Is the invention patentable?

Preliminary novelty search
Evaluate patentability under U.S. rules

Who is/are the inventor(s)?

Is the invention valuable?

Legal monopoly
Barrier to entry
Source of royalty income
Bargaining chip

Is patenting appropriate?

Long economic life?
Patent pending--FUD, creates asset
Publication, only if file outside U.S.
Secrecy--string of related applications
Cost of enforcement, inventors win 80%
Impact of Goverment license