Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12/28/2025

This Privacy Policy explains how AutoInvent, Inc. ("AutoInvent," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use our websites, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

By using the Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Services.

We are the organization responsible for handling your personal information in connection with the Services (sometimes called the "data controller" or similar under applicable law).

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in three main ways:

• Information you provide directly
• Information collected automatically
• Information from third parties

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

This may include:

• Account and contact information
  Name, email address, password, organization or law firm, role/title.
• Billing and payment information
  Payment method details (processed by our payment processor), billing address, and transaction history.
• Patent-related content and documents
  Ideas, descriptions, invention disclosures, patent specifications, claims, drawing descriptions, prior art notes, and any other text or files you upload or input into the Services ("User Content").
• Communications
  Messages you send to us (e.g., support requests, feedback, surveys) and any information you provide in those communications.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Services, we may automatically collect:

• Usage data
  Pages and features you access, AI tools you use (e.g., idea improvement, abandoned patent analysis), timestamps, clicks, and interactions.
• Device and technical data
  IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, approximate location (e.g., city/region), referring URLs.
• Cookies and similar technologies
  We use cookies, local storage, and similar tools to remember your preferences, keep you logged in, measure site performance, and understand how the Services are used.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but some features may not function properly if you disable them.

1.3 Information From Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Analytics providers (e.g., traffic, usage patterns)
• Payment processors (confirmation of payments, limited billing info)
• Third-party APIs and services (e.g., patent databases, search providers, AI model providers) in connection with your use of certain features

We do not buy marketing lists from data brokers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for purposes including:

2.1 Providing and Improving the Services

• Creating and managing your account
• Processing payments and subscriptions
• Generating AI-assisted content (e.g., patent drafts, improvements, summaries)
• Operating features such as abandoned patent exploration, idea checks, and collaboration workflows
• Maintaining and improving performance, reliability, and security

2.2 Personalization and Product Development

• Remembering your settings and preferences
• Tailoring content, suggestions, and feature recommendations
• Analyzing how users interact with the Services to improve UX and functionality

2.3 Security, Fraud Prevention, and Legal Compliance

• Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, or misuse of the Services
• Protecting the rights, property, and safety of AutoInvent, our users, or others
• Complying with legal obligations and responding to lawful requests

2.4 Communication

• Responding to your inquiries and support requests
• Sending important service updates (e.g., changes to terms, security notices)
• Sending optional product updates, tips, or marketing communications (you can opt out at any time)

2.5 Aggregated and Anonymized Analytics

• Creating statistics and insights that do not identify individual users
• Measuring adoption, feature performance, and overall product health

3. How We Use AI and Your User Content

AutoInvent provides AI-assisted tools to help with patent-related drafting and analysis. In doing so, we may:

• Use your User Content as input to AI models (which may be hosted by us or by third-party providers);
• Temporarily process and store prompts and outputs to return results to you;
• Use anonymized and aggregated patterns of usage to improve model prompts, safety filters, and system performance.

We do not claim inventorship or ownership of your underlying inventions or patent rights. As between you and AutoInvent, you (and/or your designated collaborators) remain responsible for determining proper human inventors and for any filings or legal decisions you make.

Where required or appropriate, we enter into agreements with AI and infrastructure providers to help protect your information.

Please do not include sensitive personal information (such as government ID numbers, precise geolocation, or health information) in free-text invention submissions. We do not intentionally collect or process sensitive personal information, and if we need to process sensitive personal information for a specific feature, we will provide additional notice and obtain any consent required by law.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we process your personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

• Performance of a contract – to provide the Services you requested and operate your account.
• Legitimate interests – to secure and improve the Services, prevent abuse, understand usage, and market to existing users (where allowed).
• Consent – for certain optional cookies, analytics, or marketing communications.
• Legal obligations – to comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

You may have rights to withdraw consent or object to processing based on legitimate interests (see Section 9).

