Blog

Plain-English IP, for people who build things.

Articles written the way I explain things on a call: no jargon for its own sake, and no pretending easy things are hard.

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:

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:

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.

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…

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.

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:

After Issuance

What Happens After Your Patent Is Granted? Maintenance Fees, Licensing, and Enforcement Basics

Many inventors think the story ends with:

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…

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…