# 229: Overview of Patenting for Hardware Startups

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2024-06-07
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/podcast/229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [3:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups#t=225) Types of IP: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets
- [8:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups#t=537) Provisional Patents and Priority Dates
- [15:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups#t=929) Patent Claims: Broad vs. Narrow and Obviousness
- [19:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-06-07-229-overview-of-patenting-for-hardware-startups#t=1187) Manufacturing Risks and Fundraising Compliance

## Topics

- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (company)
- Lafayette College (other)
- McDonald's (company)
- Coca-Cola (product)
- MIT (other)
- George Mason University (other)
- Bunch O Balloons (product)
- Josh Malone (other)
- DBLLawyers.com (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)
- [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)
- [71: Dirty Your Mindscape](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-10-08-71-dirty-your-mindscape) (Embedded.fm)
- [Why Patents Are a Death Trap for Entrepreneurs!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-07-12-why-patents-are-a-death-trap-for-entrepreneurs) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [#046 - When not to start a startup - how to license your idea (Part 2), with Stephen Key of inventRight, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-01-17-046-when-not-to-start-a-startup-how-to-license-your-idea-part-2-with-stephen-key) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)

## Citing this page

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