Скачать или смотреть Are Patents Hurting Your Startup?

Startups often make critical legal mistakes by focusing too much on getting a patent to issue upfront, a strategy that can backfire. Patent attorney Mark Trenner provides a practical approach, one used by the Big Tech companies, emphasizing the importance of a phased patent filing strategy. Using provisional patent applications wisely can help protect your intellectual property without draining resources early on, a crucial issue for startups.

Driven by a fear of being copied, many founders try to file expensive, full utility patent applications and international filings immediately. This approach is a trap. It forces a false choice between spending all your seed money on legal fees or spending it on product development and marketing. This mistake can drain your budget, leaving you with a "protected" idea but no cash to build the product or get it to market.

Mark Trenner has worked with some of the biggest tech companies in the world, and he's adapted their patent filing strategies for startups. In this video he outlines a far more practical and strategic two-step approach.

Step 1: Scout the Land Before filing anything - start with a professional patent prior art search. This is critical to understanding the landscape. Is your idea truly new, or is the field crowded? This search allows you to refine your product's unique aspects or even pivot before you've wasted thousands on a patent application that may never be granted.

Step 2: Plant Your Flag—Fast. If the search is clear, the next move is not a full utility application. Instead, you file a provisional patent application (PPA). This is the strategy the major tech players use.

A PPA is the quickest, most cost-effective way to get official "Patent Pending" status, often for about one-third the cost of a full application. The moment it's filed, you lock in your "priority date."

The Power of the 12-Month "Patent Pending" Window. This priority date is your place in line. It protects your rights in the US and preserves your option to file in most foreign countries for the next 12 months.

This 12-month window is your secret weapon. It's not for waiting; it's for building. With your core idea protected, you now have a full year to raise funds, talk to investors, refine your product, test the market, and find product-market fit—all without losing any patent rights. This allows you to validate your business before committing to the high cost of a full patent.

In the next video, Mark will explain another advanced strategy that the Big Tech companies use for handling product changes and new features during that 12-month window, so your patent protection can evolve with your product.

To map out a strategic patent plan for your startup, book a call here: https://ipatentattorney.com/free-pate...

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.