How to register a patent and protect your ideas: What we learned in our last episode with Jordi Riera
In the world of innovation, having a great idea is not everything. Protecting it can be the difference between success and failure. In our latest podcast episode we explore one of the most strategic (and often misunderstood) topics for entrepreneurs, engineers and technology creators: How to file a patent and shield your development from the competition.
Intellectual property expert Jordi Riera joined us to unravel the process, the myths and the real tools that exist to protect your inventions from the earliest stage to commercialisation. If you’ve ever wondered how to protect a product or device, this episode is for you.
What does it mean to register a patent?
Registering a patent is not simply filling in a form. According to Riera, a patent is a legal tool that allows you to protect a specific technical solution, as long as it is new, inventive and susceptible of industrial application. But be careful: you cannot patent an idea, only the concrete development of that idea.
From confidentiality agreements to infringement studies and Freedom To Operate (FTO) reports, the episode looks at the step-by-step process and when it really pays to file a patent or opt for other mechanisms such as utility models, industrial designs or trade secrets.
When is the right time to file a patent?
One of the big learnings from the episode is to understand strategic timing. Many startups make the mistake of waiting too long or publishing technical details of their product before protecting it. Jordi reminds us that novelty is a key requirement, and that even your own publications can invalidate a future patent if you haven’t filed in time.
In addition, we talked about how to approach international markets: registering a patent in Spain does not automatically protect you in the US or China. The timing of deciding which countries to register in is as important as the product itself.
Essential tools to protect your innovation
During the conversation, we explored key tools that every innovator should know:
Background report: to find out if your invention has already been registered by someone else.
Infringement report: to analyze whether you are infringing existing patents.
FTO (Freedom To Operate): essential if you are close to launching a product in a specific country.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): vital for sharing ideas with partners or investors without losing rights.
How much does it cost to register a patent?
Costs vary according to territorial coverage and type of protection. A patent in Spain can cost between 3,000 and 4,000 euros, while a European patent or a PCT registration can reach 6,000 – 8,000 euros. To this must be added maintenance (annual fees) and possible international extensions. Although it may seem a high investment, the return can be incalculable if your product is successful in the market.
Real cases and common mistakes
One of the most interesting segments of the episode is when we look at real-life cases of companies that have:
They filed a patent too late.
They were sued for infringement without knowing it.
They used industrial designs to block competition on marketplaces such as Amazon or AliExpress.
We also learned why a utility model can be a quicker and cheaper alternative to a traditional patent, especially in early stages of development.
Protecting is part of creating
Registering a patent is not a legal formality: it is a business strategy. As Jordi Riera says, patents are not only used to attack the competition, but also to create barriers to entry and defend your market.
If you are in the development phase or launching a new physical product, don’t miss this episode. You’ll find out how to avoid costly mistakes and how to arm yourself with the tools you need to protect your innovation from day one.
Listen to the full episode on our YouTube channel and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future interviews with experts who are transforming the physical world from the inside.