Five mistakes that lose rights

1. Publishing or presenting before filing.
2. Assuming "it is just a student project, nobody will copy it."
3. Leaving out a contributor — or adding one who did not invent.
4. Sharing the full working with a company or "investor" without an NDA.
5. Missing the 12-month window to complete a provisional application or to file abroad.

Each one is avoidable with a dated record, an NDA and one conversation with your IP coordinator.