The path · Stage 3 of 7

Stage 3: Cheapest prototype

Awaiting CA/CS check — do not rely on it yet. The legal, tax or patent lines on this page have not been checked by a CA, CS or patent agent.

The mistake

“A friend showed our product's inner design before we filed. The patent failed.”

What it cost: The patent failed.

Other mistakes at this stage

01Why it repeats

It happens once and can't be undone, so the rule must come before the mistake.

Pause: what would you have done?

Write it down before you read the procedure. Your answer stays in this browser.

Stage: 3
Exit test: That assumption passed or failed
Proof file: A one-page test note, written before the test: assumption, test, result

Answer the pause question above, then choose Show the procedure.

NDA
For anyone who must see the product's inner design before a provisional patent is filed.
Coming soonDetails
Internship form and IP-assignment agreement
Signed by every intern or freelancer before they build anything.
Coming soonDetails

Last verified: Awaiting check

No psychology in this one: it is a procedure problem, not a judgement problem.

Guidance, not advice

This is guidance, not advice. Confirm your own case with a CA, CS or patent agent.

Showing all tracks. Answer three questions to see only yours.

Stage	Physical product	Software	Services
3	Provisional patent filed before any public demo, video or post showing the inner design	IP-assignment and confidentiality agreements signed by everyone who builds	Scope-of-work template used for the first pilot

Write one Mistake Ledger line for this gate, pass or fail: what you expected and what happened.