Have you ever had a great business idea but hesitated to share it because you were afraid someone would steal it?

You're not alone.

For many entrepreneurs and inventors, the patent process feels overwhelming, expensive, and full of legal jargon. As a result, too many innovative ideas never make it to market—or worse, they're shared too soon without the proper protection.

In this episode of Unstuck Your Business, Edith Duran and Inez Nazario-Vega sit down with Joe Mischler, Co-Founder of Stratton Street Litigation Funding, to demystify patent protection and help entrepreneurs understand how to protect their ideas before launching them into the world.

Joe explains why filing early matters, the difference between provisional, utility, and design patents, and how today's AI tools can help with research—but not replace the expertise of a patent professional.

• Why the U.S. operates under a first-to-file patent system.

• How a provisional patent application can give you valuable time to refine your invention.

• The differences between utility patents and design patents.

• When it's safe to begin pitching your invention to manufacturers and investors.

• How AI tools like Claude, Grok, and Google Patents can assist your research.

• Why filing a patent yourself may cost more in the long run.

• How patents protect both physical and digital innovations.

• What patent litigation funders look for before investing in infringement cases.

Whether you're developing a product, designing a new process, or simply curious about intellectual property, this episode provides practical guidance to help you make informed decisions before investing significant time and money.