When I asked Michele Mayberry, intellectual property attorney and partner with Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LLP for advice for high-tech entrepreneurs on intellectual property, she offered these valuable, thought-provoking points:
“If you are considering patenting an invention, keep the details confidential until you’ve filed a patent application or have sought the advice of a patent attorney. Public disclosure or sale of your product, even an offering for sale, may in some cases destroy your right to obtain a patent.”
She added, “There may be times, however, when you may need to discuss your patent ideas with others. Do so with caution and seek the advice of counsel regarding whether a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will provide adequate protection in your particular situation. If sufficient, condition yourself to use a non-confidential 'elevator pitch' to explain your invention to others.”
Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LLP offers legal services exclusively in the area of Intellectual Property law with an emphasis on U.S. patent and trademark law. Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LLP, is a corporate sponsor of business accelerator VT KnowledgeWorks.
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