For many startups, patents seem like a necessary but one-time expense. However, the reality is far more complicated. Filing a patent might appear straightforward, but the costs involved are anything but. From legal fees and government charges to international filings and ongoing maintenance costs, the true expense of a U.S. patent can easily exceed $50,000 over its lifetime.
This hefty price tag raises questions for founders: Is patenting worth it? I’ve seen firsthand how many entrepreneurs hesitate to move forward with patent filings, uncertain whether the return on investment justifies the expenditure. However, skipping patents altogether can present even more dire consequences for your business:
A competitor could beat you to the patent office, locking you out of your own market.
Investors may lose interest if they don’t see a clear intellectual property (IP) strategy.
A legal battle might emerge just as your business gains momentum, forcing you into costly litigation.
So, the question isn’t whether you should patent, but rather how you can do so without draining your resources.
Strategies for Smart Patent Filing on a Budget
The key to navigating the patent process effectively is knowing where to focus your budget. Fortunately, it’s easier than you think. Here are some proven strategies to help you patent without overspending.
1. Identify High-Value Innovations for Patent Protection
Startups often make two costly mistakes when it comes to patents: over-patenting or under-patenting. Both can harm your business.
Under-patenting happens when startups fail to document and protect innovations, allowing valuable ideas to slip through the cracks. Without a structured process like Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs), innovations may not be patented in time, especially when funds are limited.
Over-patenting involves filing patents for ideas that don’t significantly strengthen your market position. It’s akin to betting on every horse instead of choosing the one with the best odds of winning. Instead, focus on innovations that have the potential to generate revenue or block competitors.
To avoid these pitfalls, use a structured patentability assessment. This process, which involves input from R&D, legal teams, and business leaders, evaluates the patent’s business value, the likelihood of patenting success, and the associated costs. Only the most valuable ideas should move forward.
As a rule of thumb: If losing an idea wouldn’t hurt your business, don’t patent it.
2. Plan Your IP Budget Wisely
Filing a patent without a clear budget is risky and irresponsible. Many startups rush into patent applications, only to run out of funds midway through the process, leaving their filings incomplete or allowing issued patents to expire.
Patent costs accumulate in phases—drafting fees, prosecution costs, government fees, and maintenance costs after the patent is granted. The total cost can soar, especially when foreign patents are involved. If you only budget for the initial filing, you may be forced to abandon a patent midway as costs balloon.
To prevent this, set a comprehensive patent budget before you file. Ensure you account for all phases of the patenting process, from drafting through maintenance. It’s also crucial to discuss fixed-fee structures or end-to-end budgets with your attorney to avoid any surprise costs. Once the patent is in progress, use cost estimation tools to track your ongoing expenses.
A well-planned budget ensures that your patents work for you, not against you.
3. Use Smart Filing Strategies to Cut Costs
Cutting corners on patent filings can be tempting, but it often leads to rejections, poor strategy, or patents that are ineffective when needed most. Here are some smarter ways to save:
Provisional Patents: Start with a provisional patent. For as little as $140 in USPTO fees (with lower legal fees as well), a provisional patent locks in your filing date and gives you 12 months to refine your invention before committing to a full application.
Government Fee Discounts: If you qualify as a small or micro-entity, you can save 50-75% on USPTO fees. Many startups overlook this, leaving money on the table.
Foreign Filings: Avoid rushing into international filings unless you’re committed to those markets. Foreign patent costs can range from $5,000-$10,000 per country initially, with total costs reaching $25,000-$75,000. Start with U.S. filings, then use the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) system to delay foreign decisions for up to 30 months, giving you more time to assess demand.
Avoid Excessive Prosecution: Don’t waste money on tough examination areas. Use predictor tools to steer clear of technologies where patenting is challenging. You can also analyze examiner statistics and request interviews to improve your chances of success. If your application is unlikely to succeed, consider abandoning it early to avoid sinking more money into a lost cause.
