Re:Ask HN: Startup founders, did you regret applying for a p...
by matt_the_bass on Friday January 25, 2019 @06:46AM
(#18997214)
Ianal. But I hold 4 patents with more pending.
My opinion of the value of patents for a small company is:
- marketing (many naive customers believe if you have a unique and valuable product, then it should be patented. If you have a patent, then your product must be good. If you don’t, does that mean the product isn’t valuable?)
- it can plant red herrings on what your doing to potential competitors.
- it can be valuable for moral for some employees.
- it potentially has value for a potential acquirer.
- it prevents big companies from patenting the disclosed material in the future and reducing the chances of boxing a small company out.
I do not believe it provides protection against a big company. They can litigate you to death even if you are in the right.
My opinion of the value of patents for a small company is:
- marketing (many naive customers believe if you have a unique and valuable product, then it should be patented. If you have a patent, then your product must be good. If you don’t, does that mean the product isn’t valuable?)
- it can plant red herrings on what your doing to potential competitors.
- it can be valuable for moral for some employees.
- it potentially has value for a potential acquirer.
- it prevents big companies from patenting the disclosed material in the future and reducing the chances of boxing a small company out.
I do not believe it provides protection against a big company. They can litigate you to death even if you are in the right.