Blog
Resources & Updates
Utility vs. Design Patent — What's the Difference? (2026)
Utility patents protect how an invention works; design patents protect how it looks. Compare term, cost, maintenance fees, and when to file both in 2026.
How to Patent an Idea in 2026 (You Can't — Here's What You Actually Patent)
You can't patent an idea — only a concrete implementation. The honest 2026 guide: enablement, prior-art search, provisional vs. non-provisional, and filing.
What Is Prior Art? (And How to Search It Before You File)
Prior art is any public evidence your invention already existed. Learn what counts, why it sinks applications, and how to search it free before you file.
Patent vs. Trademark vs. Copyright — Which Protects What?
Patent, trademark, or copyright — which one do you need? A plain-English guide to what each protects, how long it lasts, and how all three can stack on one product.
What Can (and Can't) Be Patented? A Plain-English Guide
A clear guide to what qualifies for a patent: the four §101 categories, the abstract-idea and natural-law exceptions, and the novelty, non-obviousness, and disclosure hurdles.
How Long Does a Patent Last? (Utility, Design & Maintenance)
A utility patent lasts 20 years from filing; a design patent 15 years from grant. Here's how maintenance fees, PTA, and PTE shift that timeline.
Do You Need a Patent Attorney? (Or Can You File It Yourself?)
You can legally file your own patent (pro se). Here's the honest case for DIY vs. hiring a patent attorney or agent, plus how to decide.
How to Do a Patent Search (Free, Step by Step)
Learn how to do a free patent search step by step using Google Patents and USPTO Patent Public Search. A beginner-friendly how-to with keywords, CPC codes, and tips.
Provisional vs. Non-Provisional Patent — Which to File First (2026)
A provisional patent application is cheaper and faster but never becomes a patent on its own. Here is exactly when to file each — and the 12-month deadline that ends inventions if you miss it.
How Much Does a Patent Cost in 2026? The Full Breakdown
A US patent costs far more than the USPTO filing fee. Here is the real 2026 breakdown — government fees, attorney fees, and the maintenance fees most inventors forget.
What Does "Patent Pending" Actually Mean?
"Patent pending" means an application is filed but not yet granted — it carries no power to sue, but it is not meaningless. Here is what it really signals, and why faking it is a federal offense.
Which Famous Patents Are Expiring Soon? (2026–2030)
A US utility patent expires 20 years after its filing date and enters the public domain. Notable patents — from Facebook's News Feed to Apple's slide-to-unlock — expiring 2026–2030.
Patents Expiring in 2026–2028 — What's About to Enter the Public Domain
When a blockbuster patent expires, the invention becomes free for anyone to use. Here are the most valuable patents expiring soon — and what you can build with them.
The 10 Most Valuable Patents Ever Granted — And What Made Them Worth Billions
From Lipitor ($125B) to the PageRank algorithm, these are the patents that built trillion-dollar industries. Here's what each one actually covered — and why it was so hard to invent around.
How to Patent Software in 2026 — What Actually Gets Granted
Software patents are harder to get after Alice v. CLS Bank, but they're far from dead. Here's exactly what the USPTO grants today — and how to frame your claims to survive examination.