Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Start by observing your environment, whether that's your home, school, workplace, or community. Identify the problems or inefficiencies that people face. 
2. User Interviews: Talk to people and ask them what issues they face in their day-to-day lives. Direct conversation can often unearth problems that aren't immediately obvious.
3. Case Studies: Research case studies in the field or sector you're interested in. These can offer insights into common challenges and gaps that exist.
4. Review Existing Solutions: Look at the existing solutions to problems and see if they can be improved, combined, or adapted for a different use case.
5. Consult Experts: Reach out to professors, industry professionals, or other experts who can point you toward unresolved problems in their fields.
6. Crowdsourcing: Utilize social media or forums to ask a larger crowd what problems they think need solving. Often, you’ll find perspectives that you hadn’t considered.
7. Trending Issues: Pay attention to current events, emerging technologies, or social trends. Sometimes the "next big thing" is a response to a current, widely-recognized problem.
8. Look at regional assessments or impact reports. 

As of 2023, Augusta, Georgia faces several regional problems:

1. Cybersecurity Issues: Augusta has experienced multiple computer problems, including cyberattacks that have disrupted city operations. This includes a significant network outage and ongoing technical difficulties affecting various city systems​​​​.
2. Public Transportation Challenges: Augusta Transit is facing issues with its bus system, including problems with the bus tracking app and unreliable bus services. These issues have resulted in a loss of nearly 1,000 riders. The city has received federal funding for electric buses, but delivery delays and supply chain issues have hindered improvements​​​​.
3. Affordable Housing Crisis: Augusta is grappling with a growing affordable housing crisis. Rental prices have increased significantly, contributing to housing instability and evictions. This issue is exacerbated by out-of-state investors buying up cheap housing and displacing long-term tenants​​​​.
4. Rising Homelessness: The city has seen an increase in homelessness, partly due to rising rent prices. The Homeless Task Force in Augusta is addressing this through various outreach programs, but the demand for shelters continues to exceed available resources​

Areas of opportunity are determined following the review of national benchmark data, number of residents affected, and the potential impact on community health and wellness. The current areas of opportunity, based on the most recent assessment completed in 2022 are as follows: 

1. Access to Health Services
2. Cancer
3. Diabetes
4. Heart Disease & Stroke
5. Infant Health & Family Planning
6. Injury & Violence
7. Mental Health
8. Nutrition, Physical Activity & Weight
9. Oral Health
10. Potentially Disabling Conditions
11. Respiratory Diseases
12. Social Determinants: Housing
13. Substance Abuse
14. Tobacco Use

Source: https://www.augustahealth.com/service/community-outreach/community-health-needs-assessment/

Here is a great resource on how to use the business canvas model.

Yes! Check out this resource.=: https://ipidentifier.uspto.gov/#/identifier/welcome

Purpose: Patents protect inventions, designs, and certain types of plants.

• Costs:
  • Filing Fees: The basic filing fee for a utility patent can range from $75 to $300 for small entities. For design patents, it's generally lower.
  • Legal Fees: Patent attorney fees can be significant, often ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the invention's complexity.
  • Maintenance Fees: Utility patents require maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant, which can range from $400 to $7,400 depending on the entity size and patent life stage.

These are general estimates and can vary based on the specifics of your case and the professionals you might choose to hire. It's always a good idea to consult with an intellectual property attorney to get a more accurate estimate for your particular situation.

Purpose: Copyrights protect original works of authorship, including literature, music, and art.

• Costs:
  • Filing Fees: The cost to register a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is generally between $35 and $85, depending on the type of work and method of filing.
  • Legal Fees: Attorney fees are usually less for copyrights compared to patents and trademarks and are often not necessary for straightforward cases.
  • Maintenance: There are no maintenance or renewal fees for copyrights.

These are general estimates and can vary based on the specifics of your case and the professionals you might choose to hire. It's always a good idea to consult with an intellectual property attorney to get a more accurate estimate for your particular situation.

Purpose: Trademarks protect brand names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that distinguish goods or services.

• Costs:
  • Filing Fees: The cost to file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) typically ranges from $225 to $400 per class of goods/services.
  • Legal Fees: If you hire a lawyer, expect additional costs ranging from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on the complexity.
  • Maintenance: To maintain the trademark, there are additional fees due between the 5th and 6th year, and every 10 years thereafter, which can be around $400 to $500 per class.

These are general estimates and can vary based on the specifics of your case and the professionals you might choose to hire. It's always a good idea to consult with an intellectual property attorney to get a more accurate estimate for your particular situation.

Yes, see this site, the Georgia Research Alliance.