Patent expert Michael Schuette reveals the art of writing strong, defensible patents, and the biggest red flags to avoid.
Michael Schuette is a seasoned IP strategist, engineer, and inventor with over 15 years of experience in product development, patent portfolio management, and IP litigation support. He has written more than 100 patents, helped companies generate $10M+ in value, and now leads innovation as Chief Scientist and Director of Patents at BooleanLabs, where he applies AI and machine learning to deep-tech challenges across semiconductors, computer science, and biotech.
In this episode, Michael sits down with David Breitenbach, CCO of PatentRenewal.com, to unpack the real-world mechanics of patents, from drafting and claim construction to patent mining and litigation strategy.
He explains:
◼️ Why most “star patents” in a portfolio turn out to be worthless
◼️ The small words that can make or break a claim (“and” vs “or”)
◼️ How to future-proof patents with a “sci-fi” mindset
◼️ Why proving infringement matters more than originality
◼️ The biggest red flags when working with patent attorneys
◼️ How to build patents that actually hold up in court
00:00 Intro
01:16 Short bio of Michael
05:17 Evaluation #1: Can you prove infringement?
07:16 Story time of proving infringement
08:50 Evaluation #2: Does it worth the effort?
10:13 Red flag #1: Drafting patent applications
11:55 Red flag #2-3: Indefiniteness and claim drafts
13:02 Pro tip: Smart descriptions
15.08 Horror story: Copied text
17:53 Horror story: Typewriter
21:02 The word “means”
23:12 Pro tip: How to get granted quickly
24:52 Writing with a sci-fi mindet
27:35 Story time: One of the easiest patent to write and enforce
29:33 Rapid fire questions
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About us
Talk IP to me brings fresh conversations to the world of intellectual property.
Each episode features innovators, IP experts, founders, and legal minds sharing real stories, lessons learned, and practical insights you can actually use. Our goal is simple: make IP feel human, practical, and accessible.