A: There are no guarantees because the buying public can be very fickle. Here are two sets of guidelines that will help you to answer that question:

Guideline 1: The following is a check list to analyze and evaluate the potential of proposed technology or a patent to become a commercial success. Examples are color TVs, jet planes, VCRs, PCs etc.

1. Does it work?
2. Is it protectable?
3. Is there a demonstrated predecessor need?
4. Is it sufficiently better than alternatives?
5. Will it be used?
6. Are there potentially better future competitive alternatives?

Guideline 2: Below are the twelve characteristics of a successful new consumer product taken from guidelines published by the J.C. Penney Company for their buyers.

1. The new product must be an innovative solution to a problem, not simply a solution. It must clearly solve some problem better than any other solution.
2. The new product must be easily understood. Do not try to educate the consumer.
3. The new product must be obvious. Its attributes must be self-evident. It cannot require marketing to distinguish it from its competition.
4. The new product must be low technology. It must sell without a warranty.
5. The product must utilize simple materials and processes. There must be low tooling investment, and it must work.
6. The product must be at the right price point. It must qualify as an impulse purchase or gift and retail for $39.95 or less.
7. The new product must convey consumer satisfaction. It must not be too faddish or temporary.
8. The product must be positive. It cannot be destructive, unsafe, harmful to the environment, sexist and such.
9. The product must be freestanding. It must be independent; it cannot e part of a system. It cannot be tied to the success of another product.
10. The new product must have an established distribution network. It must have a known retail or catalog source for availability.
11. The product must be desirable. It should be irresistible. It can be a "need" but must be a "want" as well.
12. The new product should not appeal to everyone. If it does, there is danger that it will appeal to no one.