I have a two person tech startup. Getting very warm reception on prototype and about to negotiate a pilot with a company, as well as start speaking with investors.

It’s too early to file for patent, but I know there is an issue where disclosure of the idea or product turns it into prior art/public knowledge, which you cannot then patent (save for a grace period, depending on country).

How careful were other founders in sharing info? Did you try not to put much detail on your website? Use NDAs in meetings?

Advice and experiences much appreciated!

  • PortolaDude@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I filed multiple patents for my startup and we never used them. They took a lot of my engineering team’s time and were expensive to write, file, revise, and maintain. They never generated a penny in revenue.

    I’ve only seen large companies defend and monetize patents, so if being acquired by an IP-focused company is in your exit strategy, they are worth considering, but I would be judicious with your time and money.

  • stupsnon@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Is it really patentable and novel? Is it some secret that it would take other companies 10 years to figure out? Do you want to hire lawyers to look at competition and beat them with a bat when you find they are violating your patent? To you have a competitor that is litigious and throws their weight around using patents?

    If the answers to these are yes, patents can be nice to have. Otherwise just make yourself financially successful. Patents aren’t usually the key

  • appleswag96@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Thing a lot of people don’t know is that if you product is strictly software its highly unlikely thats its even patentable.

  • MrB4rn@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I would consult with an IP attorney rather than Reddit. I did and I’m very glad I took the time.

  • messerb5467@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    With customers and investors, you can be open about what it does, but not how it does it. As a software engineer, I’ll only ask about internals insofar around proper due diligence to ensure everything is copacetic.

    One example of this is I met a guy who automated cold calling. I ensured they didn’t use LinkedIn because of the platform’s stringent requirements and poked around how I would work with it questions, but I don’t need to know about their custom AI for instance. Definitely would have been cool to know as a nerd, but I don’t have a need or right to know