Tag: Patent Basics
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How Patents Protect You from Big Tech (and When They Don’t)
If you’re building something new—an app, a device, an algorithm—there’s one worry in the back of your mind. What if someone bigger steals your idea? What if a tech giant sees what you’re doing, copies it fast, and pushes you out before you even get your shot? What a Patent Really Does (And Why It’s…
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Can You Sell or License a Patent? Here’s How It Works
You built something great. It solves a real problem. People want it. But now you’re wondering—can you actually sell or license your patent? Can you turn your invention into cash or partnerships? What Selling a Patent Really Means It’s More Than Just a Transaction—It’s a Strategic Business Decision Selling a patent may seem simple on…
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What Happens After You Get a Patent Grant?
So you finally got your patent. The big stamp of approval. The government says, “Yes, this invention is yours.” That’s huge. It means no one else can legally make, use, or sell what you created without your okay. What a Patent Grant Really Means It’s Not Just Protection—It’s Leverage A granted patent doesn’t just sit…
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The Ethics of Patenting: Can You Go Too Far?
Patents are meant to protect. They give inventors a chance to benefit from their hard work. But sometimes, that protection becomes a weapon. A tool to stop others. To block innovation. To keep the market unfair. When this happens, it raises a question: is this still ethical? What Is a Patent, Really? At its core,…
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Should You Patent Everything? The Truth No One Tells You
If you’re building something new, something that could change the game, the question always comes up: should I patent it? It’s not a small question. It’s actually one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a founder or builder. Because what you do with your ideas now can shape your startup’s future—for better or worse.…
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Who Owns a Patent If You Work for a Company?
If you’re working for a company and you invent something, chances are the company owns the patent—not you. Sounds harsh? Maybe. But it’s also the reality of how most jobs and invention rights work, especially in tech, software, biotech, and other fast-moving fields. What Happens When You Invent Something at Work? The idea doesn’t always…
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Can You Patent Software or AI? The 2025 Rulebook
Software and AI are tricky when it comes to patents. They move fast. The rules change. And let’s be honest, most patent processes feel like they were built in the 1800s. But if you’re creating something valuable—like a unique algorithm, a machine learning model, or even just a clever way your software solves a problem—it’s…
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How Patent Expiry Impacts Innovation and Competition
Every product we use today started with an idea. A better way to do something. A spark that someone turned into a real thing. But most of those ideas didn’t just go from notebook to market. They were protected along the way—with patents. What happens when a patent expires The invisible shield comes down When…
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Open Source vs. Patented Tech: What Startups Should Know
This question comes up fast when you’re moving fast. You’ve built something cool. It solves a real problem. Maybe it’s a line of code, maybe it’s a new machine learning model, or maybe it’s a clever way to make a product work better. Either way, you want to make smart choices about how to protect…
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Understanding Patent Citations and Prior Art in Simple Terms
If you’re building something new—writing code, designing hardware, creating something that didn’t exist before—then you’ve probably heard people throw around words like “prior art” and “citations.” Maybe it sounded boring or complicated or like something for lawyers to deal with later. But here’s the truth: understanding this stuff is one of the smartest things you…