5. How We Share Your Information

We may disclose personal information to third parties as described below. In connection with our optional patent lawyer outreach program, we may receive compensation from participating attorneys and law firms for lead access or referrals. Depending on your state of residence, this disclosure may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information under applicable privacy laws. You can opt out at any time as described in Section 9 (including via the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link where required).

5.1 Service Providers and Vendors

We may share information with third-party vendors and service providers that help us operate the Services, such as cloud hosting, data storage, analytics, email delivery, customer support, payment processing, and AI model providers. These parties process information on our behalf and under contractual obligations intended to protect it.

5.2 Professional Advisors

We may share information with professional advisors such as lawyers, accountants, auditors, and consultants as necessary to operate our business and comply with legal requirements.

5.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or part of our business, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5.4 Legal and Safety Purposes

When we believe in good faith that sharing is reasonably necessary to:

• Comply with a law, regulation, legal process, or government request;
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of AutoInvent, our users, or the public;
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues.

5.5 Optional Patent Lawyer Outreach

If you affirmatively opt in, we may share certain information with participating patent attorneys and law firms so they can contact you about potentially helping you pursue a non-provisional application or related patent services.

• Who receives it: participating independent attorneys and law firms (not employed by AutoInvent).
• What we share if you opt in: your name, email address, phone number (if provided), and a brief summary of your invention submission (for example, title, category, and a short description).
• What we do if you do not opt in: we do not share your contact information with attorneys. If we offer an attorney preview feature, it will be anonymized or de-identified.
• Purpose: to enable attorneys and law firms to evaluate whether to contact you and discuss potential legal services.
• Important: opting in does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any relationship with an attorney is between you and that attorney or law firm. Attorneys and law firms operate under their own terms and privacy practices.
• Compensation: AutoInvent may receive compensation from participating attorneys/law firms in connection with this outreach program.
• Opt out (California and other states): You may opt out of this disclosure at any time. See Section 9.11 for California-specific opt-out rights and methods.

5.6 With Your Consent

We may share information with other third parties when you explicitly authorize us to do so (for example, when you choose to collaborate with specific third parties through the Services).

5.7 Aggregated or De-Identified Information

We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you for analytics, product improvement, and reporting.

5.8 Paid Lead Access and Similar Disclosures (California and Other States)

When you choose to opt in to patent lawyer outreach, we may disclose your identifiers (such as name, email, and phone number if provided) and a brief invention summary to participating attorneys and law firms, and we may receive compensation in connection with that disclosure. Depending on your state of residence, this may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information. You can opt out at any time as described in Section 9.11 (including through the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link where required).

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for the periods described below, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (for example, tax, accounting, legal, or compliance obligations), or unless we need the data to resolve disputes or enforce agreements.

• Account identifiers (name, email, login credentials, firm/role): while your account is active and up to 24 months after account closure.
• User Content (invention submissions, drafts, uploads, outputs): while your account is active and up to 24 months after account closure, unless you delete it earlier (subject to legal exceptions).
• Transaction and billing records: up to 7 years (or longer if required by law).
• Support communications: up to 24 months after resolution.
• Security logs and device/usage data: up to 12 months.
• Aggregated or de-identified information: may be retained indefinitely.

You may request deletion as described in Section 9, and we will honor deletion requests subject to legal exceptions.

7. Data Security

We use commercially reasonable physical, technical, and organizational measures to help protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These measures may include:

• Encryption in transit and at rest (where appropriate);
• Access controls and authentication;
• Logging and monitoring of critical systems.

However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy

The Services are intended for adults and are not directed to children under 18.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under applicable age thresholds without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete it.

If you believe a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the details in the Contact Us section below.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights and choices regarding your personal information.

9.1 Account Information and Settings

You may be able to review, update, or correct certain account information through your account settings (if available) or by contacting us.

9.2 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us. Even if you opt out of marketing messages, we may still send you non-marketing messages related to the Services (for example, account, security, or transactional notices).

9.3 Cookies and Tracking Controls

You can usually configure your browser to reject cookies or notify you when cookies are used. Some features of the Services may not function properly if cookies are disabled. For more information, see Section 10 (Cookies and Tracking Technologies).

