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Ask HN: Insurance Against Patent Trolls

3 points by throwaway2016a ↗ HN
I'm working on a startup that has some Intellectual Property that as far as I know does not overlap with any patents. But I'm a bit worried that at some point a patent troll will come after us for one thing or another.

I'm bootstrapped so I don't have deep pockets.

Is there any form of insurance that can help protect my startup from getting swallowed up by trolls?

I want to emphasize again: I'm not, as far as I know, infringing any patents. I'm not looking to protect against intentional infringement (as I would never intentionally infringe).

4 comments

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chillycurve
Directors and Officers insurance would provide some measure of comfort. What you need is an insurance broker who can advise you on what coverages will protect you best.

Edit: Looks like Intellectual Property Insurance is exactly what you are looking for.

throwaway2016a
I just googled "Intellectual Property Insurance" and it does (at least at first glance) look like exactly what I need. I wear I did search before doing the "Ask HN" and didn't come across that.
PaulHoule
File a provisional patent application, it will be part of the public record and will stop somebody else from filing a patent. If you have never filed a patent before and qualify as a small business you can file a PPA
throwaway2016a
That's fair and we do plan on doing that... but to clarify, my fear is not losing patent litigation, it's going bankrupt just from the court fees even if I win.