Startups often overlook the long-term costs associated with patents, which can exceed $50,000. Despite initial hesitance from founders, failing to protect intellectual property can lead to market exclusion and loss of investor interest. A balanced approach to patenting is essential—both under-patenting, which leaves innovations unprotected, and over-patenting, which wastes resources on ineffective patents, can harm startups. Focused budget strategies and structured patentability assessments can help manage these costs while safeguarding valuable innovations.
A single U.S. patent can exceed $50,000 over its lifetime due to legal fees, government fees, international filings, and annuities after issuance.
Under-patenting occurs when teams fail to document innovations, allowing valuable ideas to go unprotected; meanwhile, over-patenting involves unnecessary costs for patents that don't strengthen market position.
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