Blog
Protecting Content & Inventions
You can’t patent an idea, and other lessons from Arkansas
Last week, I was honored to give the keynote at the First Annual Patent Bootcamp for Women and Minorities in STEM at the University of Arkansas. This article outlines three lessons from the bootcamp that I share in this article.
Choosing a Business Structure
Starting a business requires making all kinds of decisions, and one of the most important is how you’re going to operate and do business. It requires asking all kinds of questions about concepts that are pretty foreign to folks new to the game. I had an amazing discussion with business law expert Carliss Chatman about all of this, and she dropped AAAALLLLLL of the jewels.
For Women: Finding a Patent Lawyer
It is exciting to invent something new and see it become an issued patent and a product on the marketplace. If you need to find a patent lawyer to help you do this, read this article first for some strategies on finding a good one without breaking the bank.
How to reset when you feel overwhelmed & out of control
As summer is making her exit, I've been trying to take full advantage of the last few weeks. I rarely watch television, but I binge-watched a few things recently. Two programs in particular got me thinking a lot about the importance of having a vision. One was Tiffany...
How to protect your invention in the U.S.
The patent process can be a very confusing one for new inventors. There are a lot of steps, deadlines, and conversations. This article aims to share the fundamental steps inventors need to prepare for if they go this route.
What kinds of inventions can be patented?
I love inventions and innovation. Like, LOVE love. So much so that I actually own a set of inventor trading cards (I know, nerd much?). One of the reasons I settled on intellectual property law after law school was because of my affinity for innovation, ideas and...
What does it mean to “use” a trademark?
As I've written about elsewhere, the three requirements for trademark protection are use, distinctiveness, and non-functionality. The requirement of "use" seems easy enough, because "use" is a common word that everybody knows and understands, right? These...
How to get a tax ID number for your business
Once your business is registered with the state and you’re a legit business owner, the next step is to get a Tax ID number. Ya’ll know the IRS wants their money! This article outlines when you should apply and where to go do it.
How to copyright your content
One step between creating content and monetizing content, for many creatives, is protecting that content. This article walks through how content creators can begin to identify where they have valuable copyrighted work.
Co-working spaces for women and people of color
Co-working spaces are shared office environments for folks who are otherwise typically working solo or in small groups. Finding the right fit for a co-working space can be important because of the day-to-day connections you can make.