Pernicious Patent Problems: 4 Simple Mistakes That Can Make Your Patent Almost Totally Worthless

Inventing something new and unique enough to get its own patent can be hard work, especially when your design also has to be useful and interesting enough to sell to potential investors. However, it can be surprisingly easy to render all of your efforts worthless with just a single mistake. If you'd rather not see your work go down the drain, here are common ways inventors rob their patents of value.

Not Paying Maintenance Fees

At various times throughout a patent's life, maintenance fees will be due to keep it valid. If you fail to pay off these fees at the right times, you'll be given a grace period in which your patent can be reinstated by paying the balance and filling out some paperwork. Once this period passes, though, the patent will be abandoned, rendering it worthless. If you forget your fees for too long, you'll have to file all over again, which means other people have a chance of stealing your idea if you aren't careful!

Being Blocked By Other Patents

Sometimes even if you have a patent for a process or design, you can't actually put it into practice due to conflicting patents. For example, if you patented the process of boiling water but all of the potential equipment you might use to do so was already patented, your process would be worthless due to its impracticality. On the flip side, if you design the perfect kettle but there's already a patent on boiling water the way your kettle does, your design will be just as difficult for buyers to actually use. 

Registering In Only One Country

If you want investors or potential patent buyers to take your big idea seriously, you need to demonstrate that you take it seriously too. Registering your patent in only the US shows that you have little faith in your invention to sell on a global scale. Instead, consider applying for patents in multiple countries where you have reason to believe your product will be popular. This will increase the value of your collective patents and give buyers a stronger potential market for your invention.

Publishing Information Too Early

While it might be tempting to seek early investors or crowdfunding before you apply for your patent, be mindful of how quickly you register once information about your design is published. According to the USPTO guidelines, you have only 1 year from the time information is published to apply for a patent. After that time, you'll no longer be able to patent the design.

Inventing something new is difficult enough already without accidentally ruining your patent before it can be sold. If you're worried about keeping your patent's value safe, it may be a wise investment to consult a patent lawyer. That way you can know for sure that you're doing everything possible to get your invention into the hands of buyers safely. Call your local patent attorney, such as Lingbeck Law Office, to learn more.

Share