Top 10 IP Mistakes Startups Make (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Public disclosure before filing — demos, papers, or pitch decks can destroy the novelty of an invention.
2. No trademark clearance — The cost of rebranding often far exceeds the cost of conducting a trademark clearance search.
3. Missing IP assignments — investors expect clean chain of title from founders and contractors.
4. One-size-fits-all protection — combine patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets strategically.
5. Ignoring international timelines — 12-month Paris Convention and PCT deadlines are strict.
6. Weak claim scope — overly narrow patents are hard to enforce; overly broad claims face rejection.
7. No watch services — monitor competitor filings and infringements.
8. Verbal-only licensing — document technology transfer and royalties.
9. Neglecting designs and GI — product appearance and regional products need tailored protection.
10. DIY filings without strategy — errors in classification, specification drafting, or claim drafting are costly to fix.

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