Category: Patent Basics

You’ve filed a patent. You hit submit. Maybe you feel a bit of relief. Or maybe you’re already thinking—what if I forgot something? What if the product changes? What if we find a better way to do it later? What Happens Right After You File a Patent It’s not over—it’s just getting started When you…

Missing a deadline with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can feel like a punch to the gut. You’ve worked hard on your invention. You’ve spent time, energy, and maybe even money getting your patent journey going. And now, because of one missed date, it feels like the whole thing might fall apart.…

Getting a 101 or 102 rejection from the USPTO can feel like a punch in the gut. You’ve poured time, thought, and energy into building something new—something that solves a real problem. You file a patent to protect it. And then, out of nowhere, you’re told it’s either not “eligible” or “not new.” That’s rough.…

Checking the status of your patent might sound like a small thing. But it’s not. In fact, it’s one of the smartest habits you can build if you’re a founder, engineer, or inventor trying to protect what you’ve built. This isn’t about obsessing over paperwork. It’s about knowing where you stand. It’s about staying one…

So, you filed your patent. Big win. But here’s the part no one tells you: filing is just the start. What comes next? That’s where things really start to move—or stall. This next phase is called patent prosecution. And no, it’s not about criminal charges. It’s the process of working with the patent office to…

You did the hard part. You built something new, something useful. You filed a patent application. That alone puts you ahead of most builders. But then… silence. Or maybe confusion. Or maybe you got a letter from the patent office that felt like it was written in a different language. Waiting—but Not Just Waiting What…

You filed your patent. You waited. You were excited. Then—bam—a letter shows up from the patent office. It’s called an “office action,” and suddenly you’re staring at a bunch of legal words that sound like you did something wrong. What Is a Patent Office Action? It’s Basically Feedback From the Patent Office When you file…

You’ve done the hard part. You came up with something new. You figured out how to explain it clearly. You filed your patent application. So now what? A lot of founders think that once you hit submit, you’re just waiting. But there’s actually a whole process that kicks off behind the scenes—and the person at…

Let’s keep it real. Most people don’t like hearing the word “rejection.” Especially not when it comes from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) after you’ve put time, energy, and money into your patent application. What exactly is a patent rejection? Understanding the role of a patent examiner A patent rejection isn’t personal—it’s procedural.…

You already did the hard part. You filed your patent application. You took your idea, the thing you’ve been building, tweaking, testing, and protecting—and you turned it into a real legal document. That’s a big step. But maybe you spotted something off. Maybe a feature changed. Or your product evolved. Or you just realized a…