In this episode, Drue sits down with Lynn Malinoski, a patent attorney and IP strategist whose unique journey took her from pharmaceutical research at SmithKline to becoming global chief IP counsel at Synthes before the Johnson & Johnson acquisition. Lynn shares her unconventional path from initially planning medical school to discovering her passion for patent law, and how her chemistry background led her into the complex world of medical device intellectual property litigation and strategy.The conversation explores the often misunderstood world of patents, starting with one of the biggest myths Lynn encounters: that having a patent automatically gives you the right to practice your invention. She explains the critical distinction between patent rights and freedom to operate, using simple examples like the pencil-and-eraser analogy to illustrate how existing patents can block even patent holders from commercializing their own inventions. Lynn walks through the entire patent process for individual inventors and reveals the realistic costs and timelines involved.The discussion delves into practical strategies for surgeons and inventors, covering essential topics like when to conduct patent searches, how to approach companies with ideas while protecting intellectual property, and the critical importance of filing provisional patents before any public disclosure. Lynn shares cautionary tales from her experience and emphasizes the treacherous waters inventors must navigate when socializing ideas to strategic partners without proper NDAs and careful disclosure management.Get in touch with Lynn!Website: https://ipstrategiclegal.com/Email: lynnmalinoski@iplaw.business