Patent and Invention Help Forum

Patent and Inventing Discussion => Patent Questions and Advice => Topic started by: nobleandtrue on November 29, 2018, 08:30:41 PM

Title: WHAT CONSTITUTES PUBLIC DISCLOSURE FOR A PATENT?
Post by: nobleandtrue on November 29, 2018, 08:30:41 PM

I am seeking venture capital for a business that is based on a new invention.  I do not want to file for a patent without first receiving enough funding to hire a top patent law firm.  How much can I disclose about the invention without jeopardizing international patent rights?  I was under the impression that I would have to reveal some technical information to jeopardize IP protection, but I have read various opinions on this and I am baffled.  As wild examples, if I say in an email that I have invented a car that runs without gas or a battery that self-recharges, would those statements jeopardize patentability?

Title: Re: WHAT CONSTITUTES PUBLIC DISCLOSURE FOR A PATENT?
Post by: Brad on November 30, 2018, 10:17:54 AM

In general to be a "public" disclosure the public must be able to view and access your information.  Presenting to investors in a private room or sending an email are not public so they are not public disclosures.

Putting something on your website or publishing a white paper on the idea would be a type of public disclosure.