Category: Patent Basics
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How to Use Patent Analytics While Your Application Is Pending
So, you’ve filed a patent application. Great move. You’ve taken the first real step toward protecting your invention. But now you’re in a holding pattern. The patent office is reviewing things, and it can take months—or even years—before you hear back. Making the Wait Work for You Why This Waiting Time Matters More Than You…
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Should You File Continuations or Divisionals After Filing?
You already filed your patent. Maybe it’s pending, maybe it’s granted. But now you’re wondering: Should you file something more? Maybe a continuation? Maybe a divisional? You’re not alone. A lot of smart founders and inventors have this same question. And the answer could be the difference between locking in strong protection—or leaving your idea…
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What If Someone Tries to Copy Your Invention During Pending Status?
You’ve filed your patent application. You finally took the step. You described your invention. You hit submit. You’re now officially patent-pending. But then something weird happens. You see a similar product show up online. What “Patent Pending” Really Means (And What It Doesn’t) It’s Not Just a Legal Term. It’s a Business Signal. When people…
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Can You License or Sell a Patent That’s Not Granted Yet?
Let’s say you’ve built something new. Something powerful. Maybe it’s a unique software process, a smart piece of hardware, or a clever system that solves a big problem. You’re moving fast, building the next big thing—and you know it’s valuable. What You Actually Own Before a Patent Is Granted The Power of a Patent Application…
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What to Know About Publication of Your Patent at 18 Months
You’ve built something new. Something that solves a real problem. Maybe it’s a piece of code, a new kind of hardware, or a clever system that changes how things work. You file a patent application to protect it. And then… silence. But behind the scenes, a timer starts ticking. Fast forward 18 months, and suddenly,…
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How to Manage Invention Disclosure While Your Patent Is in Review
You’ve built something new. It’s clever. It’s real. And it might just be the edge that puts your startup on the map. So you did the smart thing: you filed a patent. That part’s done. Now comes the tricky bit. Your invention is under review. It’s sitting with the patent office, waiting for approval. You’re…
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What Happens If You Get a Restriction Requirement?
You’re building something big. Maybe it’s software, maybe it’s hardware, maybe it’s a blend of both. Either way, it’s your idea. And now you’ve done the hard part—you’ve filed a patent. You’re hoping to protect what you’ve built so no one else can copy it. But then, just when you think you’re on track, the…
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What Triggers a Patent Abandonment and How to Avoid It
So many founders pour their heart into building something amazing. A breakthrough idea. A clever new tool. A better way to do something hard. But then—right when they’re close to protecting it legally—they accidentally drop the ball. And boom. The patent they worked so hard on? Gone. Just like that. The Real Reasons Patents Get…
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Post-Filing Communication: How to Talk to the USPTO Strategically
You’ve filed your patent. That’s huge. But the journey doesn’t stop there. The real game begins after you hit submit. This is where founders either gain an edge—or lose months to back-and-forth confusion with the USPTO. Understanding What Happens After You File The Waiting Game Isn’t Just Waiting Once you file a patent, your application…
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How to Know If Your Patent Strategy Needs a Course Correction
Let’s get straight to it. You’re building something big. Maybe it’s a breakthrough in AI, a new way to automate something old, or a system that could shake up an entire industry. You’re moving fast, and your team is focused on building, shipping, and staying ahead. What a Strong Patent Strategy Actually Looks Like It’s…