IP STRATEGY BRIEF

When Inc. Magazine published its Summer 2025 feature on the Flippy tablet stand, the story highlighted more than one inventor’s fight against knockoffs. It revealed a truth every innovator eventually faces: getting a patent is only the beginning.

Our colleague Ted Wood, interviewed for the piece, shared a candid reminder: “Patents are a way of shielding a product with protective armor, so that owners can control how the product is made and sold.” But building that armor requires foresight and investment.

The real cost of protection
Most inventors budget only for filing. Yet as Ted explained, a well-prepared utility application typically begins around $8,000. From there, the USPTO almost always issues rejections that must be addressed through office actions. Each response costs time, legal arguments, and another ~$3,000.

By the time an application makes it through examination, the total investment often reaches $30,000 to $50,000.

Why this matters
That spend is not just paperwork. It is what separates a “thin” patent competitors can work around from a defensible one that supports licensing, investor confidence, and enforcement. Strong claims anticipate design-arounds, cover logical variations, and provide clearer leverage when infringement arises.

Armor, not a certificate
As Ted noted in Inc., patents are armor, not trophies. For consumer products like Flippy, where copycats can emerge within months, well-drafted claims and a strong prosecution record are often the only way an inventor can hold market ground.

Takeaways for founders
• Budget realistically: plan for the full $30k to $50k journey
• Draft with foresight: claims should anticipate competitor workarounds
• Think ahead: align patent scope with enforcement and business goals

At Wood IP, we combine veteran experience with AI native tools to help innovators file smarter, respond faster, and build portfolios that last.

You can read the full issue here: [PDF of the Inc. Magazine Summer 2025 issue]