Move Over Letterman: Top 10 Most Common IP Management Mistakes for New Companies

<b>1. TOO LATE TO FILE U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS.</b>Unfortunately for many good technology companies, it may be too late to file for patent protection. The current U.S. rule generally provides applicants with a one-year grace period during which a patent application must be filed after certain public or private disclosures of the invention. Such disclosures may arise, for example, from a mere 'offer for sale' of the technology, even if the product has not yet been built or prototyped. In comparison, the foreign rule, which applies to many industrialized jurisdictions, such as Japan and various European countries, does not give applicants the benefit of any grace period after a public disclosure has occurred. Thus, it is legally compelling for applicants to consider filing for patent protection as soon as possible after invention. Although in some situations there may be some special exception that allows for a late filing, it is not advisable for applicants to count on those exceptions.

14 minute read September 01, 2003 at 11:42 PM

By

Dennis Fernandez