[6stringmerc]

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts, I truly appreciate the individual contribution. My understanding of the patent system is still limited, but I definitely follow the logic of How and Why your venture went with Provisional. The goal of IP protection has, without question, been my #1 priority and testing of patience.

Also, I appreciate your commenting on Step 4, and can clarify: From a lot of articles / testimonials through HN and other places, I've seen a lot of caution regarding "Trying to do everything / be everything / resist giving up control" in a Start Up environment. I'd love for my venture to breed more ventures long-term. As in, if I could be successful once I'd like to use that success to cautiously expand my portfolio (get back to work inventing things) and participate in business management on a prudent level. I certainly don't want to project a flighty here-today-gone-tomorrow type of attitude, because I wouldn't want to invest in such an approach either. Thus, a big thank you for noting the expectation within the field regarding ongoing involvement.