What to Prepare Before Asking for IP Help
A practical checklist so you can get the most from intake support and conversations.
Why this matters
Coming prepared — even with rough notes — helps our team understand your situation faster and suggest more useful next steps.
Describe your idea clearly
Write a short plain-language summary: what it is, who it's for, and what problem it solves. You don't need technical jargon — clarity matters more than polish.
Note your timeline
Have you shared the idea publicly? Are you already selling? Have you filed anything before? Honest answers help with routing, even if you're not sure what counts.
Know what you're asking for
Are you looking for education, mentoring, affordable services, or needs-based support? It's okay to say "I'm not sure" — that's what the readiness checker and intake form are for.
Ready for a next step?
This guide is for general orientation. Submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Formal services, if available, are confirmed separately.
Important information
Submitting a form through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Community IP may provide education, intake support, mentoring, and, where appropriate, patent filing assistance through licensed patent practitioners. Any formal representation or patent services must be confirmed separately in writing. Please do not submit confidential or time-sensitive information unless and until Community IP confirms that it is appropriate to do so.
Community IP cannot guarantee funding, services, filing assistance, or any particular outcome.