World Patent Marketing
Invention Fraud Scheme
CLASSIFICATION: Financial Crime
LOCATION
Miami, Florida
TIME PERIOD
2014-2018
VICTIMS
1000 confirmed
World Patent Marketing (WPM), founded in 2014 by Scott G. Cooper, operated as a fraudulent invention-promotion firm based in Miami, Florida, and was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in May 2018 following an extensive investigation. The company defrauded thousands of inventors out of millions of dollars by promising lucrative patent agreements and failing to deliver any services after collecting upfront fees ranging from $8,000 to over $65,000. Scott G. Cooper was banned from the patent industry and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fines as a result of the FTC's findings, which revealed that WPM used intimidation tactics to discourage complaints and falsely advertised success stories to lure clients. The case remains a significant example of fraud in the invention promotion industry, highlighting the need for increased scrutiny of similar businesses.
Scott G. Cooper is believed to have orchestrated a sophisticated scam that exploited the hopes of inventors, particularly targeting military veterans with promises of lucrative patent agreements. Many speculate that the company's use of high-profile advisory board members was a deliberate tactic to lend credibility to its fraudulent operations. Additionally, there are theories that Cooper may have had connections to other fraudulent schemes, raising concerns about a broader network of invention scams.
World Patent Marketing: A Scheme Unveiled
In the bustling city of Miami, a company called World Patent Marketing emerged in 2014, presenting itself as a beacon for aspiring inventors. Founded by Scott G. Cooper, this supposed invention-promotion firm promised a pathway to patent success. However, behind its glossy facade lay a fraudulent operation that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would eventually expose as a scam that defrauded countless hopeful inventors.
A Deceptive Beginning
World Patent Marketing, or WPM, styled itself as a vertically integrated manufacturer and engineer of patented products. Their allure was irresistible to many: a company that not only supported military veterans with discounts but also promised to bring inventive ideas to market. Advertisements flourished on television and the internet, drawing in would-be inventors with stories of success. Yet, once customers paid upfront fees ranging from $8,000 to over $65,000, the promised services seldom materialized.
The FTC's investigation in May 2017 revealed the company's true nature. Potential customers, eager to see their ideas patented, were subjected to a scripted sales pitch. They were told that their proposals were under review by a non-existent "review team" and backed by an equally fictitious "Harvard University & MIT Research Team." These fabrications were part of a ploy to make customers believe their ideas had potential. In reality, WPM never declined an idea, and their so-called marketability studies were a sham.
Unbelievable Claims and Products
WPM's marketing strategy included bizarre and implausible inventions. Among their touted collaborations was a "Masculine Toilet" designed for well-endowed males, a supposed partnership with physicist Ronald Mallett to develop a time-travel machine, and a website that claimed to have proof of Bigfoot's existence. Such claims were as fantastical as their promises to inventors.
Silencing Dissent
The FTC uncovered that WPM used intimidation to silence dissatisfied customers. A Forbes investigation highlighted an email sent to a woman who sought a refund through the Better Business Bureau. She was threatened with federal extortion charges by a company lawyer, citing 18 U.S.C. § 875(d). Further emails from WPM boasted of a security team composed of ex-Israeli Special Ops, trained in Krav Maga, creating a chilling atmosphere for anyone contemplating a complaint.
In an attempt to suppress criticism, Matthew Whitaker, an advisory board member and future Acting Attorney General, personally threatened the operator of Ripoff Report, a consumer complaint site, demanding the removal of negative posts about WPM.
The Illustrious Advisory Board
WPM's advisory board was a key element of their deceptive strategy. The board included influential figures such as former US Attorneys, members of President Obama's advisory council, military generals, and even a founder of Occupy Democrats, Omar Rivero. These associations lent an air of legitimacy to the company. However, not all board members were complicit. Aileen M. Marty, a professor of infectious disease, was promised involvement in patent reviews that never occurred, prompting her to return her payment and disassociate from WPM.
In 2017, former board member Brian Mast revealed that his appointment had been made without his consent. Meanwhile, Whitaker, despite media reports, did not return his advisory fees following the company's collapse.
The Downfall
The charade could not last forever. In April 2016, Crystal Carlson, a disgruntled customer, began connecting with other victims through Facebook. She discovered that the supposed success story of "Teddy's Ballie Bumpers" was a facade—the inventor had been left with unsold inventory and no patent. Carlson's efforts culminated in a class-action lawsuit in December 2016, accusing WPM of deception, fraud, and violations of the American Inventors Protection Act's disclosure rules.
The FTC took decisive action. In March 2017, WPM was shut down. Their investigation revealed that Scott J. Cooper and his company had extracted millions from inventors based on false hopes and testimonials. By 2018, Cooper was banned from the patent industry, and while $26 million had been invested in the company, only $2 million could be traced by the FTC.
Conclusion
World Patent Marketing serves as a cautionary tale of ambition and deceit. What began as an alluring promise to help inventors turned into a nightmare for many, leaving them with nothing but shattered dreams and financial ruin. The company's downfall stands as a testament to the enduring fight against fraud and the resilience of those who dare to seek justice.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on World Patent Marketing.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Company Founded
World Patent Marketing is founded by Scott G. Cooper in Miami.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
Victims of World Patent Marketing file a class-action lawsuit alleging fraud and deception.
FTC Undercover Investigation
An undercover FTC investigator contacts WPM with an invention idea, revealing deceptive practices.
FTC Shuts Down WPM
The Federal Trade Commission shuts down World Patent Marketing due to fraudulent activities.
FTC Report Released
The FTC releases a report detailing WPM's fraudulent business practices and methods.
Cooper Banned
Scott G. Cooper is banned from the patent industry and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fines.
