Nov 4, 2009

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What shouldn't I do before filing a patent application?

Before filing a patent application, you should not orally disclose the invention to others (and if you do, it should be to a limited number of people who are obligated to confidentiality). In addition, you should not publish (or even submit for publication) any disclosure of the invention. You also should not demonstrate the invention to others, publicly use it, offer it for sale or sell it, since all of these activities create prior art, which could prevent a patent from being issued.

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