Author: Aindrila Mitra

Letting a patent lapse sounds scary the first time you think about it. Most founders assume every patent must be protected forever or the whole company is at risk. But the truth is more practical. Smart teams let some patents go all the time. Not because they don’t care about their IP, but because they…

When you miss a patent maintenance fee, it feels like the floor drops out from under you. One moment you’re building your product, closing customers, or writing code. The next moment you’re staring at a notice from the USPTO that makes your stomach twist. The truth is simple: missing a maintenance fee can put your…

Paying patent maintenance fees shouldn’t feel scary or confusing. Yet for many founders, engineers, and inventors, it becomes one of those tasks you push off until it feels urgent. The USPTO doesn’t make things easier, and the Patent Center interface can feel like a maze when all you want to do is keep your patent…

When you’re building something new, every dollar matters. And when you’re filing a patent, the fees can stack up fast. The good news is that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office gives big discounts to inventors and startups that qualify as small entities or micro entities. These aren’t fancy terms. They’re simply ways to help…

Most founders don’t think about USPTO fee deadlines until a scary email or a sudden “wait… did we miss something?” moment hits. And honestly, it makes sense. You’re building. You’re shipping. You’re fixing bugs at midnight. You’re trying not to run out of money. The last thing on your mind is a countdown clock tied…

Most founders don’t think about patent maintenance fees until it’s too late. You’re busy building, shipping, and keeping your startup alive. A fee that shows up years after your patent is filed feels like something you can worry about “later.” But maintenance fees aren’t a small detail. They decide whether your patent stays alive or…