Media Coverage Intensifies
Media outlets report on the involvement of Matthew Whitaker in WPM and the company's fraudulent activities.
World Patent Marketing (WPM), founded in 2014 by Scott G. Cooper, operated as a fraudulent invention-promotion firm based in Miami, Florida, and was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in May 2018 following an extensive investigation. The company defrauded thousands of inventors out of millions of dollars by promising lucrative patent agreements and failing to deliver any services after collecting upfront fees ranging from $8,000 to over $65,000. Scott G. Cooper was banned from the patent industry and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fines as a result of the FTC's findings, which revealed that WPM used intimidation tactics to discourage complaints and falsely advertised success stories to lure clients. The case remains a significant example of fraud in the invention promotion industry, highlighting the need for increased scrutiny of similar businesses.
Scott G. Cooper is believed to have orchestrated a sophisticated scam that exploited the hopes of inventors, particularly targeting military veterans with promises of lucrative patent agreements. Many speculate that the company's use of high-profile advisory board members was a deliberate tactic to lend credibility to its fraudulent operations. Additionally, there are theories that Cooper may have had connections to other fraudulent schemes, raising concerns about a broader network of invention scams.
World Patent Marketing: A Scheme Unveiled
In the bustling city of Miami, a company called World Patent Marketing emerged in 2014, presenting itself as a beacon for aspiring inventors. Founded by Scott G. Cooper, this supposed invention-promotion firm promised a pathway to patent success. However, behind its glossy facade lay a fraudulent operation that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would eventually expose as a scam that defrauded countless hopeful inventors.
A Deceptive Beginning
World Patent Marketing, or WPM, styled itself as a vertically integrated manufacturer and engineer of patented products. Their allure was irresistible to many: a company that not only supported military veterans with discounts but also promised to bring inventive ideas to market. Advertisements flourished on television and the internet, drawing in would-be inventors with stories of success. Yet, once customers paid upfront fees ranging from $8,000 to over $65,000, the promised services seldom materialized.
The FTC's investigation in May 2017 revealed the company's true nature. Potential customers, eager to see their ideas patented, were subjected to a scripted sales pitch. They were told that their proposals were under review by a non-existent "review team" and backed by an equally fictitious "Harvard University & MIT Research Team." These fabrications were part of a ploy to make customers believe their ideas had potential. In reality, WPM never declined an idea, and their so-called marketability studies were a sham.
Unbelievable Claims and Products
WPM's marketing strategy included bizarre and implausible inventions. Among their touted collaborations was a "Masculine Toilet" designed for well-endowed males, a supposed partnership with physicist Ronald Mallett to develop a time-travel machine, and a website that claimed to have proof of Bigfoot's existence. Such claims were as fantastical as their promises to inventors.
Silencing Dissent
The FTC uncovered that WPM used intimidation to silence dissatisfied customers. A Forbes investigation highlighted an email sent to a woman who sought a refund through the Better Business Bureau. She was threatened with federal extortion charges by a company lawyer, citing 18 U.S.C. § 875(d). Further emails from WPM boasted of a security team composed of ex-Israeli Special Ops, trained in Krav Maga, creating a chilling atmosphere for anyone contemplating a complaint.
In an attempt to suppress criticism, Matthew Whitaker, an advisory board member and future Acting Attorney General, personally threatened the operator of Ripoff Report, a consumer complaint site, demanding the removal of negative posts about WPM.
The Illustrious Advisory Board
WPM's advisory board was a key element of their deceptive strategy. The board included influential figures such as former US Attorneys, members of President Obama's advisory council, military generals, and even a founder of Occupy Democrats, Omar Rivero. These associations lent an air of legitimacy to the company. However, not all board members were complicit. Aileen M. Marty, a professor of infectious disease, was promised involvement in patent reviews that never occurred, prompting her to return her payment and disassociate from WPM.
In 2017, former board member Brian Mast revealed that his appointment had been made without his consent. Meanwhile, Whitaker, despite media reports, did not return his advisory fees following the company's collapse.
The Downfall
The charade could not last forever. In April 2016, Crystal Carlson, a disgruntled customer, began connecting with other victims through Facebook. She discovered that the supposed success story of "Teddy's Ballie Bumpers" was a facade—the inventor had been left with unsold inventory and no patent. Carlson's efforts culminated in a class-action lawsuit in December 2016, accusing WPM of deception, fraud, and violations of the American Inventors Protection Act's disclosure rules.
The FTC took decisive action. In March 2017, WPM was shut down. Their investigation revealed that Scott J. Cooper and his company had extracted millions from inventors based on false hopes and testimonials. By 2018, Cooper was banned from the patent industry, and while $26 million had been invested in the company, only $2 million could be traced by the FTC.
Conclusion
World Patent Marketing serves as a cautionary tale of ambition and deceit. What began as an alluring promise to help inventors turned into a nightmare for many, leaving them with nothing but shattered dreams and financial ruin. The company's downfall stands as a testament to the enduring fight against fraud and the resilience of those who dare to seek justice.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on World Patent Marketing.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Company Founded
World Patent Marketing is founded by Scott G. Cooper in Miami.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
Victims of World Patent Marketing file a class-action lawsuit alleging fraud and deception.
FTC Undercover Investigation
An undercover FTC investigator contacts WPM with an invention idea, revealing deceptive practices.
FTC Shuts Down WPM
The Federal Trade Commission shuts down World Patent Marketing due to fraudulent activities.
FTC Report Released
The FTC releases a report detailing WPM's fraudulent business practices and methods.
Cooper Banned
Scott G. Cooper is banned from the patent industry and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fines.
Media Coverage Intensifies
Media outlets report on the involvement of Matthew Whitaker in WPM and the company's fraudulent activities.