3 ms·
The USPTO is backed up by several years. Even if you have a cookie cutter patent application, it will take several years before it is issued. It also commits
by jyu 19y ago
The USPTO is backed up by several years. Even if you have a cookie cutter patent application, it will take several years before it is issued. It also commits you towards a product/strategy direction when it may be better to not file, and stay flexible.
Software intellectual property is typically protected by trade secret rather than patents.
- anamax 19y ago> It also commits you towards a product/strategy direction when it may be better to not file, and stay flexible. No, it doesn't. Filing a patent application doesn't obligate you to practice it. Trademarks are use it or lose it.
- jyu 19y agoyou're right that there is no specific obligation. however, if you spend $20k+ and several years of partial mindshare on a specific technology, you're much more committed and thus less flexible. trade secret and trademarks are two different things.