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The blog

Plain English patent knowledge.

Written by the attorney, for inventors. No legalese, no scare tactics, no fluff. Just what 25+ years of patent law teaches you to tell people before they spend money.

Patent Basics

How to Know If Your Product Is Ready for a Patent (Before You Spend Thousands)

One of the most common questions I hear from inventors is:…

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Patent Basics

Utility Patents vs. Design Patents: Which One Do You Actually Need for Your Product?

If you’ve been Googling “how to patent my product,” you’ve probably run into two main types of patents:…

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Search & Analysis

What Is a Green Light Patent Case? How I Decide What to Recommend

Every Step 2 search I run ends the same way: with a written analysis that culminates in one of three recommendations. Green light, yellow light, or re…

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Inventor Tips

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Inventors Make Before Talking to a Patent Attorney

Most inventors don’t realize that certain early decisions can make or break their patent rights before an attorney ever sees the idea. Here are the th…

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Timelines & Process

How Long Does It Really Take to Get a Patent? Standard vs. Expedited Track One

Inventors are often shocked when they learn the real answer to:…

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Patent Basics

Flat-Fee Patent Attorney vs. Hourly Billing: Pros, Cons, and Hidden Risks

Most inventors have no idea how dramatically different the patent experience is depending on the attorney’s billing model. Let’s break down flat fee v…

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Search & Analysis

What Is a Prior Art Search and Why You Should Never Skip It

If there’s one step that saves inventors more money than anything else, it’s a real prior art search. And yet, it’s one of the most misunderstood (and…

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Patent Basics

Can I Still Get a Patent If I Already Showed My Product Publicly?

A lot of inventors find me in a mild panic:…

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Patent Basics

Micro-Entity, Small-Entity, or Large-Entity: Which USPTO Fee Category Are You?

Your USPTO fee status can change your government patent costs by thousands of dollars.…

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Timelines & Process

From Idea to Issued Patent in About a Year: How Track One Really Works

Most inventors are surprised to learn that you don’t have to wait 3-5 years for a patent. With the USPTO’s Track One prioritized examination program, …

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Inventor Tips

Why Most Inventors Overvalue Their Patent, and How to Think About Real World Value

I’ve never met a serious inventor who wasn’t proud of their idea. That pride is a good thing, but it can also cause massive overvaluation of what a pa…

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Inventor Tips

How to Talk to Manufacturers and Investors Before Your Patent Is Granted

You might need to talk to manufacturers, investors, or potential partners before your patent is granted, sometimes even before it’s filed.…

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Search & Analysis

What I Look for in a Red-Light Patent Case (and Why I Say “No” Sometimes)

One of the most valuable things a patent attorney can say to an inventor is a simple word:…

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