ou’ve spent a lot of money developing and building your new product. You got a utility patent around it. And it’s unique design stands out from the competition. Then a product appears with a similar look to yours. The value of your new invention takes a nose dive as you realize too late you failed to register a trade dress to further protect the unique look of your product.
How to Extend the Life of a Design Patent License
Design patents cover how something looks – its specific shape or configuration. Design patents are used in a variety of industries such as jewelry, clothing, furniture, beverages, shoes, computers, clothing, automakers and others. Some brands, such as Gucci, have been obtaining design patents for decades. Design patents are often at […]
How to Prepare for an Intellectual Property Valuation
Even if you are “commercializing” your IP by selling your product or services, you can be overlooking its value. Your IP can help establish creditworthiness and can qualify you to get bank financing to expand or launch a business. This strategy is used by both companies with well-known brands (i.e. […]
An IP With Style – How to License Fashion Designs
Fashion Designers are artists who often fail to see their designs as intellectual property, and miss some big licensing opportunities. Fashion design licensing is big business, generating over 16 billion dollars in retail sales in 2013. It’s a strategy used by large and small designers to reduce risks, launch new […]
Store Designs – A Valuable Retail IP
Retailing success is a confluence of real estate, operations and product. However many retail store owners (and building and home designers) often overlook one of their most valuable assets – intellectual property.