[drschwabe]

Good points

> Anyway, defending a patent requires some deep pockets, and if you don't defend them, they are just cost with no benefit.

unless you just need them for gov't grants that require them - in this case it's an investment into a pre-requisite and if the net capital from the grant is higher than the cost of the patent you got then hypothetically you are ahead; unless there are recurring/other expenses involved in 'maintaining' the patent that I'm not aware of.

[le-mark]

Can anyone comment on which government grants require a patent?

[neltnerb]

SBIR grants will see it as a positive if you have a potential monopoly. They want you to have a successful business and a valid exit strategy is to sell out the IP or license it.

Require is a strong word, it's just a strategy they recognize as valid.