Hardware Podcasts

207: 4 Parts of Intellectual Property for a Hardware Startup

Product Startup · 22 Dec 2023 · 19m

What this episode covers

Steven Weigler, Founding Attorney at EmergeCounsel, outlines the four pillars of intellectual property for hardware startups: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He explains how design and utility patents protect product functionality and aesthetics, while trademarks build brand identity and value, which is often easier to quantify than patents. Weigler emphasizes that copyrights protect code and packaging, and trade secrets safeguard proprietary formulas, all of which must be strategically woven together to maximize company valuation for an exit.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
EmergeCounsel, Apple, AT&T, Mako Design, Coca-Cola
Also
Berlin Convention, United States Patent and Trademark Office

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