Q&A for How to Patent an Idea

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When is it a good idea to patent something?

Jeremy Rutman, PhD
Patent Attorney
Dr. Jeremy Rutman is a Patent Attorney and the CEO and Founder of RutmanIP, a boutique intellectual property firm in Israel. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Rutman specializes in drafting patent applications in various fields such as physics, computer hardware and software, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, green energy, and software. He holds a BS degree in Physics from Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude, and an MS and Ph.D. in Physics from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Rutman has extensive experience turning start-up ideas into strategic assets and has published his work in many leading professional journals in the field.

Jeremy Rutman, PhD

Patent Attorney

Expert Answer

If you believe that your idea is worthwhile enough and that it has commercial value, and you want to go after that commercial value, then there would be a case for patenting it.

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Question

How are patents enforced?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

A lawyer will help make sure you can enforce your patent. Anybody can file for a patent, but in order for that patent to have value, it has to be enforceable. That's why it's useful to have a law firm help you file, because you need to be able to win a case against someone who's potentially violating your patent. Otherwise, the patent won't be worth much.

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Question

What is the difference between a provisional patent and a patent?

Jeremy Rutman, PhD
Patent Attorney
Dr. Jeremy Rutman is a Patent Attorney and the CEO and Founder of RutmanIP, a boutique intellectual property firm in Israel. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Rutman specializes in drafting patent applications in various fields such as physics, computer hardware and software, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, green energy, and software. He holds a BS degree in Physics from Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude, and an MS and Ph.D. in Physics from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Rutman has extensive experience turning start-up ideas into strategic assets and has published his work in many leading professional journals in the field.

Jeremy Rutman, PhD

Patent Attorney

Expert Answer

You can get a provisional patent while you work on your invention prior to filing for a regular patent. A provisional patent application reserves your priority of invention for 12 months.

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Question

What if my invention is already patented?

Jeremy Rutman, PhD
Patent Attorney
Dr. Jeremy Rutman is a Patent Attorney and the CEO and Founder of RutmanIP, a boutique intellectual property firm in Israel. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Rutman specializes in drafting patent applications in various fields such as physics, computer hardware and software, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, green energy, and software. He holds a BS degree in Physics from Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude, and an MS and Ph.D. in Physics from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Rutman has extensive experience turning start-up ideas into strategic assets and has published his work in many leading professional journals in the field.

Jeremy Rutman, PhD

Patent Attorney

Expert Answer

If someone already has a patent for your invention, it's best to stop the process to get a patent. There's really no point in continuing.

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