The only solution here is patent pruning: Abandon some patent filings at the right checkpoints. Related: Don't Let Patent Costs Crush Your Startup — Here's How to Protect Your IP Without Breaking the BankWhat are the signs that it's time to abandon a patent? To actively prune your patent portfolio, just looking for signs isn't enough. Build a patent pruning system: Health checks and ranking frameworkAn effective patent pruning system should take two things into consideration: 1) lifecycle stage and 2) multiple perspectives. Consider using patent management tools that provide full portfolio visibility and enable seamless collaboration as part of your patent pruning process.