1. Should I patent this?

In other words, are you worried about?

• our idea “getting out” before you get a chance?
• the cost of developing this idea into a product, business, or licensing revenue?
• how much time and effort you will need to make this idea successful?
• your bigger, better-funded, more-nimble, or well-established competition copying your technology?
• obtaining a patent that can be easily “designed around” by making tiny, insignificant changes?
• paying lawyer fees for “patent wallpaper”

2. How can I compete with, or “design around,” a patent?

In other words, are you worried about…

• a competitive product marked “patent pending”?
• a competitive product marked with a patent number?
• a patent lawsuit, or cease and desist letter, by one competitor against another competitor in your industry for a product similar to yours?

3. Can I sue, or be sued, for violating a patent?

In other words, are you worried about…

• bringing a new product or service to market and accidentally violating a competitor’s patent?
• copying a competitor’s product or service?
• your competition’s introduction of a product or service that you believe is covered by your patent?
• a “cease and desist” letter that you received?
• a patent provided to you by a vendor, customer or competitor (sometimes in a very “friendly” way) that describes something you are doing?
• a lawsuit that alleges patent infringement?