3 ms·

Yes, you should talk to a lawyer specializing in patents. How to find one? https://www.google.com/search?q=patent%20attorney https://www.google.com/search?q=pa

by kjksf 12y ago

Yes, you should talk to a lawyer specializing in patents. How to find one? https://www.google.com/search?q=patent%20attorney https://www.google.com/search?q=patent%20attorney Expect to spend ~$10k (lawyer + patent filing fees). That being said: if you don't have resources to defend a patent (read: hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in lawyer fees, months-to-years litigation) then don't bother getting a patent.

nostrademons 12y ago
If you're doing a startup and have the money lying around to file one, it often makes sense to do so just because patents can become significant negotiating leverage in acquisition talks. In the U.S. you have to file before making the invention public, which means that if you want to patent-protect your product at all you often have to do so early on.
rhubarbquid 12y ago
Seconded. Get your legal advice from lawyers not from HN (or any other web forum).
lostinpoetics 12y ago
generally agree. however, 10k is a pretty high estimate unless you want to patent something extremely complex or in operate in a complicated area (generally limited to SC fab or pharma with some others along those lines). most small to mid-sized firms will be more in the 2-5k range, although it will vary depending on location etc. also, many (most?) firms will charge a flat rate for certain services (e.g., drafting and filing) or a capped hourly rate (e.g., $250/hr but no more than $3000). something to keep in mind if an attorney insists on an uncapped hourly rate (which, i hope, would be rare). [edit: after filing attorneys will also charge for responding/arguing with the patent office. this part ('prosecution') usually varies firm to firm but often is very similar (e.g., a set fee for each type of response, which there should only be a few of)]

3 ms·

Yes, you should talk to a lawyer specializing in patents. How to find one? https://www.google.com/search?q=patent%20attorney https://www.google.com/search?q=pa

by kjksf 12y ago

nostrademons 12y ago
If you're doing a startup and have the money lying around to file one, it often makes sense to do so just because patents can become significant negotiating leverage in acquisition talks. In the U.S. you have to file before making the invention public, which means that if you want to patent-protect your product at all you often have to do so early on.
rhubarbquid 12y ago
Seconded. Get your legal advice from lawyers not from HN (or any other web forum).
lostinpoetics 12y ago
generally agree. however, 10k is a pretty high estimate unless you want to patent something extremely complex or in operate in a complicated area (generally limited to SC fab or pharma with some others along those lines). most small to mid-sized firms will be more in the 2-5k range, although it will vary depending on location etc. also, many (most?) firms will charge a flat rate for certain services (e.g., drafting and filing) or a capped hourly rate (e.g., $250/hr but no more than $3000). something to keep in mind if an attorney insists on an uncapped hourly rate (which, i hope, would be rare). [edit: after filing attorneys will also charge for responding/arguing with the patent office. this part ('prosecution') usually varies firm to firm but often is very similar (e.g., a set fee for each type of response, which there should only be a few of)]