Google Offers Leg up to Start-ups in Patent Assistance Program

Google is offering start-up companies two free patent families as part of its Patent Starter Program, which is intended to help small businesses develop.


Launched on July 23, the program is intended to help start-up companies navigate the “world of patents”, which Google describes as “confusing” and “cumbersome”.


The program is open to the first 50 eligible start-up companies that contact Google. Companies seeking to participate have to prove they have an annual income of between $500,000 and $20 million. Participating companies will also be able to search Google’s patent portfolio for patents that it may be willing to sell.