The Most Expensive Patent We’ve Ever Seen—And Why It Was Useless
A few years ago, we met a first-time founder at a startup event. She showed us her patent certificate with pride. It had cost her $18,000 in legal and filing fees. “This,” she said, “is the cornerstone of my business.” So we asked a few questions: What market research did you do before filing? Do […]
What Content Creators & Startups Don’t Realize About Copyright Ownership
In today’s content-driven economy, your digital assets are often your most valuable IP. Videos, product photos, website copy, course material, branding designs—all of it represents time, money, and brand credibility. But here’s the catch: just because you paid for it doesn’t mean you own it. At Michael & Hope, we’ve worked with creators and businesses […]
Patent Search Mistakes That Can Cost You Everything
A strong patent begins with one simple but often underestimated step: a comprehensive patent search. And yet, many innovators skip this stage—or perform it poorly—only to face costly rejections, design delays, or legal disputes down the line. At Michael & Hope, we’ve seen these mistakes up close. This article breaks down the most common patent […]
What Makes Intellectual Property Investor-Ready
Startups often focus on getting their patent filed—but filing isn’t enough when your goal is to attract serious investors. In fact, we’ve seen strong ideas get passed over simply because the intellectual property didn’t show clear business alignment. At Michael & Hope, we’ve spent years working at the intersection of innovation and investment. One key […]
