The Legal Blog

Patents are so important to your success!

As an inventor, there’s nothing more thrilling than having a big corporation take interest in your idea. 

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for – validation that your hard work and creativity have paid off. 

But what happens when that relationship turns sour? 

What if the company decides to sever ties or even worse, continue using your invention without your permission? 

This is where patenting becomes essential.

In this newsletter, I’ll show you the importance of patenting and how it can protect you and your invention when someone uses it without your permission. 

I’ll also be diving into a real-life example of patent infringement between Meta and Voxer, and how patents played a crucial role in the outcome of their case.

WHY PATENT AN INVENTION?

Patenting is essentially claiming ownership of your invention by obtaining exclusive rights to make, use, or sell it. 

By doing so, you prevent others from using or profiting from your creation without your consent. 

While it may seem like a daunting process, especially for first-time inventors, patenting can save you time and money in the long run. 

The last thing you want is to spend years developing an invention only to have someone else profit from it without compensating you.

One of the biggest advantages of patenting is its ability to deter potential infringers. 

It also gives you legal recourse if someone infringes. 

META SETTLES WITH VOXER FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

Now let’s look at the case between Meta and Voxer. 

In the recent legal battle between social media giant Meta (formerly Facebook) and walkie-talkie app creator Voxer, the stakes were high and the outcome consequential. 

Voxer co-founder Tom Katis, a US Army veteran, developed patented technology aimed at addressing the communication challenges he experienced during combat. 

This technology enabled live voice and video transmissions, marking a significant leap forward in communication capabilities.

Voxer alleged that Meta infringed upon its patents, particularly related to video streaming and messaging infrastructure. 

The case culminated in a $175 million jury verdict of infringement against Meta.

Meta originally attempted to appeal the verdict and dismiss the hefty penalty, but this week announced that they had reached a settlement.

This case underscores the immense value of patents for your inventions.

As entrepreneurs and creators, this case reminds us of the significance of patenting our groundbreaking ideas and technologies. 

It highlights the potential impact of proactive patent protection and the imperative of defending one’s intellectual property rights against infringement.

WHAT IF?

But what if Voxer didn’t have those patents? 

The outcome could have been very different. 

Patents played a crucial role in proving ownership and securing Voxer’s compensation.

Want to talk about patenting your invention? Reach out to me at meetwithRandi.com or our contact page today.

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