Author Archives: mwillee

Previously in our Intellectual Property (IP) Best Practices series, we introduced step five to managing your IP: limiting access to sensitive information. Please check back every Monday for the next step in this series. For all those who have absolute faith in humanity, being cautious is not the same as being cynical. Swearing on one’s honorContinue reading “IP Best Practices: Well-Drafted Agreements, Step 6”

Last week’s Traklight on Forbes series highlighted four fantastic tips on a startup’s most valuable assets in Mary’s blog titled “Advisory Board Members Talk IP And Investing In Early-Stage Companies“. Check back every week for more content. Thanks for reading! Mary Juetten recently attended the second annual SXSW V2V conference, where she participated on a panel thatContinue reading “Forbes Update: Alternative Startup Funding From SXSW V2V”

Dr. Dre is the second richest rapper alive after the lucrative acquisition of Beats Electronics by Apple. Apple bought the company back in May, its first acquisition, for a whopping $3 billion. Beats entered the market in 2005 gaining popularity after being plugged into music videos by top hip hop artists. It is known forContinue reading “Bose v. Beats: Noise Cancellation Giants in Patent Infringement Suit”

This is a guest blog by Ian Monat, Owner of Monat Technologies. When the catalytic converter was stolen off his truck he made it his mission to “protect vehicles across the US and UK from catalytic converter theft with the best security solutions on the market”: The Catlock. One of my favorite 80’s comedies isContinue reading “Unzipping the Trade Dress”

Last week’s Traklight on Forbes series highlighted the Jobs Act and Crowdfunding: Will They Finally ‘#ReleaseTheRules’? Check back every Thursday for more content. Thanks for reading! After recently moderating a panel with five CEOs, Mary asked each of them what lesson they learned in the pursuit of their own business innovations, and what advice they might pass along toContinue reading “Forbes Update: 5 CEOs Talk Innovation And Commercialization”

While seeking funding from investors or being acquired, the first step most third parties conduct is due diligence. Diligence is basically an in-depth review of a business’ official and legal documents. In case of startups composed predominantly of intellectual property, diligence is conducted to assure that the intellectual property actually belongs to them, preventing futureContinue reading “IP Vault Best Practices: Manage and Store your Data”

Previously in our Intellectual Property (IP) Best Practices series, we introduced step nine to maximizing your IP: don’t infringe. Check back next Monday for a bonus tip, the last of this series. Don’t miss it! Finally, what all this blog series has been leading up to: Be prepared. Using a good strategy to protect intellectualContinue reading “IP Best Practices: Being Prepared and Organized Is Important, Step 10”

Every small business should have a basic understanding of the laws that apply to protecting intellectual property. It is the only way a company will be able to protect their unique creations and ideas from competitors. There are four major ways a small business can obtain legal protection for intellectual property (IP).

Previously on our Taking the Scary Out of Startup series, we discussed reviewed five tips to fundraising, because funding is hard!  Roadmap Sometimes I think that if we plotted out the path that we have taken so far, it would be scary to see how many times we went in circles or backwards. But thatContinue reading “Taking the Scary Out of Startup: Why Startups Succeed, Part 18”

When a company in the startup phase is contemplating protecting intellectual property (IP), there are several important steps to be taken. The first item on the list is realizing this is not a one-step process. Intellectual property is an idea, a theory, a plan of action, and a lot of other things. However, all ofContinue reading “Protecting Intellectual Property as a Startup”