True or False: I need a patent to protect myself from getting sued

False. A patent won't protect you from getting sued; nor does it give you the right to sell your invention. So long as you are not infringing someone else's IP, you already have the right to sell your invention. A patent gives you the right to control who can make, use or sell your invention, which allows you to license your patent for royalties or sell it outright. To protect yourself from getting sued? Get a Freedom to Operate (FTO) search. If it comes back with in force patents that you might infringe, consider approaching the patent owner for permission, or change your product to avoid infringement. #patent #inventors #patentlaw #patentlawyer #infringement #intellectualproperty #startuplife