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The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of Software Patents

Startup Professionals Musings

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. The good news is that a patent can scare off or at least delay competitors, and as a “rule of thumb” patents can add up to $1M to your startup valuation for investors or M&A exits (merger and acquisition).

Patents 100
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Software Patents Have Become a Startup Nightmare

Startup Professionals Musings

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. This patent holding company has charged infringement and demanded royalties from every app developer for the iPhone and Android, for a feature most agree has been in apps for many years.

Patents 93
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Software Patents are Becoming a Tax on Innovation

Startup Professionals Musings

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. The bad news is that patent trolls can squeeze the lifeblood out of innocent and unsuspecting entrepreneurs, as exemplified by the current mess around Lodsys patent No.

Patents 91
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Technical Entrepreneurs Often Fail By Early Adopters

Startup Professionals Musings

Every technical entrepreneur is an early adopter of technology, so naturally they build things with people like themselves in mind. The good news is that early adopters are never reluctant to sign up as beta customers and will provide you early feedback on product quality. chasm early adopters entrepreneurs Geoffrey Moore startups'

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6 Keys To Aiming Your Product To Mainstream Customers

Startup Professionals Musings

Every technical entrepreneur is an early adopter of technology, so naturally they build things with people like themselves in mind. The good news is that early adopters are never reluctant to sign up as beta customers and will provide you early feedback on product quality. Psychologists call this the confirmation bias.

Customer 117
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Reflections on 2018: Kelly Perdew, Moonshots Capital

socalTECH

Editor's note: As we head into the new year, we've been featuring reflections on 2018 from notable investors, entrepreneurs, and others from Southern California's technology community. What was the biggest news for your firm in 2018? You'll be able to browse all of those contributions here.

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Stealth Mode Entrepreneurs Only Increase the Risk

Startup Professionals Musings

It also makes legal sense to never disclose the details of your patent application, before the product is ready to ship. Openness is part of the business culture of entrepreneurs and technology centers around the world. People talk to people, and even competitors freely exchange news on trends and discoveries.