上海什么ould I be doing while the patent for my software is pending?

ByTim Berry

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A year ago I developed a software based idea and have recently patented it. Currently it's at the patent pending stage, but I don't know how to proceed from here. I've researched, but don't know where to go from here. I've hit a wall! Do you have any suggestions?
Sorry, but you shouldn't be waiting for your patent. Build your business. Protect your know-how as best you can, but the patent system is broken, and even when you have that patent you'll still have to protect your intellectual property with legal expenses. Patents don't offer that much protection anymore, not in the real world.

So what to do? Get good legal help, somebody who really knows the area and somebody you can trust, and have them help you build whatever walls are possible--whatever you can do to protect your know-how and all. But in the meantime, build a business.
Wavy Line
Tim Berry

Entrepreneur, Business Planner and Angel Investor

Tim Berry is the chairman of Eugene, Ore.-Palo Alto Software, which produces business-planning software. He foundedBplans.comand wroteThe Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan, published by Entrepreneur Press. Berry is also a co-founder ofHavePresence.com, a leader in a local angel-investment group and a judge of international business-plan competitions.

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