Developers evaluating patents usually consider three paths: search databases yourself, use AI drafting tools, or jump straight to a patent attorney. Patent PreCheck sits between DIY search and counsel — optimized for human conception documentation when you build with AI IDEs.
At a glance
| Capability | Patent PreCheck | DIY search (Google Patents, etc.) | AI drafting tools | Attorney consult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input: raw source code | Core | No | Rare | If you bring it |
| §101–§103 pillar coaching | Interactive edits + live score preview | No | Claims/spec focus | Yes (billable hours) |
| Human inventorship documentation | Rubric + evidence uploads | No | Limited | Yes |
| Prior-art context in scoring | Yes (ingested corpus) | Manual keyword search | Varies | Professional search ($$) |
| Typical inventor cost | Free score; $69.95 review | Free–low | ~$50/mo+ | $8k–$17k+ to file |
| Legal advice | No — prep only | No | No | Yes |
When Patent PreCheck is the right first step
- You have working code (app, API, ML pipeline, infra) and want to know if it is worth attorney time.
- You used Cursor, Copilot, or Claude and need to document what you conceived vs. what the model generated.
- You want pillar-by-pillar fixes (Alice eligibility, novelty, enablement) before paying for formal drafting.
- You need a filing packet export to hand counsel — not a substitute for counsel.
When to skip us and go straight to counsel
- You already have a mature disclosure and need claims strategy, FTO, or litigation-grade opinions.
- Your invention is outside software (mechanical, biotech, chemical) — our coach is optimized for code.
- You need legal advice on assignorship, international filing, or enforcement.
Related guides
- How to patent software before spending $5K on an attorney
- Can my code be patented? — full builder guide
- Case study — we scored our own codebase
- Sample report