usually poses no ethical questions…” and that “…borrowing and modifying other successful strategies generally is good problem solving.” As gifted students are encouraged to use the creative process to come up with innovative ideas, inventions, and solutions, ethics should be discussed. The invention process does not stop with the generation of an idea. It is not uncommon for gifted students who are immersed in the creative thinking, especially those who have participated in Invent America and Future Problem Solving, to create new products. Even young inventors can participate in the invention process, patent their idea, and keep current on issues in order to make future innovations.
For inventors and their inventions, the patent process protects the inventor from having his/her ideas stolen. Ideas, for example, may become the inventor’s intellectual property and a patent makes certain that no one can copy the idea in the future and make money off of it!
Patents are grants issued by the US Government giving inventors the right to exclude all others from making, using, or selling their inventions within the US, its territories and possessions. There are three kinds of patents: utility patents, plants patents, and design patents. The patent application process can be complex. There are fees attached to getting a patent, and it’s advised to get an attorney or agent to assist the inventor with the patent process. Applications are assigned to examiners who are experts in the various fields of technology. The invention must be new, useful, and unobvious to those in that particular field of study. This application process usually takes about 19 months to complete. If you or your gifted students have a great idea/product or invention, you may want to encourage them to keep it safe and protected by getting a patent! For more information on patents, contact the US Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington DC 20231.
Read Teaching Creative Growth.
Read Chaos & Creativity . When you have finished reading, continue with the course content.