Author: Aindrila Mitra

When you’re building something new—something that matters—it’s easy to focus on code, customers, and capital. Patents can feel like the last thing you want to deal with. But here’s the truth: if your invention is valuable enough to build, it’s valuable enough to protect. How IDS Works and Why It’s Non-Negotiable When a business invests…

When you file a patent, the law gives you a kind of “first in line” ticket. That ticket—called your priority date—protects your place in time. It says, “I was here first. I invented this.” But here’s the part most founders miss: that ticket can vanish if you break the chain. The Hidden Trap: How One…

When you file a patent, every word in your claims defines the walls around your idea. Those claims decide what’s yours—and what’s still fair game for others. But here’s something many inventors and startups miss: when you add or change claims later, those changes can quietly shrink your protection without you even realizing it. That’s…

If you’ve ever watched a competitor launch something that feels suspiciously close to your invention, you know that gut-punch feeling. You had the idea first. You built it, you filed your patent, you moved fast. But now someone else is pushing a “new” version that sits right next to yours in the market — and…

You finally got that notice you’ve been waiting for — your patent application is allowed. It feels amazing. You’ve spent months (maybe years) building something original, proving it works, and showing it’s different from everything else out there. Now, the finish line is in sight. But right before you hit “submit” on your issue fee,…

When you’re growing a company and building something new, patents can feel like one more big, expensive puzzle. You know they matter. You know they protect your hard work. But when it comes to actually planning the cost and timeline—especially for a family filing—things can get confusing fast. How a Family Filing Really Works (and…

Filing a patent isn’t just about locking in your idea—it’s about timing, precision, and what’s already on paper. That’s especially true when you file something called a “Continuation-in-Part,” or CIP. On paper, it sounds like a simple update to an old patent. In practice, it’s one of the trickiest moves a founder or engineer can…

When you file a patent, you’re trying to capture the heart of your invention—the thing that makes it special. But sometimes, your invention doesn’t fit neatly into one box. It might have several ideas that are connected, but not identical. And that’s where things get tricky. Understanding Unity of Invention — Why the Patent Office…

When you’re building something new—something that could change how people live or work—it’s easy to get lost in the tech. You’re writing code, refining models, running tests, making it better every day. But at some point, you stop and think: How do I protect this? When Should You Use a Terminal Disclaimer (and When You…

There’s a quiet move smart founders use to keep their patent power growing long after the first filing. It’s not about filing faster or paying more. It’s about keeping your patent family alive. This move is called the serial continuation play, and it’s how the savviest companies—from deep tech startups to the biggest names in…