Tag: Startups
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IP Theft by an “Angel” Investor
An angry “angel” investor commits federal crimes by stealing IP. How an investor stole intellectual property from a portfolio company. This is a true story. Sadly, predatory actions by so-called “angel” investors are more common…
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Beware of (some) Angel Group’s Due Diligence
Not all “due diligence” is created equal. There are hundreds of angel groups all across the country, and each one has a different flavor. Some are occasional “dinner clubs” fashioned after Shark Tank, where a…
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What Is Patent Infringement?
Patent infringement is when someone else uses your patented idea without permission. The strict, legal definition is when someone infringes or performs every limitation of at least one patent claim. This is found in 35…
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Financing patents for pre-angel or pre-seed startups
Good patents only come from a good business BlueIron provides financing for patents – but only when the patent makes good business sense. When we finance patents, we do extensive due diligence to make sure…
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IP Due Diligence Checklist
Due diligence is essential for any business deal, and IP due diligence[1] is shockingly left out of the equation for most angel investors and venture capital investors. Due diligence is hard work. Doing it well…
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How Much Does A Patent Cost?
Updated 23 July 2023 The average cost of a utility patent in the US is over $50,000. This is just the cost to file a utility patent application and the patent examination process. It does…
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How Patent Licensing Works
On a small scale, a patent owner might worry about creating patents that can be asserted against competitors. The plan is to stop a competitor from copying. These thoughts are often where a startup stops…
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How to Find a Realistic Patent Value
Updated 15 Aug 2025. The biggest factor to determine a patent’s value: revenue. A realistic patent valuation[1][2] can be determined using many of the same techniques used to value businesses. However, it all depends on…
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Only Gullible Angel Investors fall for Provisional Patents
Provisional patent[1] applications are the worst things for angel investors. What is a provisional patent application? A provisional patent application, sometimes called a “provisional” or “PPA,” is the single worst thing a startup can do…
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Provisional Patent Applications are Always Wrong for Your Business
Updated 22 Dec 2021 Provisional patent[1] applications are misunderstood by many inventors, investors, and even patent attorneys. There is a notion that somehow a provisional patent application is good for inventors and startup companies. Let…