MAY 12, 2016

Intellectual Property (IP) can be one of the most valuable asset as a business owner. This is why understanding what it is, who owns it, and how you can protect it, is a crucial component to success.

In a special Gerber Discovery + Ice Miller speaker series collaboration, Susan Rector, Partner with Ice Miller, and Randall Gerber, Founder & Principal of Gerber LLC, partnered to talk all things IP.

Below are a few resources and reminders from the event to ensure your property stays just that – yours!

Cover Your Bases |Protecting your work expands far beyond your company name and logo. Be sure you consider an overall IP strategy to protect your company and its assets – from product packaging, to software, to the face of your mobile app!

Start Somewhere |Still finalizing your company name or new product? Filing an ‘intent to use’ federal trademark application can buy you time before fulling committing to register the property.

Ownership is King |Require assignments from employees and independent contractors to assure your business owns what it thinks it does!
Deadlines | All registered property has a length of rights; be sure you understand when you need to renew property.

Deadlines Part Deux |Seriously, there is a time limit! All patents must be filed within one year after public disclosure to be considered for protection. Enhanced statutory damages for copyright infringement are available if you register within three months after a work is created.

If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to ask the Gerber team or reach out to Susan Rector at Ice Miller.

 

 

Check out all the events covered in quarter two of 2016 in the Discovery recap VIDEO HERE.

And be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook page for all event photos and updates on our next event!