How much time and budget should an early-stage startup allocate toward securing patent protection?

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Hi,

Thanks for the update. Both of those paths sound reasonabale, but be very careful that you don't allocate a disproportionate amount of time, money, or energy on the patent portfolio. Having IP doesn't build a unscalable wall around your business - it's only a speedbump that slows competitors down. The only way you really win is by winning in the marketplace by doing something better for customers. Please don't lose sight of that.

The Wright brothers - after the amazing success of their initial flights - spend the ensuing years locked in patent battles with people, rather than continuing to innovate. That's why their sole contribtion was first powered flight. As opposed to Ford, who took their innovation but executed relentlessly such that they are still around today.

Good luck,

M