In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Austin Bonderer, a seasoned patent attorney with over 25 years of experience and more than 700 issued U.S. patents to his name. From his early days as a U.S. Patent Examiner to leading nanotechnology prosecutions for a Forbes Global 100 company, Austin brings unmatched insight into the world of intellectual property and innovation.

He shares what working inside the USPTO taught him about the human side of patent law—why building relationships with examiners is just as important as crafting airtight technical arguments. Austin also explains how technology and smart software tools have revolutionized the patent process, keeping quality high even with massive caseloads.

For startups, he offers practical advice on avoiding common IP missteps—like premature disclosure and underestimating the power of NDAs and internal SOPs to protect company assets. Austin also tackles one of the field’s toughest challenges: how the 2014 Supreme Court’s Alice decision disrupted software and diagnostic patents, leaving innovators in legal limbo.

Finally, he dives into the complexities of AI-generated inventions, warning that using AI tools in the creative process may unintentionally trigger public disclosure risks under current law.

With decades of experience at the intersection of technology, law, and innovation, Austin Bonderer provides a masterclass in how to protect ideas in an era where the rules are still being written.

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