Best Practices for Filing a Patent as a Minor

How Can a High School Student File a Patent Without Much Money?

Got a great idea but no clue how to patent it? Especially if you’re still in high school and short on cash? Don’t worry—you’re not the first to ask, and it’s a great question. Let’s break it...

Best Practices for Filing a Patent as a Minor Continue reading…

Should I Prototype or Patent First?

When’s the Best Time to File a Patent While Prototyping?

Hi, I’m JD Houvener, founder of Bold Patents and a patent attorney with over a decade of experience. I’ve helped inventors secure more than 500 patents and authored Bold Ideas: The Inventor’s Guide to Patents.

Today’s...

Should I Prototype or Patent First? Continue reading…

Avoid Patent Infringement Like a Pro

How to Avoid Patent Infringement

Understanding patent infringement comes down to the details. For utility patents, it’s all about the claims—the written sections that define what’s protected. On the design side, it’s the solid black lines in the drawings. These lines show the protected shape or design...

Avoid Patent Infringement Like a Pro Continue reading…

What if I Only Invent a Small Part of a Product?

Does my invention need to be completely my own to get a patent?

I’m JD Houvener, patent attorney and founder of Bold Patents Law Firm. Over the past decade, I’ve helped inventors secure more than 500 patents. I also wrote Bold Ideas: The Inventor’s Guide to Patents. If...

What if I Only Invent a Small Part of a Product? Continue reading…

Master Patent Filing Like A Pro

I recently submitted a provisional patent application and paid the $60 fee to file it with the USPTO. A couple of weeks later, I received a notice titled "Missing Parts of a Provisional Application," asking for an additional $300. It seems the initial $60 was just a surcharge for a late submission....

Master Patent Filing Like A Pro Continue reading…