9.4 Withdrawing Consent (Including Patent Lawyer Opt-In)

Where we process personal information based on your consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time. For example, if you previously opted in to share your contact information and a brief invention summary with participating attorneys/law firms, you can withdraw that opt-in by contacting us or through your account settings (if available). Withdrawal applies going forward.

9.5 Privacy Rights Requests

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
• Correction: request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• Deletion: request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions;
• Portability: request a copy of certain information in a structured, machine-readable format;
• Restriction or objection: request that we restrict or stop certain processing; and
• Opt out: opt out of certain processing, such as targeted advertising or certain disclosures defined as a "sale" or "sharing" under applicable law (if applicable).

Where required by law, we honor universal opt-out mechanisms or browser-based opt-out signals for opting out of sale and targeted advertising.

To exercise your rights, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section with a clear description of your request. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

9.6 Authorized Agents

In certain jurisdictions, you may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf. We may require proof that the agent is authorized and may also require you to verify your identity directly with us.

9.7 Verification

To protect your privacy, we may take steps to verify your identity before fulfilling a request. The verification steps will depend on the nature of the request and the sensitivity of the information involved.

9.8 Appeals

If you are in a jurisdiction that provides an appeal right and we deny your request, you may be able to appeal our decision by replying to our denial message or by contacting us and stating that you are appealing the decision.

9.9 Notice of Financial Incentive

We may offer a price or service difference (for example, a discount) in connection with optional features. For example, we may offer a $5 discount if you opt in to share your contact information and a brief invention summary with participating attorneys/law firms.

• Material terms: If you opt in, we will disclose your identifiers (name, email, phone number if provided) and a brief invention summary to participating attorneys/law firms so they may contact you. You will receive the disclosed discount as presented at the time of opt in.
• How to opt in: Check the opt-in box at checkout or during the filing flow.
• How to withdraw: You can withdraw at any time through your account settings or by contacting us. Withdrawal applies going forward.
• Value of data: We estimate the value of this incentive based on the cost of providing the discount and the expected revenue from this program.

Participation is optional.

9.10 Complaints (EEA/UK and Other Regions)

If you are in the EEA/UK or a jurisdiction with a relevant supervisory authority, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection regulator.

9.11 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to:

• Know: request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collected about you.
• Delete: request deletion of personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Correct: request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Opt out of sale or sharing: opt out of our sale or sharing of personal information (as defined by California law).
• Non-discrimination: you will not be discriminated against for exercising your California privacy rights.

Opt out methods:

• Use the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link on our website or in-app settings.
• You may also submit an opt-out request by contacting us using the details in Section 14.

Global Privacy Control and opt-out preference signals:
Where required, we process opt-out preference signals (such as Global Privacy Control) as a request to opt out of sale or sharing for the browser or device that sends the signal.

Authorized agents:
California residents may use an authorized agent as described in Section 9.6.

If we receive an opt-out request, we will not sell or share your personal information unless you later choose to opt back in.

9.12 Nevada Residents

Nevada consumers may submit a verified request to opt out of the sale of covered information (as defined by Nevada law) by emailing info@autoinvent.com with the subject line "Nevada Opt-Out Request."

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in;
• Remember preferences and settings;
• Measure usage and performance;
• Help improve our Services and marketing.

You can usually configure your browser to reject cookies or to notify you when cookies are used. Some features of the Services may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising (targeted advertising based on your activity across unaffiliated sites).

We may also use third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics or similar services), which may use cookies or other identifiers to help us understand how visitors use the Services.

11. International Data Transfers

We are based in the United States and may process information in the U.S. and other countries. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.

Where required by law, we implement appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms) to protect your personal information when it is transferred internationally.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

The Services may contain links to third-party websites, services, or integrations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites or services you interact with.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top; and
• Post the revised policy on this page.

If we make material changes, we may also provide additional notice (for example, by email or through the Services). Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of any changes means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: