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Trolls Don't Kill My Vibe | DIY Sex Toys Threatened

Trolls Don't Kill My Vibe | DIY Sex Toys Threatened

There's always a party pooper. In this case it's the patent trolls attacking basic innovation for digital sex toys. Our friends at Comingle (who we've been covering since their MVP days) are at the forefront of the battle. Comingle, founded by a few Georgia

Will Your Startup's Patent be Expensive Today & Worthless Tomorrow?

Will Your Startup's Patent be Expensive Today & Worthless Tomorrow?

The prevailing view of patent experts who advise innovators--be they individuals or companies--it that patent filings should occur as early as possible. This advice, which is even more prevalent now that the US has moved to a "first to file" system, exacerbates the significant problem of

Free Class | Getting To A Great Startup Exit Using IP And Intangible Assets

Free Class | Getting To A Great Startup Exit Using IP And Intangible Assets

Tomorrow General Assembly is offering a free class on Straight Talk about Licensing for Startups, taught by IP guru Jackie Hutter. Register When:Feb 4, 2015 6:30-8pm Where: 650 North Ave NE S-205 (4 doors down from Dancing Goats) Atlanta , GA 30308 More on the class: Many

Does My Startup Need a Patent?

Does My Startup Need a Patent?

"Does my startup need a patent?" As a leading IP advisor for startups in Atlanta, I am asked this question a lot, and my response always begins: “the only person who needs a patent is a patent attorney.” Indeed, if a patent attorney cannot convince clients like you

5 Rules for Avoiding Worthless Startup Patents

5 Rules for Avoiding Worthless Startup Patents

The vast majority of patents today are worthless for creating business value, but by following the 5 Rules for Avoiding Worthless Startup Patents in this post, entrepreneurs can improve their odds of generating patent rights that create value for them. 1. Know the Difference Between a Protecting Your Innovation and

Maximize Startup Valuation: Go Beyond "Usual IP Suspects"

Maximize Startup Valuation: Go Beyond "Usual IP Suspects"

Entrepreneurs seeking to maximize the startup valuation must go beyond the “usual IP suspects," that is, patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. I call these forms of IP the “usual suspects” because they are what entrepreneurs and their advisers invariably focus on when questions about protecting startup value arise.

Is Traction the "New IP" for Your Startup?

Is Traction the "New IP" for Your Startup?

“Traction is the new IP” is a common refrain from startup experts these days. As a result, many startup entrepreneurs are rejecting patents and other forms of IP protection to focus instead on generating customers. It is certainly comforting for busy entrepreneurs to have succinct slogans like “traction is the