Someone told me not to search patents because it can get me in trouble. Is that true?

Before the mid-2000s, there was some risk, but that risk is greatly diminished now. Don’t worry about searching. You need data to make intelligent decisions on the direction of your patent portfolio. Search away!

Steven Saunders is an Intellectual Property Attorney at the Boston-based law firm, Nutter. Steven can be reached at ssaunders@nutter.com.

For more information about Steven, See Steven’s Martin Trust Center Biography at: https://entrepreneurship.mit.edu/profile/steven-saunders/

 

Intellectual Property Protection

23 articles

Why do entrepreneurs need to protect their technical and scientific innovations?

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How can I protect my innovations? I’ve heard of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, etc.

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I don’t have the resources to sue someone who is infringing. Why bother patenting my invention?

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How do I get a patent? Can I prepare a patent myself? I can write a good technical description.

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What experience should I look for in a good patent attorney or patent agent?

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What if I told someone about my innovation? Is it too late to protect it?

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What are the legal requirements to get a patent?

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How do I find out if someone else invented my concept first? Is there a way to search for my concept?

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Is software patentable?

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Even if I can legally get a patent, are there reasons to not get a patent?

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What is a Provisional Patent Application?

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What is the difference between a utility patent and a design patent?

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After I file my patent, I can sell my patented product with no worries, right?

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MIT owns some patents that I’d like to use. How can I do that?

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What are common license terms for intellectual property?

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A license sounds like a big commitment. I’m not ready for that yet. Can I wait a while to take a license?

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Does my US patent protect me in other countries?

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How do I handle international filings?

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External content: What is the patent process? (Via Dragon Innovation)

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External content: Cheat Sheet for Intellectual Property from Bricolage Law LLC

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External Content: Do entrepreneurs really need patents? (via MIT Bootcamps)

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External content: MIT Bootcamps webinar series on IP Law

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