# 207: 4 Parts of Intellectual Property for a Hardware Startup

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2023-12-22
- Length: 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=0) Introduction: Steven Weigler and EmergeCounsel
- [1:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=113) Steven Weigler's Background: From Prosecutor to IP Attorney
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=213) The Four Pillars of Intellectual Property
- [3:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=238) Patents: Design vs. Utility and Timing Strategies
- [8:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=510) Trademarks: Building Brand Identity and Value
- [14:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-12-22-207-4-parts-of-intellectual-property-for-a-hardware-startup#t=882) Copyrights and Trade Secrets: Protecting Code and Formulas

## Topics

- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- EmergeCounsel (company)
- Apple (company)
- AT&T (company)
- Mako Design (company)
- Coca-Cola (company)
- Berlin Convention (other)
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2 E7: Intellectual Property Strategy for Hardware Startups with Troy Grabow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-02-20-s2-e7-intellectual-property-strategy-for-hardware-startups-with-troy-grabow) (The Builder Circle)
- [76: Tom’s Future Corner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-01-12-76-toms-future-corner) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [289: Stamping HORSE on Zebras](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-05-30-289-stamping-horse-on-zebras) (Embedded.fm)
- [S1E06 First to file, secrecy, & fast-tracking patents | Tom Galvani](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-13-s1e06-first-to-file-secrecy-fast-tracking-patents-tom-galvani) (Being an Engineer)
- [An Interview with Joe Long](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-17-an-interview-with-joe-long) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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