Capture what you learned and update your packet
After your expert meeting
Use this page after a conversation with a patent professional, clinic, mentor, or partner. Preparation only — not legal advice.
After expert review
Common next-step scenarios
Expert requested more documentation
Update your packet timeline, materials checklist, and ownership notes. Re-export PDF when ready.
Need prototype or drawings
Gather photos, sketches, or test notes and add them to your materials section before follow-up.
Need professional patentability search
Save similar-reference notes from your workspace to discuss with an expert — not a DIY legal conclusion.
Need trademark discussion
Note brand names, logos, and public use history in your packet before the next conversation.
Need provisional or filing discussion
Write down what the expert said they need to review first. SmartProBonoIP does not recommend filing strategies.
Need ownership or inventorship clarification
Update contributor and agreement notes in your packet. Consider professional review of contracts.
Need funding or commercialization support
See future commercialization modules in Learn. Focus on organized packet handoff first.
Meeting notes template
Write down what happened while it is fresh
- Who did you meet with and on what date?
- What did they say they needed to review next?
- What documents did they ask you to gather?
- What questions came up that you could not answer yet?
- What follow-up timeline did they suggest, if any?
- What did you decide to do next (update packet, gather materials, schedule follow-up)?
Gather next
Documents and materials to collect
- •Updated sketches, photos, or prototype notes
- •Signed or draft agreements with contributors
- •Similar references they asked you to compare
- •Timeline corrections or new milestone dates
- •Written answers to questions raised in the meeting
Follow-up questions
Questions you may want to ask next time
- •What information do you still need from me?
- •Should I gather additional similar references before our next conversation?
- •Are there materials missing from my timeline or ownership notes?
- •What would make the next review more useful for both of us?
Update your packet
When to refresh your IP Readiness Packet
- •Edit your IP Readiness Packet with new timeline dates
- •Add saved references and gap-map notes from your research
- •Refresh expert questions based on what you learned
- •Re-download PDF or attorney export after updates
What not to do
Without professional advice
- •Publicly disclosing new technical details before discussing timing with your expert
- •Assuming a casual conversation created legal representation
- •Sharing recovery links or private packet tokens in public channels
- •Treating readiness scores or CPC suggestions as filing instructions
What to bring to your expert conversation
Keep this checklist for your next conversation
- •IP Readiness Packet PDF
- •Sketches, photos, or prototype notes
- •Development timeline
- •Contributor and ownership notes
- •Similar reference notes and gap map
- •Questions you prepared in advance
Preparation only
This page helps you organize follow-up. It does not replace advice from your expert.