The Difference Between Innovation And Invention

from the important-lessons... dept

Tue, Mar 22nd 2005 3:29pm — Mike Masnick

For all the talk about protecting innovation, we've often pointed out that the patent system seems to do the exact opposite -- making it more difficult for those who are actually innovating, while giving money to those who haven't done anything at all. Last year, Michael Schrage wrote an interesting piece pointing out the very important differences between invention and innovation, where he noted that innovation is more important -- but the patent system is more about protecting invention. Basically, plenty of people or companies who "invented" an idea were never able to capitalize on the idea at all. It took others who actually innovated and built off that idea to make a product that actually had an impact on the world. Helping to prove that point are a bunch of example cases where the initial inventor of something wasn't the one to make it valuable. In a market driven economy, the real winner is the company that can make something valuable through innovation -- not the inventor who happens to come up with something that the market may or may not want.

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52 Comments

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Abiodun, 23 Jun 2006 @ 11:18am

Invention vs Innovation
Creativity is seeing what everyone sees and thinking what no one else has thought before. Invention is transforming these new thoughts into tangible ideas. Innovation is introducing these ideas to the end-user. Innovation is channeling creativity (managing its application i.e. invention) so as to produce ideas/products that people can and wish to use (i.e. marketable).
For an invention, the focus is on novelty and this is a key criterion for patenting. In other words, it must be new to its field all over the world. Innovation on the other hand does not have to be new except in a specific situation. Thus, as long as a firm (for instance) is having something for the first time, it is innovative in their context irrespective of whether it is new to their industry, country or the world.
Characteristically, an invention is anything that is novel and potentially practically applicable; an innovation is essentially novel, practically applicable and introduced to the market. Thus innovation may be seen as equal to invention plus exploitation i.e. invention plus commercialization and/or application of new knowledge in production in a particular environment.
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Muhammad Kamran, 13 Sep 2006 @ 10:33pm

Inoovation, Invention and Creativity
hi i am student of Mba and i want to know about above mention topics. please mail me about these topics with relevant material.
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Sam, 20 Jan 2007 @ 2:21am

Re: Invention vs Innovation
Abiodun, i agree with most of what you have written apart from this part 'Invention is transforming these new thoughts into tangible ideas. Innovation is introducing these ideas to the end-user. '

this implies that invention is an early stage and innovation is the end stage, however I think that an invention and innovation both introduce a new product/idea etc to the end-user, not just innovation.
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Leong Him Woh, 22 Feb 2007 @ 5:50pm

Inventions
I agreed with you. Inventions may not be marketable until it became innovations.
http://henryleong-innovations.blogspot.com/
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OJO OLADOKUN, 23 Feb 2007 @ 6:50am

INNOVATION Vs INVENTION
HAVING READ THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF XXXXX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXXX X XX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXX XXXX XXXX. XXXXXXXXXXX, X XXX
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Tony Bright, 12 May 2007 @ 11:46am

Inventions need Capital to become an Innovation
Most Inventions never become Innovations in the marketplace due to lack of funding. I have the solution to this common problem.

Free Consultation!
www.nopieinthesky.net
Thanks,
Tony
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Ms. Howard, 24 Jun 2007 @ 9:55am

Understanding the difference between Innovation an
I do understand what you are trying to say. In terms of the statements about Invention is transforming these new thoughts into tangible ideas and Innovation is introducing these ideas to the end-user. I believe that persons are misinterpreting what you are trying to say when what you really mean is that; an invention is more of a manufactured idea or product while an innovation is more of an idea that may or may not be a manufactured idea or product.
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sssssssssssssssssssssssss, 25 Sep 2007 @ 7:30am

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Kassia, 15 Oct 2007 @ 6:39am

HELP
is poutine a invetion or innovation ??
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raj, 26 Nov 2007 @ 11:00pm

Re: Inoovation, Invention and Creativity
innovatio is a concept
while invention is the result of the concept.
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Ideabobber, 11 Feb 2008 @ 8:34am

Re:
Yes, inventions are the end product of the process of innovating on a previous invention.

