Protect & Profit
Smart, practical IP guidance for founders, creators, and startups — patents, trademarks, copyrights, and AI-related law.
Ready to turn your ideas into assets?
Here you’ll find plain-English strategies and stories from an Oregon IP Attorney & Registered Patent Attorney. Whether you want to protect smarter, avoid rookie mistakes, or build a real moat, you’re in the right place.
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP) Oregon Patent Law Association (OPLA)
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP) Oregon Patent Law Association (OPLA)
AI hand drafting a provisional patent
How to Use ChatGPT to Draft a Provisional Patent (Read This First) NEW September 2025
A careful, step-by-step playbook for DIYers who insist on using AI to draft a provisional—plus the guardrails to minimize risk.
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Inventor weighing whether to patent an idea while reviewing sketches
How to Know if Your Idea is Worth Patenting NEW September 2025
Run the Two-Magnet Test, spot red flags, use a 6-factor scorecard, and decide when to patent, publish, or keep as a trade secret.
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Inventor drafting a provisional patent application
How to Draft Your Own Provisional Patent Application NEW September 2025
Yes, you can draft a strong provisional without a law degree. This step-by-step guide shows you how to define the core invention, cover every embodiment, write enabling specs, add teaching drawings, file in Patent Center, and avoid the common pitfalls.
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Founder camped at the front of a long line — metaphor for filing first
The Beauty of Filing Too Early (First-to-File Wins) September 2025
Waiting for “perfect” risks your priority. In a first-to-file system, an early provisional secures your date and gives you 12 months to test, refine, and fundraise under patent pending.
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How to File a Provisional Patent Application
How to File a Provisional Patent Application (Step-by-Step) September 2025
Filing a provisional doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn when to file, what to include, how to structure your disclosure, and the #1 mistake to avoid—explained in plain English, with a copy-ready checklist.
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Patent portfolio investor checklist
Build a Patent Portfolio Investors Can Dig Into August 2025
Most founders think patents are about protection. Investors think about momentum and moats. The sweet spot is a portfolio that clearly supports the business story: core tech protected, fast followers boxed out, and room to scale. One strong, relevant patent beats ten random filings every time.
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Two bikes locked: one with NDA, one with Patent
The #1 Mistake Startups Make With NDAs and Patents August 2025
If you think an NDA is safer than a patent, you’re playing checkers in a chess match. NDAs are just promises—patents give enforceable rights. Learn the real risk for startups.
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Provisional vs Utility Patent Fork
Provisional vs. Utility: The Patent Fork in the Road August 2025
Inventors often hit this crossroads: file a provisional or go straight to a utility patent? Both lead to “patent pending,” but they serve very different purposes.
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Provisional patent strategy
Provisionals: Illusion or Asset? August 2025
A provisional patent isn’t just a “cheap way to file early.” Done right, it’s a strategic tool. Done wrong, it’s an illusion of protection. Here’s how founders and advisors should approach it.
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Inventor reviewing checklist
Download: The Comprehensive Inventor’s Checklist (Free PDF) August 2025
Get your invention from idea to launch—step-by-step. Download my free checklist covering every stage, with practical advice on what, why, and how. No email required.
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Robot shaking hands with human under patent icon
The Real Danger of AI Developers Becoming Unwanted Co-Inventors August 2025
Could the developer of your AI tool end up as a co-owner of your invention? This post unpacks how future specialized AI may qualify for patent rights, and what inventors and startups must watch out for in the era of domain-specific artificial intelligence.
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Patent application timing
Is Your Product Too Early for a Patent? July 23, 2025
Filing too soon—or waiting too long—can be a costly mistake for inventors and startups. Learn how to get the timing right, avoid common pitfalls, and protect your innovation with proven strategies and real-world examples.
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Should Inventors Trust AI in the Invention Process? July 2025
Can inventors rely on AI to innovate smarter and faster? Explore the powerful benefits, potential risks, and how to effectively use AI without compromising your creative control.
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Patent Completeness Guide: How Finished Must Your Invention Be? July 2025
How finished does your invention need to be before you file a provisional or utility patent? This no-nonsense guide breaks down the “percentage of completeness” for each option, so you can stop second-guessing and start protecting your ideas.
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Offensive vs. Defensive Patents: Which Strategy is Right for You? July 2025
Some patents are swords. Others are shields. If you're a startup, solo inventor, or growing business, you need to know which to carry—and when.
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Patent Pending: What It Really Means (And What It Doesn’t) July 2025
“Patent pending” is the most misunderstood phrase in invention. Find out what it *really* means, what it protects, and the mistakes that can cost inventors thousands. Don’t make the #1 inventor mistake.
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How to Build a Patent Portfolio That Actually Attracts Investors July 7, 2025
Learn how to create a patent portfolio that makes investors lean in and say, “Tell me more.” Packed with practical tips, strategy, and zero legalese.
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Patent Strategy: The Unseen Advantage That Changes Everything July 1, 2025
Most people think a patent is the finish line. Here’s the blunt truth after nearly 20 years: a patent without strategy is just expensive paper. These are real-world lessons you won’t find in any manual.
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The Real Secret to Patent Success (It’s Not What You Think) June 27, 2025
Is there a secret to making real money from a patent? After 15 years working with inventors, Stewart shares the one trait he’s seen consistently predict success—and it’s not what you think. Patents don’t pay; action does.
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Do You Need a Prototype to File a Patent? June 26, 2025
Ever had a million-dollar idea but no working prototype? Here’s what the patent office actually cares about—and what it doesn’t. (Plus, the #1 mistake new inventors make!)
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Provisional vs. Utility Patents: What You Actually Need June 22, 2025
Should you file a provisional or jump straight to a utility patent? Here’s the blunt answer (and how to avoid wasting money or losing rights).
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