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ARTICLE · 11 JANUARY 2017

Five Easy New Year's IP Resolutions For Start-Up Companies

Smart & Biggar
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If your company is still relatively new to patenting, here are some tips for smoother sailing.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Noel Courage
Noel Courage
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If your company is still relatively new to patenting, here are some tips for smoother sailing.

1. Tell your Patent Attorney Before the Rest of the World

Doh! So you had a great time New Year's Eve and told everyone about your invention in endless, animated detail. Well the start of the year is a great time to turn over a new leaf. Create awareness at your company about the need to protect confidentiality. Public disclosures before filing a patent application can prevent patenting in most countries. Review patenting issues and make a go/no go decision on patenting before there is any public disclosure. 

Even if the cat does get out of the bag unexpectedly, you may still be able to file in the U.S. and Canada at a minimum.   

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