Category: General IP Management

You’re building something big. You’ve got code, hardware, data—real innovation. You file a patent to protect it, but then it comes back with rejections. Confusing numbers like 101, 102, or 103. Legal language you didn’t ask for. Delays you didn’t plan for. And a whole lot of frustration. What is a 101 Rejection? Understanding the…

When you’re filing a patent, one small decision can make a big difference. One of those early calls is figuring out who to talk to at the USPTO—the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Should you talk to the SPE? Or the Primary Examiner? Or both? What’s the difference between an SPE and a Primary…

You’re building something big. You’re not here to waste time, and you definitely don’t want your patent stuck in some endless loop. But then—your patent application hits a wall. Final rejection. Why this moment matters more than you think It’s not just about the patent—it’s about your timeline, traction, and team When you hit a…

If your patent application gets rejected, you’ve got two main ways forward: file a Request for Continued Examination (RCE), or go for an appeal. Both options come with different timelines, costs, and chances of success. And here’s the real deal: picking the wrong path can waste time, money, and momentum. Understanding What’s at Stake Every…

Most startup founders hear the word “patent” and think one of two things. Either it sounds too complicated, or it sounds too slow. But there’s a middle part of the patent process that’s incredibly important and not often talked about: narrowing your claims to get past the patent examiner. Understanding What Claim Narrowing Really Means…

If you’re building something new—something that could change the game—you’ve probably thought about protecting it. Patents are how you do that. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: where your invention lands inside the patent system matters a lot. Like, a lot. The Software Patent Maze Why software patents feel harder—but don’t have to…

If you’re building something new and exciting, you probably don’t want to wait years to know whether your patent is on the right track. You want clarity, speed, and protection—fast. That’s where something called First-Action Allowance becomes important. What Is First-Action Allowance—And Why It’s Rare The truth most founders don’t hear When most startups think…

Let’s skip the fluff. If you’re building something big—something new—you already know patents can be a powerful shield. But getting that shield in place? It’s tricky. Slow. Confusing. And way too expensive if you’re not careful. What Are Examiner Analytics? Understanding the Person Behind the Process When we talk about examiner analytics, we’re really talking…

There’s one number buried deep in the patent world that hardly anyone talks about. But if you know how to read it—and how to use it—it can totally change your strategy. That number? An examiner’s allowance rate. What Is an Examiner’s Allowance Rate? The Business Signal Hidden in Plain Sight An examiner’s allowance rate isn’t…

If you’re building something new and valuable, you want to protect it. That’s where patents come in. But not every patent application gets approved. Some get stuck for months—or years. Others get rejected over and over again. This can be frustrating, expensive, and slow down your startup. What’s an Art Unit—and Why Should You Care?…