What are the disadvantages of getting a patent, if any?

There are many advantages to patenting your inventions. You are granted a monopoly on your invention by the government in your jurisdiction for a known period of time.

You can license it to others and collect licensing fees and royalties.

You may also use it as a trading card with a competitor, e.g., licensing your patent to a competitor, and in return, obtaining licensing rights to a patent that is owned by the competitor. It is a very common practice used by large companies to avoid expensive infringement lawsuits.

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You can use it in a public relations campaign to position your company as an innovator.

However A patent is published for everybody to see and learn how you have implemented your invention. This is the only disadvantage that I see. Anybody can implement your invention, after its publication, without telling you about it. Proving infringement is a very expensive and time consuming process.

If you wish to keep your invention confidential for ever, don’t file a patent. Treat it as a trade secret by making sure to take adequate steps to always keep it confidential like Coca-Cola keeps it formula secret. The Secret Of Trade Secret Success