As an example, we'll be mentioning the difficulties we've had with stewarding our patent application -- the Patent Office fees are reasonable (a couple hundred $$$) but the fact that a good lawyer is essentially required to write the claims (to the tune of several thousand dollars) is killer for a bootstrapping startup.
Additionally, though the Patent Office offers expedited patent issuance for qualifying clean/green tech, there are additional fees that must be paid for this service. Wouldn't a fee waiver or discount make sense to help spur innovation in these fields?
A lawyer isnt really required, but someone who is experienced is. I know a one engineer who does all his own patents. It just so happens that most of the people that are experienced are lawyers. Any process they have will be sufficiently complex such that you need help the first few times through it. But once you have done it a few times, then you can do it yourself.
Comments
As an example, we'll be mentioning the difficulties we've had with stewarding our patent application -- the Patent Office fees are reasonable (a couple hundred $$$) but the fact that a good lawyer is essentially required to write the claims (to the tune of several thousand dollars) is killer for a bootstrapping startup.
Additionally, though the Patent Office offers expedited patent issuance for qualifying clean/green tech, there are additional fees that must be paid for this service. Wouldn't a fee waiver or discount make sense to help spur innovation in these fields?
Links: Reducing Barriers Roundtables: http://www.sba.gov/content/startup-america-reducing-barriers... Startup America: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/startup-america
A lawyer isnt really required, but someone who is experienced is. I know a one engineer who does all his own patents. It just so happens that most of the people that are experienced are lawyers. Any process they have will be sufficiently complex such that you need help the first few times through it. But once you have done it a few times, then you can do it yourself.