Hardware Podcasts

229: Overview of Patenting for Hardware Startups

Product Startup · 7 Jun 2024 · 23m

What this episode covers

Tom Dunlap, managing partner of Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, explains the different types of intellectual property protection for hardware startups, including utility patents, design patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He details the strategic use of provisional patents as a 'bookmark' to secure priority dates before public disclosure or fundraising, and clarifies the critical role of patent claims in defining the scope of protection. Dunlap also warns about the limitations of NDAs when working with overseas manufacturers and outlines the legal requirements for raising capital from friends and family.

Most relevant to

founders before launch

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, McDonald's
Products
Coca-Cola, Bunch O Balloons
Also
Lafayette College, MIT, George Mason University, Josh Malone, DBLLawyers.com

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