Author: Aindrila Mitra

When it comes to patents, the real game is in the claims. They define what you actually own. They decide how strong your protection is. They set the boundaries for what others can or can’t do with your idea. But here’s the secret that most founders and engineers never learn early enough: your first patent…

When you file your first patent application, the clock starts ticking. That date—the day you file—is called your priority date. It’s more than just a timestamp. It’s your legal “first claim” to the invention. Every improvement, tweak, or new version that follows can trace back to that moment. But only if you do it right.…

When your patent hits a wall at the USPTO, it can feel like you’re stuck. You’ve invested months—maybe years—turning your invention into something real. You’ve filed your application. You’ve gone back and forth with the examiner. And now you’re staring at a tough decision: do you file a Continuation or a Request for Continued Examination…

Sometimes, your invention keeps evolving. You file a patent, but a few months later, you make it better, faster, or smarter. Now you’re stuck wondering—what happens if your new version isn’t exactly the same as what you first filed? Do you have to start all over again? Or can you build on what’s already been…

If you’ve ever filed a patent and got hit with a “restriction requirement,” you know that feeling. The examiner basically says, “Your application covers too many inventions—pick one.” Suddenly, you have to make a choice that could shape your entire IP strategy. And that’s where divisional applications come into play. How to Plan Your Divisional…

Sometimes, your first patent filing isn’t the end. It’s just the start of something bigger. You’ve locked in your original idea—but as your product evolves, so do your inventions. That’s when continuation applications come in. A continuation is like reopening a door you thought was closed. It gives you another shot at claiming more parts…

When you’re building something new, the last thing you want is to lose control over it—especially because of a missed patent detail. You’ve done the hard part: you’ve invented something real, something that works, something that matters. But once your first patent application is filed, new ideas often follow. You tweak things. You improve features.…

Every team that builds something new—whether it’s code, hardware, or a product no one has seen before—faces the same quiet challenge. It’s not just building the thing. It’s making sure the work moves smoothly from that first messy draft to something real, polished, and safe enough to share with the outside world. Building a Clear…

When you file a patent, one thing can make or break your application: how well your claims connect to your drawings. The Patent Office wants to see more than just words. They want to see that every piece of your invention is backed up by something clear in the figures. If your claims float on…

Building something new is exciting. But if you’ve ever worked on a figure, a diagram, or a design, you know how quickly things get messy. One version is saved on your laptop. Another lives in your coworker’s email. A third shows up in a pitch deck. Suddenly, nobody knows which one is the “real” version.…