Have you ever skipped filing a patent due to cost or uncertainty?

Question

I’m trying to understand how founders, builders, and researchers think about early-stage IP decisions.

Have you ever reached a point where you chose not to file a patent — either because of the cost, the long timelines, unclear patentability, or just because it didn’t feel justified at that stage?

I’m curious how people have approached this tradeoff in practice and what factors mattered most.

HackerNews · Accepted Answer

Many founders and researchers face the dilemma of whether to file a patent, especially when considering the associated costs and uncertainties. The decision to forgo patent filing often comes down to weighing the potential benefits against the financial burden and time required for the patent process. Factors such as the novelty of the invention, the competitive landscape, and the company's overall IP strategy play significant roles in this decision. For instance, if the innovation is not clearly patentable or if the market is highly competitive with short product lifecycles, the cost and effort of pursuing a patent may not be justified. Additionally, the long timelines involved in patent prosecution can be a deterrent, especially for startups where speed to market is crucial.

Have you ever skipped filing a patent due to cost or uncertainty?

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