----------
Ideabobber.com - the place to float, vote and search for ideas
(http://www.ideabobber.com)
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alex lew, 3 Mar 2008 @ 4:13am

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sidra jillani, 20 Mar 2008 @ 12:45pm

BA marketing london
bad ideas 4 both
[ link to this | view in thread ]
moustapha, 18 Jul 2008 @ 3:11pm

dd
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[ link to this | view in thread ]
Berhanu, 6 Sep 2008 @ 2:34am

i disagree the comment on 4th step.The invantion is a key source to change the world. No innovation with out invention. Some of you raised "Inventions may not be marketable " ,but market is depend on existance of some thing or service.
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Amit, 8 Oct 2008 @ 6:57am

Innovation,Invention and Entrepreneurship
I think
Invention is a scientific fact
Innovation is an economic fact
and Hence Entrepreneurhip is the Sum of Innovation and Invention. E=2I
And It is an Entrepreneur who makes money out of Innovationa and Invention
Example:-
Gramhaphone is a Invention
i-pod or i-phone is a Innovation and
making money is an Entrevation

Regards
Amit Jain
jainamit2020.blogspot.com
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sachin.s.h, 2 Nov 2008 @ 9:28am

As invention and innovation r dependent with each in some cases there are dependent to make or desire and some cases there dependent.. as i must both invention innovation can develop the new world...
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rendom, 18 Jan 2009 @ 2:59am

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[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ccott Carpenter, 25 Jan 2009 @ 2:39pm

invention vs. innovation
I agree with Abiodun's observation. My question however is if one is an inventor and wishes to become an innovator, what would be the recommended course of action. Seems that inventors sell the patents for pennies only to witness them making others wealthy. I am personally living this decison today. I have developed a technology that in my world is a revolutionary advantage to the manufacturing world. Unfortunately, I am not an innovator and therefore not able to deliver my product to a captured audience. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
~SC
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Samson Opiyo, 22 Feb 2009 @ 10:54am

innovation vs invention
I think
we should get something right here. That invention is managing the application of creativity and/or innovation does not mean it is the end product of innovation. It extends further to meeting the needs of the end-users through the well researched demand of the consumers(market analysis.
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Rajesh, 8 Mar 2009 @ 11:31pm

innovation vs invention
it will be good if its explained with example. Iphone is a innovation or invention and why ???
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Veena, 31 May 2009 @ 8:50am

Invention vs innovation
innovation is the implementation of idea succesfully...whereas invention is just testin idea on paper,not actual implementation of it!
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caroline, 21 Sep 2009 @ 9:55am

Hey i am a 7th grader in tec class and this did no realy help me..all i need is just a plane siml answer...........whats the differrence!?
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abirami.n, 8 Oct 2009 @ 2:15am

Both invention and innovations are inter-related..there can be no inventions without innovation.And invention leads to innovation of further inventions..
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Ron Martinez, 18 Oct 2009 @ 1:16pm

Invention vs. Innovation
I know this is an older thread, but would like to add that it is equally useful to look at the relationship possible between invention and innovation - a virtuous circle that amplifies the value in both patentable invention and product innovation.

By the way, disagree with the definition. Both patentable invention and new product formulations can be correctly called "innovation." The narrowing of the term to apply only to product innovation strikes me as unnecessary and muddying, not clarifying. Better: patentable invention and product innovation. Always best to trade malformed pith for clarity.
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Ron Martinez (profile), 18 Oct 2009 @ 1:25pm

Re: your question
Invention carries with it the connotation of developing or designing something that may or may not be delivered to the marketplace, or if delivered, may not be successful in the marketplace, but which may still be patented. Look up patents to understand the role they play in providing some measure of protection to those who come up with original designs. Note also that not everyone agrees with the concept that someone may "own an idea." (This is a mis-statement of what a patent is, but there are reasonable people who disagree with the patent system, in any event.)

Innovation is simply to create or introduce something new.

This article maybe didn't clarify because in fact, invention IS a form of innovation. What the author is going for here is a distinction that defines invention as "innovating for the purposes of obtaining a patent," and defines innovation as "innovating for the purposes of delivering successful products." As I've written elsewhere, I think this redefinition of terms is merely confusing, though I understand the intent. And as others have commented, innovation and invention are closely interrelated.

I hope this helps!

