
NEED A PATENT?
If you do pursue a patent, it’s not going to be free! So it pays to first carefully consider…
WHY FILE EARLY?
Filing an application early is an important step to preserve your priority toward getting a patent.
PROVISIONAL FIRST?
A provisional patent application must be well written to effectively establish priority! […]
WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST?
The fees charged by the USPTO are flat fees that vary depending on the size of the organization. […]
WHAT IS IT?
The important question to answer at an early stage, to help rule out unpatentable inventions…
HOW MUCH DETAIL IS NEEDED?
Just mentioning a feature in your patent application won’t necessarily limit you to that feature!
SERIAL NUMBER: YES OR NO?
People commonly ask, “When I mark my product as ‘Patent Pending,’ should I include the serial number…
PATENT PROSECUTOR VS. LITIGATOR
You—yes, YOU!—may find yourself accused of patent infringement, especially if you…
IS IT REALLY NEW?
A lot of people pass on exploring the patentability of their idea because they believe—without actually…
LOSING THE RIGHT TO PATENT
If you are thinking about disclosing your idea publicly before your application is filed, DON’T—especially if…
ALTERNATIVE PROTECTIONS
If you decide to manufacture and/or market your invention yourself, it’s very likely that you’ll also…
NEED A PATENT?
If you do pursue a patent, it’s not going to be free! So it pays to first carefully consider and understand the real reasons you would do it. As a business decision, the economic reasons for pursuing a patent are really the most critical to consider, because they allow you to judge dollars against dollars. Look at the potential monetary benefit, and crunch the numbers that matter: “Will this add enough value to my business to justify the cost?” “Will this net enough cash/stock/credibility when I sell or license it?” “If I can’t sell or license it, am I willing to put in even more money to produce and sell it myself?” Do the math. Then decide. And remember to re-evaluate as you go along. Perhaps only part of the idea turns out to be patentable. Is it the critical part, or could someone produce the product differently without that part and avoid licensing or buying your rights?
