PATENTS
The Perplexing Ps of IP:
A Strategic Field Guide
The world of Intellectual Property is buried in "P" words that sound identical but mean the difference between an asset and a liability. We strip away the jargon to focus on the strategy.
1
Provisional
The "Stake in the Ground" It’s a fast, cost-effective way to secure your priority date while you fine-tune the tech. It’s the seed of your future patent.
2
Pending
The "Shield in Progress." Your application is in the system. You have signaled to the market that this territory is claimed, even if the "Archer" hasn't fired yet.
3
Patent
The "Granted Asset" The government-backed right to exclude others. This is the hardened structure of your "Forest of Protection."
4
Paris Convention
The "Global Timer" A 12-month window that allows you to take your local "seed" and plant it in foreign soil while keeping your original start date.
5
PCT
(Patent Cooperation Treaty)
The "International Roadmap." A unified procedure that buys you time—up to 30 months—to decide exactly which global markets are worth the investment.
6
Portfolio
The "High-Yield Forest." A single patent is a tree; a portfolio is a system.