Patent Attorney and Founder
Learn how to build a strong patent portfolio, avoid costly mistakes, and protect your innovation with insights from inventor and entrepreneur Musical DNA.
How to Build a Strong Patent Portfolio: Lessons from an Inventor Who Earned 29 Patents
So, you’ve invented something unique. Maybe it’s software. Maybe it’s a product. Maybe it’s a technology that changes the way people interact with the world.
Now comes the hard question:
How do you actually protect it, and make sure your patents support your business instead of becoming expensive wall decorations?
Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of inventors, entrepreneurs, and startup founders. One thing I’ve learned is that the strongest patents don’t happen by accident. They come from thoughtful planning, experienced legal guidance, and a clear commercialization strategy.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with the founder of Musical DNA, an inventor whose journey has resulted in 29 issued national patents surrounding an entirely new way of visualizing music. His story is fascinating—not just because of the technology, but because of the valuable lessons every inventor can learn from his patent journey.
Whether you’re filing your very first patent or thinking about building an entire intellectual property portfolio, his experience offers practical insights you can apply to your own business.
In This Guide, We’ll Cover
- How one unexpected accident led to a groundbreaking invention
- Why provisional patent applications can be an excellent starting point
- What it really means to build a patent portfolio
- Why your first patent application often isn’t your last
- Common mistakes entrepreneurs make when investing in patents
- Why working with an experienced patent attorney matters
From Broken Hand to Breakthrough Innovation
Some inventions begin in a research laboratory.
Others begin in a garage.
Musical DNA began with something much less glamorous, a broken hand.
The inventor originally studied engineering before pursuing multiple degrees in music, eventually earning a master’s degree in piano performance. Business wasn’t part of the original plan.
In fact, he laughed about it during our conversation.
“Nowhere along the journey did I think I wanted to make money for the sake of making money or go into business.”
After breaking his hand while riding his bike, he found himself unable to practice piano normally. Instead of wasting recovery time, he started experimenting with ways to better understand musical structure.
He began drawing visual maps of music.
Those early sketches eventually evolved into what became Musical DNA, a mathematical visualization system that represents music using colorful geometric shapes. Years later, those drawings became the foundation of an extensive patent portfolio.
It’s a great reminder that many successful inventions don’t begin with a business plan.
They begin with curiosity.
Every Great Patent Starts with a Strong Foundation
One of the first decisions many inventors face is whether to file a patent application immediately or wait until everything is perfect.
In many situations, filing a provisional patent application can be a smart first step.
A provisional application establishes your priority date while giving you up to one year to prepare and file your formal utility patent application.
Think of it as reserving your place in line.
It doesn’t become an issued patent by itself, but it can provide valuable protection while you continue refining your invention, testing the market, or speaking with investors.
If you’re unfamiliar with provisional filings or utility patents, you may also find our guide on Utility Patents helpful:
👉 https://boldip.com/blog/utility-patent/
During our discussion, the inventor explained that his original provisional filing eventually became far more than a single patent.
One Big Idea Became Three Core Patents
Many inventors assume they’ll file one patent and be finished.
That’s rarely how sophisticated technologies evolve.
In Musical DNA’s case, the original application was intentionally broad. It covered multiple aspects of the underlying technology, including visualizing music through mathematical relationships and geometric representations.
As prosecution moved forward at the USPTO, the invention ultimately expanded into three separate core patents, creating the foundation for an even larger patent portfolio.
This illustrates an important concept many first-time inventors don’t realize.
Patent Portfolios Grow Over Time
A successful patent strategy often looks something like this:
- File an initial provisional application.
- Convert it into a utility patent application.
- Separate additional inventions into continuation or divisional applications when appropriate.
- Continue protecting future improvements.
- Build multiple layers of intellectual property around your core innovation.
Rather than thinking about “getting a patent,” it’s often better to think about building a portfolio of assets that protects both your present invention and future improvements.
That’s exactly how many successful technology companies approach intellectual property.
Why Software Patents Often Need Multiple Applications
Software innovations are rarely just one invention.
They’re usually collections of interconnected innovations.
For Musical DNA, the core visualization engine was only the beginning.
As development continued, additional innovations emerged around:
- Educational tools
- Interactive music visualization
- User interfaces
- Data structures
- Gaming applications
- Proprietary file formats
- Future software platforms
Each advancement created additional opportunities for patent protection.
This is one reason software companies often build extensive patent portfolios over time.
Each improvement may represent its own patentable invention.
If you’re developing software, SaaS platforms, AI tools, or mobile applications, creating a long-term patent strategy is usually much more valuable than focusing on a single filing.
Sometimes the First Office Action Is Good News
One part of our conversation that always surprises new inventors involved what happens after filing.
The inventor shared advice he received from his patent attorney that caught him completely off guard.
When his first patent application was filed, his attorney actually expected the USPTO examiner to reject it initially.
Why?
Because that’s often part of the normal patent examination process.
The first substantive response from the USPTO is called an Office Action. It’s the examiner’s opportunity to identify prior art, raise objections, or request clarification before determining whether the claims should be allowed.
Many inventors panic when they receive an Office Action.
They shouldn’t.
Patent prosecution is often a conversation, not a one-time event.
The inventor recalled his attorney explaining that if the application were immediately allowed without much discussion, it might actually indicate they hadn’t pursued broad enough protection.
That’s a valuable perspective.
Experienced patent attorneys frequently draft claims that intentionally seek meaningful protection while remaining prepared to negotiate with the examiner during prosecution.
If you’d like to learn more about the patent process and common terminology, our Patent Glossary is a helpful resource:
👉 https://boldip.com/blog/patent-glossary/
Trust the Process, and Trust Experienced Counsel
One of my favorite moments from our discussion wasn’t about technology at all.
