Businesses typically rely on trademark or even copyright to protect their valuable branding assets. However, an effective branding strategy also employs the exclusivity of both design and utility patent protection whenever its available, effectively keeping potential competitors out of the marketplace, regardless of brand name. Illustrating this concept in greater detail are the case studies […]
Patent
Is There Gold in Your Old Intellectual Property?
Digging through your IP closet for gold… In past years, several times a month I’d have lunch with one of my CEOs, and each time we’d find ourselves digging into the intellectual property developed by the company over the years, just to refresh ourselves about what the intended use was back then and whether new developments […]
Are You Wasting Money Filing Patents?
I’ve been working with early stage companies and their intellectual property protection plans for years. But only recently did I read a clear document on the risks and rewards of patent strategy. Thanks to Russ Krajec, a patent attorney, for the quick improvement in my education, here are some important points to consider when thinking […]
How Do I Patent My Mobile App Idea?
So, you have come up with a great mobile app idea and you want to protect your idea with a patent. What do you need to know? First, you need to know that applying for a patent is a very detailed, often tedious process. However, you can make it easier by knowing some key things […]
Is a Software Patent Worth the Time and Effort?
After going through the process of getting a software patent with a well-known California law firm for my initial startup—and finally choosing to drop it after spending a ton of money but going nowhere—here’s my take on the question of whether a software patent is worth it. Although patents for things other than software are legitimate and […]
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights & Licensing: What’s the Difference?
Diving into the world of intellectual property can be overwhelming. Especially when it comes to protecting and monetizing your information. Before getting started, you may ask yourself these questions: Has this product been created before? How do I guard my ideas? If I put it out there, how do I prevent people from stealing my […]
Patent Litigation Can Kill the Small Guy
When you think of patents, you think of added value to the corporation in the form of protection of its intellectual property. In fact, many corporations spend millions developing surrounding patents to form what is known as a “patent thicket,” much like Brer Rabbit jumped into to protect himself against his detractors in the briar […]
Protecting Your Startup’s Intellectual Property
An oft-neglected part of running a startup involves the products unique to your brand. What can you do to make sure your intellectual property stays yours? When we think of Silicon Valley, we call to mind success stories like Microsoft and Facebook. We think of smart young entrepreneurs, business hopefuls looking to make their mark […]
There’s Gold in Repurposing Intellectual Property
Several times a month, I’d have lunch with one of my CEOs, and each time we’d find ourselves digging into the intellectual property developed by the company over the years, just to refresh ourselves about what the intended use was back then, and whether new developments or technologies might make these older ideas and patents […]
How to Avoid a Weak Brand in a Post-Patent World
Patents. They’re great things aren’t they? Have you given any thought to the day when that patent runs out? Maybe it seems so far away, that it simply isn’t on the radar.
