To patent or to publish?
The researchers’ perennial dilemma
Congratulations! After years of dedication and hard work, your invention is finally ready to see the light of day. You’re buzzing with excitement and eager to share your ground-breaking discovery with the world. But hold on a moment! Publishing your findings prematurely could harm your chances of securing a patent and potentially reaping the rewards of your innovation.
In the realm of academia, we know the mantra of “Publish or Perish” looms large, and researchers are driven by the urgency to be the first to unveil their discoveries.
But a ground-breaking idea is currency in the scientific community, both figuratively and literally. Without patent protection, your hard-earned invention is vulnerable to exploitation by others; securing a patent grants you exclusive rights to your invention, safeguarding it from unauthorised use and ensuring potential financial gains, so it’s vital for researchers to prioritise patenting before publicising their findings.
The patenting process can be long, complex and expensive, not ideal when you are itching to publish details of your new discovery. At Patently we understand this and have tried our best to help by simplifying the key information.
You can sign up for free and in just a few minutes and get a feel for how likely you might be to get patent protection by seeing what already exists.
Armed with this information you can make informed decisions about what to do next.
Here’s a helpful checklist:
- Seek Guidance: Consult with your institution’s technology transfer department and IP offices for strategic guidance on patent protection.
- Prioritise Patenting: Speak to a patent attorney and get them to file a patent application before sharing or publishing your research.
- Exercise Caution: Avoid divulging excessive details that could facilitate replication by third parties.
- Foster Confidentiality: Implement confidentiality agreements and NDAs when engaging in business discussions with potential partners or investors.
By adopting these proactive measures, you can navigate the intricate terrain of patents and publications with confidence and foresight.
Try Patently for free here….
At the other end of the spectrum, have you ever considered that patents are the richest repository of human knowledge on the planet? Every idea worth its salt has been recorded in a patent application at some point, so reviewing patents could be just the thing you need to help light the spark of inspiration for your next project.
Follow Patently for updates and an upcoming blog on how to use patent information as a springboard to your next big idea.
