Sheet 01
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Licensing
Exploring how rights might be shared with partners — requires professional review.
SmartProBonoIP
PHASE 1 · LEARNPREPARATION ONLY
Phase 1 — educational prep for inventors
Learn IP basics
Interactive preparation before you build your readiness packet or talk to an expert. Preparation only — not legal advice.
Phase 1 of your journey
Start here before you build your packet
SmartProBonoIP is designed as a journey: Learn → Prepare → Organize → Research → Review → Export → Connect. This module is Phase 1.
- Phase 1
Learn
Understand IP basics and common prep topics.
- Phase 2
Prepare
Answer guided intake questions with context.
- Phase 3
Organize
Generate your IP Readiness Packet.
- Phase 4+
Research & handoff
Similar-reference prep, review, and export.
These are different topics people may discuss with an expert. A patent often relates to how something works. A trademark may relate to names or brands. Copyright may relate to creative expression. Trade secrets may relate to information kept confidential. SmartProBonoIP does not tell you which applies to your idea.
Example: a reusable filter bottle might involve how it works (patent conversation), a product name (trademark conversation), and marketing photos (copyright conversation).
- •Different IP topics may apply to different parts of one idea.
- •You do not need to decide which applies before talking to an expert.
Connect — possible next resources
Starting points based on common inventor goals — not referrals or guarantees.
You may want to explore these resource categories with a partner or professional. SmartProBonoIP does not recommend a specific legal action or guarantee availability.
Location-aware routing is a future enhancement. v1.0 provides category guidance only.
Patent attorney
When you may need formal legal review of patent-related questions.
Preparation only — this is not a referral.
Patent agent
When you may need patent drafting or prosecution support from a registered agent.
Consider asking about scope and fees in your first conversation.
USPTO Patent Pro Bono
When income eligibility may fit and you need pro bono patent assistance.
Availability and eligibility vary by region.
PTRC (Patent and Trademark Resource Center)
When you want search help and general IP education at a library resource center.
PTRCs provide education — not legal advice.
University IP clinic
When you are connected to a law school or university clinic program.
Clinic capacity and scope vary.
Innovation hub or accelerator
When you need mentor routing, community programs, or founder support.
May help with preparation before expert review.
SCORE mentor
When you need business mentoring alongside IP preparation.
Business guidance — not legal advice.
SBDC
When you need local small-business planning and economic support resources.
May complement IP preparation.
Economic development organization
When you need regional innovation or workforce development connections.
Programs vary by location.
Future modules
Commercialization topics (future modules)
These topics are intentionally deferred from the v1.0 readiness workflow. They may become future Learn modules after expert handoff.
Sheet 02
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Manufacturing
Scaling production and supply chain — business planning, not legal advice here.
Sheet 03
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Investors
Fundraising conversations often follow IP and ownership clarity.
Sheet 04
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Maintenance fees
Ongoing costs after filing — discuss with a professional.
Sheet 05
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International filing
Country-by-country strategy — expert review required.
Sheet 06
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Technology transfer
University or lab commercialization paths — institution-specific.
Important
v1.0 scope
Complete for v1.0: future expansion documented. Not part of current packet builder workflow. Commercialization topics (licensing, manufacturing, investors, maintenance fees, international filing, technology transfer) are documented as future education modules — not part of the current readiness workflow.