When does our technology become publicly know and not patentable?

Hi Thomas

Usually you do not need to give away the details of the secret sauce in a VC pitch. In fact, usually they are not particularly interested in exactly how you do what you do, they are more interested in what the market pain is that you address and how you address it. Publically known means used, disclosed in public, published in a document, etc. In some countries, such as US, Australia and Japan, they have a grace period of ranging from 6 months (japan) to 12 months (US and AU) prior to your patent filing date, where you can still get patent protection in those places if you disclosed your invention prior to filing. However, even if within the grace period in those places, you won't get valid protection in places like Europe where no such grace period exists.