immut vs Patent Filing: A Practical Comparison
Patents have been the default IP protection for centuries. But for many types of innovation, blockchain timestamping delivers better protection at a fraction of the cost. Here's an honest comparison.
Key Takeaway
immut and patents serve different purposes. Patents grant exclusive rights — no one else can use your invention. immut provides evidence — proving when you created something. For IP that's hard to reverse-engineer (processes, algorithms, formulas), immut often provides better practical protection. For products competitors can copy by examining them, patents may be essential.
Side-by-Side
immut vs Patent Filing: Quick Comparison
| Factor | immut | Patent Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From £10 | £15,000-£50,000+ |
| Time to protect | Under 60 seconds | 2-5 years to grant |
| Disclosure required | None | Full public disclosure |
| Protection duration | Permanent evidence | 20 years max |
| Geographic scope | Global (one timestamp) | Per-country filing |
| Exclusive rights | No — evidence tool | Yes — can exclude others |
| Reverse engineering | No protection | Still protected |
| Licensing revenue | Trade secret licensing | Patent licensing |
| Attorney required | No | Yes |
| Best for | Processes, algorithms, formulas | Visible product inventions |
Detailed Analysis
Understanding Each Option
immut Blockchain Timestamping
immut creates permanent, court-admissible proof that your documents existed at a specific time. It records a cryptographic hash on the XRPL blockchain — your content stays private. This evidence supports trade secret claims, prior art defence, and IP ownership disputes.
Advantages
- 99.5% cheaper than patent filing
- Instant protection — under 60 seconds
- No disclosure — complete confidentiality
- No attorney needed
- Works for any type of IP
- No renewal fees ever
- Global coverage with a single timestamp
Limitations
- Does not grant exclusive rights
- Cannot prevent independent creation
- Not a registered IP right
- Less familiar to some traditional industries
Patent Filing
A patent grants exclusive rights to an invention for up to 20 years. You can prevent anyone from making, using, or selling the patented invention — even if they developed it independently. The trade-off is full public disclosure of how it works.
Advantages
- Exclusive rights — can stop anyone from using the invention
- Protects against independent development
- Strong licensing potential
- Valuable business asset for fundraising
- Well-established legal framework
Limitations
- Costs £15,000-£50,000+ to file
- Takes 2-5 years to grant
- Requires full public disclosure
- Annual renewal fees (£2,000-5,000/year)
- Per-country filing required
- Expires after 20 years
- Not all innovations are patentable
Decision Guide
When to Use Each
Choose immut When
- Your IP is a process, formula, or algorithm that's hard to reverse-engineer
- You can't afford patent costs
- Public disclosure would help competitors
- Your IP type isn't patentable (business methods, data, software)
- You need instant protection
- You want to protect many innovations affordably
Choose Patent Filing When
- Your invention is visible in the product
- Competitors could reverse-engineer it from the product
- You need to license the technology broadly
- Investors specifically require patents
- You need to block competitors in specific markets
- You have the budget and timeline for patent prosecution
Better Together
Using immut Alongside Patents
immut isn't just an alternative to patents — it can strengthen your patent strategy:
Timestamp innovations immediately, then decide whether to pursue patents — no pressure, no deadlines
For IP you patent: use timestamps to prove your development timeline and support your application
For IP you don't patent: timestamps provide trade secret evidence and prior art defence
Build a comprehensive innovation trail that covers both patented and unpatented IP
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can immut replace a patent?
For many types of IP, yes. If your innovation is a process, formula, or algorithm that competitors can't reverse-engineer from your product, immut's trade secret evidence may provide better practical protection than a patent — at 99.5% lower cost. For products competitors can examine and copy, patents may be necessary.
How much cheaper is immut than patent filing?
immut starts from £10 per timestamp. Patents cost £15,000-£50,000+ including attorney fees. You could timestamp hundreds of innovations for less than a single patent.
Is immut legally recognised?
Yes. Blockchain timestamps are accepted as evidence in UK, EU, US, and Chinese courts. immut uses the XRPL blockchain, providing independently verifiable, tamper-proof evidence of document existence.
Should I use immut before filing a patent?
Yes. Timestamping before filing provides additional evidence of your invention timeline. It also protects your IP in the 2-5 years while your patent application is pending.
Need Help Choosing the Right IP Protection?
Book a call with our team to discuss which approach is best for your specific situation.