Patents are an important class of asset for any company. For a start-up company, its patent portfolio may be its most important asset. Despite their importance, patents and the surrounding law may not be well understood by researchers and management. Therefore, they risk making decisions or taking actions that could negatively impact their ability to pursue and obtain patent protection for their inventions. The best way for a company to avoid costly mistakes at a critical juncture is to become better informed about the patent process and work closely with a patent attorney at all stages of an invention.

Because of the significant changes wrought by the recent America Invents Act (AIA), it is more important than ever to take proactive, forward-looking measures to position innovations properly for the patent process. This article sets forth some fundamental principles regarding patents and the requirements for obtaining patents, describes the types of patents relevant to the ceramic and glass industry, and briefly discusses the significant changes in patent law from the AIA.