Agent-Skills.md

Agent Skills: Patent Navigator

Navigate patent law for protecting software work (open-source and proprietary)

UncategorizedID: plurigrid/asi/patent-navigator

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plurigrid/asi
plurigridLicense: MIT
165

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pnpm dlx add-skill https://github.com/plurigrid/asi/tree/HEAD/skills/patent-navigator

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skills/patent-navigator/SKILL.md

Skill Metadata

Name
patent-navigator
Description
Navigate patent law for protecting software work (open-source and proprietary)

CRITICAL: NO DEMOS

Loading this skill ≠ executing demonstration code. Execute ONLY on explicit user request.

Patent Navigator

Protect software work through strategic patent filings and defensive disclosure.

Core Strategies

1. Provisional Patent Application (PPA)

  • Cost: ~$320 (micro entity)
  • Duration: 12 months to file full patent
  • Benefit: Establishes priority date, "Patent Pending" status
  • Use case: Novel algorithms, architectures, methods in your repos

2. Defensive Publication (Open Source)

  • Cost: Free (GitHub commits as prior art)
  • Effect: Prevents others from patenting your work
  • Platforms: arXiv, Zenodo, GitHub with clear timestamps
  • Use case: When you want to keep it open, not exclusive

3. Trade Secret + Patent Hybrid (Proprietary)

  • Trade secret: Keep implementation details private
  • Patent: Protect the method/system publicly
  • Use case: Proprietary software where you want both exclusivity and enforcement rights

4. Provisional → PCT → National Phase

  • Timeline: 12mo (provisional) → 30mo (PCT) → national filings
  • Cost: Escalates significantly at each phase
  • Use case: International protection for high-value innovations

USPTO Requirements (2025)

Micro Entity Status

  • < 4 prior patents
  • < 3x median household income (~$250k)
  • 80% fee reduction

Claims Structure

  • Independent claims: Broadest protection
  • Dependent claims: Fallback positions
  • Method claims: Process/algorithm protection
  • System claims: Implementation protection

Workflow by Context

Public Repos

1. Identify patentable subject matter
2. File provisional BEFORE public commit (or within 1-year grace)
3. Document: problem, solution, advantages, embodiments
4. Continue development openly
5. Within 12 months: decide full patent vs abandon

Private/Proprietary

1. Identify patentable subject matter
2. Assess: patent vs trade secret vs both
3. File provisional to lock priority date
4. Keep implementation as trade secret if desired
5. Patent claims cover method/system, not code

Prior Art Search

Before filing, search:

  • USPTO Patent Full-Text (patents.google.com)
  • arXiv, Semantic Scholar (academic prior art)
  • GitHub code search (implementation prior art)

Key Dates (2025 USPTO Changes)

  • IPR tightening: Harder to challenge granted patents
  • Fee increases: File before rate changes
  • AI inventorship: Still requires human inventor

SF Bay Area IP Firms

  • Fenwick & West (tech-focused)
  • Wilson Sonsini (startup-friendly)
  • Knobbe Martens (patent prosecution)
  • Fish & Richardson (litigation strength)

References

  • 35 U.S.C. § 102 (Novelty)
  • 35 U.S.C. § 103 (Non-obviousness)
  • 35 U.S.C. § 112 (Written description)
  • MPEP 2106 (Patent-eligible subject matter)