Ron
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Ron Martinez (profile), 18 Oct 2009 @ 1:27pm

Re:
On the money...
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faysal, 15 Dec 2009 @ 1:23am

enterpereneurship
i need more information of enterpereneurship
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Jan 2010 @ 4:43am

Re: INNOVATION Vs INVENTION
wtf xxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx x xxxxxx xxxx x xxxxx and go suck my mum
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K moe min, 20 Mar 2010 @ 7:26pm

Innovation Vs invention
Invention is only the first step in a long process of bringing a good idea to widespread and effective use. Being a good inventor is no guarantee of commercial success. Most of the inventions are ended up in the laboratories and never come out to commercial use.

novation is the successful exploitation of the new ideas.
Companies achieve competitive advantage through acts of innovation. They approach innovation in its broadest sense , including both new technologies and new ways of doing things
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jimmy, 30 Aug 2010 @ 9:31am

Re: Invention vs Innovation
you are very funny! even though i reported you!and need to get a life!
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helen, 30 Aug 2010 @ 9:32am

Re: innovation vs invention
you really suck big harry balls!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anil, 31 Aug 2010 @ 6:38am

invention vs innovation
Invention is something that can transforming the existing idea into usable thing by people in the world while innovation is making or adding new the existing one by which technology is used more and physical work is reducing
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weird, 9 Sep 2010 @ 12:30pm

Re: Inoovation, Invention and Creativity
your weird
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shiki, 19 Jun 2011 @ 1:14am

hi
i think there is the missappropriation in the use of the words, invention and innovation..
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samson, 3 Jul 2011 @ 12:12pm

wel both concept are vital in advancing d standard of livin but i think d innovator have sucessful exploit d market gogibilities of d inventors.mail me 4 any contradictings
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A H Koraal, 16 Sep 2011 @ 11:08am

business education
invention means creating some thing new which is not in existance or bring up with new idea whereas innovation means bringing some thing new in the existing body of knowledge.innovation is novelty and creating some features in the things.
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Vijay Bishwas, 30 Sep 2011 @ 5:24pm

Re: Inoovation, Invention and Creativity
Hii,In my view of discussion,innovation is incremental or gradual changes in process, techniques or method to moderate producu features. on the other hand,invention is radicaly changeable to its subject matter,an existing product alters some new product with uniqe features.
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Archana, 22 Nov 2011 @ 2:53am

invention and innovetion
EXISTING NEW THING INVETION..

ADDING SOMTHING NEW FEATURE INNOVETION...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
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samueal j awani, 25 Sep 2012 @ 11:51am

posibility offer for the best interest of both parties
I'm an inventor with creativity, my ideas are 100% of a product. Which can make value and interest from the public.

If a company offers a posiblity of accepting a product as they have seen the potential image of the ideas. What can the inventor do to exstblich a more favourable/friendly enviroment for himself before the company?
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Pakpimol Mahannop, 15 Feb 2013 @ 10:32pm

Difference: creativity, invention, and innovation
Creativity ---- Invention ---- User for development ----------- Innovation
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unathi, 7 Mar 2013 @ 8:11am

Re: Inoovation, Invention and Creativity
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Apr 2013 @ 2:52am

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[ link to this | view in thread ]
Abdullah Muhsin, 6 Jan 2014 @ 2:42am

Re: Invention vs Innovation
hi abiodun,

your explanation is exactly what i was looking for. couldn't have explained it better myself.

thanks & regards
abdullah
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M.L.GARG, 4 Mar 2014 @ 4:00am

Invention vs innovation
Invention is creating something new which is not existing in this world. The degree of its utility may vary. Innovation is giving it a shape so that it can be useful. It is introduction of some thing new which may be an invention also
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Rana Saeed, 10 Jul 2016 @ 4:03am

Gc University Faisalabad Pakistan
Invention vs innovation:- It is developed with the connotation of development or design something that can not be provided or were on the market, or if recovered, could not succeed in the market, but still can not be patented. The role of patents in providing some protection for those who come up with original artwork understand they play. Note that all agree with the idea that anyone can do "to the idea." (This is a misrepresentation of what a patent, but reasonable people who disagree with the patent system, in any case.
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