It is possible to submit a patent for technology still in the research phase, as long as the invention is new, useful, and non-obvious. Patenting is appropriate for innovations under research, but if a company prefers to keep an invention secret, it should avoid patenting, as patents require public disclosure. Once technology is in the public domain, it cannot be patented. Additionally, selling an invention before filing a patent application can forfeit patent rights in the U.S. The discussion highlights that while patents protect inventions, trade secrets, like Coca-Cola's recipe or certain manufacturing techniques, can provide competitive advantages without public disclosure. The concept of non-obviousness is emphasized as a significant hurdle in the patenting process, especially for inventions that utilize existing technology in novel ways.