4. Prune Low-Value Patents to Cut Unnecessary Fees
Many startups waste up to 20% of their patent budget on patents that no longer serve their business needs. If a patent is no longer protecting a key technology or providing a competitive edge, there’s no reason to keep paying for it.
Review your patent portfolio annually and study does this patent still align with my business strategy? If not, consider dropping it, selling it, or licensing it to recover costs. If your business has exited a market, stop paying for patents in that market.
5. Use Data, Not Guesswork
Smart patenting isn’t about making intuitive decisions—it’s about using data to guide your moves. The right tools can assess the likelihood of approval, predict overall patenting costs, and reveal cost-saving opportunities. This data-driven approach helps you determine which patents are worth pursuing and maintaining.
Successful innovation managers don’t file patents blindly; they track, analyze, and adjust based on data. If you want to win, adopt the same strategy.
USPTO
GM Files Patent Application for Turbocharged Engine Torque Response System
General Motors (GM) has filed a new patent application designed to significantly improve the torque response of turbocharged engines, a crucial enhancement for modern automotive performance and fuel efficiency. The patent, assigned the number US 2025/0052207 A1 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), was published today, offering insight into GM’s latest technological advancement in engine dynamics.
A Step Forward in Engine Efficiency
The application, which GM initially submitted on August 11th, 2023, details a system that aims to optimize the torque delivery in turbocharged engines. Turbocharging, while improving engine efficiency and power, can sometimes result in delayed torque response, often referred to as “turbo lag.” This delay can be frustrating for drivers, especially in performance vehicles or situations requiring quick acceleration.
GM’s innovation, as outlined in the patent, proposes a sophisticated system that addresses this issue by enhancing the throttle response and boosting the speed at which the engine delivers power after throttle inputs. The system focuses on controlling the turbocharger’s operation, adjusting variables like boost pressure and airflow to reduce lag, ultimately providing a smoother and more immediate torque response when drivers need it most.
Key Features of the GM System
The patent describes a dynamic control algorithm designed to adapt to varying driving conditions, from city commuting to high-performance driving. This system uses sensors and real-time data to make fine adjustments to turbocharger operations, ensuring optimal power delivery across a range of engine speeds and load conditions. By intelligently managing how and when the turbocharger delivers boost, the system can reduce the typical hesitation that occurs in traditional turbocharged engines, offering a more seamless and responsive driving experience.
Additionally, the patent suggests that the system could be integrated with various vehicle platforms, including those with hybrid or electric powertrains, further underlining GM’s commitment to improving efficiency across its entire portfolio of vehicles.
Inventors Behind the Innovation
The GM patent application lists several U.S.-based engineers as the inventors, including David Alexander Schmitt, Wesley Rieves Haney, John Garrity Singleton, and Robert Monchamp. These engineers have extensive experience in automotive technologies, and their expertise in turbocharging and engine dynamics has played a pivotal role in developing this innovative system.
Their collective efforts aim to push the boundaries of internal combustion engine performance, meeting consumer demand for both higher performance and improved fuel efficiency, especially in the era of stricter environmental regulations and competition from electric vehicles.
Implications for the Automotive Industry
This patent application is just one example of GM’s ongoing commitment to improving engine performance and efficiency. With a growing focus on hybrid and electric powertrains, GM’s innovations in traditional internal combustion engines may seem increasingly rare. However, turbocharged engines remain a crucial part of the company’s lineup, particularly in performance-oriented vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and certain high-end Cadillac models.
Improved turbocharged engine response could lead to better acceleration, enhanced driving dynamics, and reduced fuel consumption, helping GM remain competitive in the global automotive market. This development aligns with the company’s broader efforts to integrate advanced technologies across its vehicle offerings, including innovations in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and next-generation infotainment systems.
Next Steps and Industry Impact
Although GM has yet to officially announce when or in which models the system might debut, the publication of the patent suggests that the company is already moving forward with its research and development. If successful, the new turbocharging system could be integrated into future GM vehicles, particularly those aimed at delivering high-performance driving experiences.
For consumers, the adoption of this technology could result in vehicles that feel more responsive, offering quicker acceleration times and a more refined driving experience, without sacrificing fuel efficiency. It could also set a new benchmark for turbocharged engine performance, influencing competitors to adopt similar technologies in their own vehicles.
Conclusion
General Motors’ patent application for a system to improve turbocharged engine torque response marks an exciting development in automotive engineering. As the company continues to refine its internal combustion engine technology, it is clear that GM is committed to delivering vehicles that blend performance, efficiency, and innovation, all while meeting the demands of an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
A Step Forward in Engine Efficiency
The application, which GM initially submitted on August 11th, 2023, details a system that aims to optimize the torque delivery in turbocharged engines. Turbocharging, while improving engine efficiency and power, can sometimes result in delayed torque response, often referred to as “turbo lag.” This delay can be frustrating for drivers, especially in performance vehicles or situations requiring quick acceleration.
GM’s innovation, as outlined in the patent, proposes a sophisticated system that addresses this issue by enhancing the throttle response and boosting the speed at which the engine delivers power after throttle inputs. The system focuses on controlling the turbocharger’s operation, adjusting variables like boost pressure and airflow to reduce lag, ultimately providing a smoother and more immediate torque response when drivers need it most.
Key Features of the GM System
The patent describes a dynamic control algorithm designed to adapt to varying driving conditions, from city commuting to high-performance driving. This system uses sensors and real-time data to make fine adjustments to turbocharger operations, ensuring optimal power delivery across a range of engine speeds and load conditions. By intelligently managing how and when the turbocharger delivers boost, the system can reduce the typical hesitation that occurs in traditional turbocharged engines, offering a more seamless and responsive driving experience.
Additionally, the patent suggests that the system could be integrated with various vehicle platforms, including those with hybrid or electric powertrains, further underlining GM’s commitment to improving efficiency across its entire portfolio of vehicles.
Inventors Behind the Innovation
The GM patent application lists several U.S.-based engineers as the inventors, including David Alexander Schmitt, Wesley Rieves Haney, John Garrity Singleton, and Robert Monchamp. These engineers have extensive experience in automotive technologies, and their expertise in turbocharging and engine dynamics has played a pivotal role in developing this innovative system.
Their collective efforts aim to push the boundaries of internal combustion engine performance, meeting consumer demand for both higher performance and improved fuel efficiency, especially in the era of stricter environmental regulations and competition from electric vehicles.
Implications for the Automotive Industry
This patent application is just one example of GM’s ongoing commitment to improving engine performance and efficiency. With a growing focus on hybrid and electric powertrains, GM’s innovations in traditional internal combustion engines may seem increasingly rare. However, turbocharged engines remain a crucial part of the company’s lineup, particularly in performance-oriented vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and certain high-end Cadillac models.
Improved turbocharged engine response could lead to better acceleration, enhanced driving dynamics, and reduced fuel consumption, helping GM remain competitive in the global automotive market. This development aligns with the company’s broader efforts to integrate advanced technologies across its vehicle offerings, including innovations in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and next-generation infotainment systems.
Next Steps and Industry Impact
Although GM has yet to officially announce when or in which models the system might debut, the publication of the patent suggests that the company is already moving forward with its research and development. If successful, the new turbocharging system could be integrated into future GM vehicles, particularly those aimed at delivering high-performance driving experiences.
For consumers, the adoption of this technology could result in vehicles that feel more responsive, offering quicker acceleration times and a more refined driving experience, without sacrificing fuel efficiency. It could also set a new benchmark for turbocharged engine performance, influencing competitors to adopt similar technologies in their own vehicles.
Conclusion
General Motors’ patent application for a system to improve turbocharged engine torque response marks an exciting development in automotive engineering. As the company continues to refine its internal combustion engine technology, it is clear that GM is committed to delivering vehicles that blend performance, efficiency, and innovation, all while meeting the demands of an ever-evolving automotive landscape.