u/ConcreteKeys

I am in my initial stage of researching to see if I can patent my design. I am only concerned with one existing patent that was filed in 2020 ending in A1. It did not move to B2. It looks like a duplicate design was then filed a year later with a new number and also is just an A1. Is this a provisional? What does this mean exactly? Did they complete all the steps to secure a patent?

Can I get a patent attorney to compare the designs FIRST, or do I have to go through some unnecessary steps before we get to that research part?

Is this step always required? How do I know if *my* patent needs it? Are certain patents more at risk, such as tech or bio, but maybe others its not as much of a race to a claim?

I have 1k speakers I need to ship from CA to NY in two packages. How does insurance work if I print two labels on one order and one package gets damaged/lost? How shall I ship this order? Shall I split order into two sales? Thanks.

Which silks will get damaged and what does that damaged look like exactly? Should I use woolies? What happens if you have hard water which it seems like most people do.