Going Global: Smart International Patent Strategies

If you’ve built a great product or developed a powerful idea and are thinking about taking it global, one critical question quickly arises: how do you protect your intellectual property internationally without burning through your cash?

 In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with experienced patent attorney Austin Bonderer to demystify international patents and explain how small and medium businesses can protect their ideas, expand globally, and stay competitive — without making costly mistakes.

With more than two decades of experience and over 700 issued patents, Austin breaks down complex patent concepts into clear, practical insights. Together, Paul and Austin explore why patents aren’t just for large corporations, how international patent systems actually work, and how business owners can take a strategic, staged approach to protecting their IP while preserving precious start-up capital.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why patents are essential for protecting your competitive edge — even as a small business
• When to start thinking about international patent protection (and why earlier is better)
• How the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) works and how it can buy you time and flexibility
• Common mistakes business owners make that can permanently destroy patent opportunities
• How patents can be used strategically to attract investors and support business growth
• Why controlling manufacturing locations can be just as important as protecting sales markets
• How to work effectively with a patent attorney without exhausting your legal budget

Paul and Austin also tackle misconceptions around disclosure, cost, timing, and global enforcement, offering real-world examples that help business owners make smarter, more confident decisions about their intellectual property.

 Whether you’re preparing to scale globally or simply want to safeguard the ideas you’ve worked so hard to build, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Austin Bonderer is a seasoned patent attorney with over two decades of experience. Austin's impressive portfolio boasts over 700 issued U.S. patents, underscoring his expertise and dedication to the field. Before his distinguished career as a patent attorney, he honed his skills as a U.S. Patent Examiner for the USPTO. Austin's professional journey has also taken him across the globe, enriching his perspective and broadening his knowledge. His extensive experience and international exposure make him a knowledgeable asset in the world of intellectual property. Notably, Austin also led the U.S. Nanotechnology prosecution for a Forbes World 100 company. 

Today, Austin is the principal at the Law Office of Austin Bonderer, PC, where he specializes in obtaining patents for his clients. His extensive experience and international exposure make him a valuable asset in the world of intellectual property.

www.bondererpatents.com/contact-us

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