Inventor's Product May Go to Market

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, January 12, 2008 - James Albert announced today that he has been given franchise offer by a major United States billiard products manufacturer for his "Rack 'Em Football" game. Originally invented back in 1980, Albert recently dusted off his old prototype and redeveloped it. "The original game lacked excitement -- in fact, it was a bit dull!" Albert said, "So, I made a few changes and reintroduced the game about two or three years ago."

I asked Jim how he came up with the idea of playing football on a pool table. He said, "I'm an avid football fan, and I'm a certified billiard instructor. So I guess it was a natural for me to combine my two favorite games!"

According to Albert, "The game kit will include a football playfield gameboard; marker pegs to mark the position of the 'ball on the field'; a leather dice cup; two twenty-sided dice; pocket markers; and an electronic timer. Most of the `experts' in the business that I've talked to guesstimate that the game will retail for between $30 and $50."

"The idea is that you play football on a pool table. You can score touchdowns, field goals, 1- and 2- point PAT's (points after touchdowns), and safeties -- just like NFL football. There are kickoffs, punts, runbacks, and down play as well. It can be 3rd down and 25 yards to go, and you can throw a long bomb to a receiver in the endzone!"

"Just as in field football, you play four timed quarters. You can either play as partners, teams or individually. The player, partnership or team with the most points when the clock runs out wins the game. If the scores are tied at the end of four quarters -- the game goes into overtime. Many players have told me that they experience the same kind of excitement they would if they were actually playing a game of football."

"Players in the pool hall seem to really like the game. I know with the proper marketing and with the right promotion, it will do very well. The best scenerio is to get the game NFL franchised. A few years back I turned down an offer from a Canadian billiard company. The offer just wasn't right. Hopefully, this time around -- with an American company -- we can come to terms!"

"After inventing the game back in 1980, I started sending photos of the prototype and copies of the rules to toy, game, and billiard manufacturers. At the time, I have to admit, the game wasn't where it should have been. There was very little interest in it, so I shelved it. Then, a few years ago, I took the game off the shelf and I made a few changes and improved it. Now I feel confident that I have a winner!"

The game is fully patented and the rules are copyrighted. "If you ever invent anything don't discuss it with anyone until you have protected yourself. The cheapest, easiest way to do that is to write down a complete description of whatever you invented; take pictures of prototypes, models, etc.; copy all drawings and computer information you might have on it, and send all of these things to yourself 'certified mail.' Once you receive it, KEEP IT SEALED. That way if someone else claims THEY invented it BEFORE you, you have sealed, dated proof! This technique is commonly known as a 'Poor Man's Patent!'"

"I took a different marketing approach this second time around. To fully understand the game – the best way to learn it is to actually play it! I made a little `movie' clip that I sent out to manufacturers, along with photos of the prototype and a set of the rules. I think the movie spurred a little more interest this time. I am ready to go ahead an make a real life action video of two people playing the game if we don't come to terms with this latest offer."

Albert would not disclose the name of the company or the terms of the offer, but he said he will try to have the game manufactured and shipped locally if at all possible. "It would be irresponsible for me to give out details before we even come to terms. Truthfully, I have nothing to hide, but quite frankly, there are some things that really are nobody else's business. An ideal situation for me would be to land a fair, yet lucrative deal for myself, while at the same time bringing jobs and some more industry to the Ironwood area."

Jim Albert is a staff reporter and part owner of the Superior Chronicle.

Steve Frank