It was about trust.
The inventor had worked with several experienced patent firms throughout his journey and emphasized how important it was to rely on professionals who understand the patent system.
As he put it:
“Trust the patent attorneys because they know the system and they know how this system works.”
That’s advice I couldn’t agree with more.
The patent system is intentionally detailed.
Every decision—from claim drafting to filing strategy to responding to Office Actions, can significantly affect the value of your intellectual property.
While it’s tempting to save money by doing everything yourself, mistakes made early in the process often become much more expensive later.
That’s why investing in a thoughtful patent strategy from the beginning can make all the difference.
Align Your Patents with Products People Will Actually Buy
One of the most honest moments in our conversation came when the inventor reflected on what he would have done differently.
He admitted that, looking back, he probably would have spent a little less money early on and focused even more on patents that directly supported products with real commercial potential.
That’s a lesson every entrepreneur should take seriously.
It’s easy to get excited about protecting every clever idea you have. But patents are an investment, and like any investment, they should support your broader business strategy.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Will customers actually pay for this product?
- Does this patent protect my core competitive advantage?
- Could this technology become a licensing opportunity?
- Will this invention still matter as my company grows?
The strongest patent portfolios aren’t necessarily the largest, they’re the ones that protect the innovations that generate revenue.
If you’re planning your filing strategy, our guide to Patent Costs can help you understand the investment involved:
👉 https://boldip.com/blog/patent-cost/
You can also review our transparent Patent Attorney Pricing here:
👉 https://boldip.com/patent-attorney-pricing/
Building Beyond Patents: A Complete Intellectual Property Strategy
One aspect of Musical DNA’s approach that I found especially interesting was how they weren’t relying solely on patents.
Instead, they were layering multiple forms of intellectual property together.
That’s exactly how many successful companies protect their innovations.
For example, Musical DNA combines:
| Intellectual Property | What It Protects |
|---|---|
| Utility Patents | The underlying technology and software innovations |
| Trademarks | The Musical DNA brand, logos, and product identity |
| Copyrights | Books, artwork, software code, and creative works |
| Trade Secrets | Proprietary processes and future developments |
Rather than viewing these protections separately, think of them as complementary tools.
Each one strengthens your overall business.
If you’re considering keeping certain aspects of your technology confidential instead of patenting them, learn more about Trade Secrets:
👉 https://boldip.com/blog/trade-secrets/
Why Continuing Innovation Matters
Another takeaway from our discussion was that innovation doesn’t stop after your first patent is granted.
In fact, that’s often when the real work begins.
Musical DNA continues developing new software features, educational tools, gaming applications, proprietary file formats, and visualization technologies. As those innovations emerge, new patent applications are filed to protect future developments.
This is what we often refer to as building a patent family or patent portfolio.
Each new improvement can create another opportunity for protection.
For technology startups especially, this approach can provide several benefits:
- Creates stronger barriers for competitors.
- Increases company valuation.
- Expands future licensing opportunities.
- Demonstrates continued innovation to investors.
- Protects product evolution over time.
Remember, your first patent doesn’t have to be your last.
Commercialization Is the Ultimate Goal
Patents are valuable.
But patents alone don’t build businesses.
Throughout our conversation, the inventor repeatedly returned to one theme: getting the product into the hands of real users.
His vision extends well beyond securing patents. He’s building interactive educational software, mobile applications, gaming experiences, and a broader community around Musical DNA, all designed to help people experience music in an entirely new way.
That’s an important distinction.
A patent is a business asset, not the finish line.
Your patent should support commercialization by helping you:
- Launch products.
- Attract investors.
- Secure partnerships.
- License your technology.
- Create long-term business value.
If licensing your invention is part of your strategy, you may also enjoy our guide to Patent Licensing:
👉 https://boldip.com/blog/patent-licensing/
Common Lessons Every Inventor Can Learn
After hearing this incredible journey, several key lessons stood out.
1. Great ideas often come from unexpected places.
A broken hand led to a completely new way of understanding music.
2. File early—but file strategically.
A provisional application can establish an early priority date while giving you time to refine your invention.
3. Don’t expect one patent to do everything.
Many successful companies build portfolios over years, not months.
4. Trust experienced patent counsel.
The patent process is rarely straightforward, and experienced attorneys understand how to navigate Office Actions, claim drafting, and long-term filing strategies.
5. Keep your business goals front and center.
Your patents should support products, customers, and revenue, not just ideas.
Final Thoughts
Every inventor’s journey is different.
Some begin with years of research. Others begin with a simple observation or an unexpected life event.
What separates successful innovators isn’t just creativity, it’s having a strategy for protecting, developing, and commercializing that creativity over time.
The story behind Musical DNA is a great reminder that building a valuable patent portfolio isn’t about collecting patents for the sake of it. It’s about creating intellectual property that supports your business, grows with your innovation, and positions you for long-term success.
So here’s a question to consider:
Is your current patent strategy protecting the business you have today—or the business you want to build tomorrow?
Ready to Protect Your Next Big Idea?
Whether you’re considering your first provisional application or expanding an existing patent portfolio, having the right strategy can make all the difference.
It is my hope that this article gives you the knowledge and clarity you need to Go Big and Go Bold℠!
If you have questions about protecting your invention, book a free discovery call today:
I’d love the opportunity to learn about your invention and help you develop an intellectual property strategy that aligns with your business goals.
Legal Note
Legal Note: This blog article does not constitute legal advice. Although the article was written by a licensed USPTO patent attorney there are many factors and complexities that come into patenting an idea. We recommend you consult a lawyer if you want legal advice for your particular situation. No attorney-client or confidential relationship exists by simply reading and applying the steps stated in this blog article.