Technology startups are often so driven by the excitement of progressing an inventive idea, and so keen to take it to market that they don’t stop to do the necessary due diligence. There are still companies – both large and small – that are disclosing their inventions and ideas – perhaps when discussing collaboration or standards with other companies, or at exhibitions and conferences – before patent or design applications are filed – this “leakage” means that the company may never be in a position to control its IP rights. A chance word at the wrong time could lead to serious losses.

Credit: https://minutehack.com/guides/some-surprisingly-interesting-facts-about-intellectual-property