What Should I Patent? A Decision Guide

Introducing What Should I Patent? A Decision Guide by Scale AI.

Deciding whether to patent an idea can feel overwhelming. General advice is plentiful, but applying it to your specific case is harder than it seems. The real question isn’t “Can I patent this?” – it’s “Should I?” Patents require significant time, energy, and budget, so they need to deliver real business value to justify your investment.

Too often, people assume their most advanced technology is the best candidate. In reality, patenting is a business decision — not a technical one — and success depends on choosing the right starting point, having a clear objective, and following a careful process.

This guide will not only help you evaluate a specific technology, but also teach you how to spot promising opportunities — a skill that grows in value over time.