proactive ip protection and exit strategy spear ip

IP and Thinking About Your Exit Strategy

12/8/17

Whether you’re a brand owner or a future brand owner, you start to do a gut check this time of year. The soon-to-be brand owner? She starts her engines and gears up to launch her business. The existing brand owner? He does a review; thinking through how the previous year went. What to both types of entrepreneurs have in common? They must be thinking about an exit strategy. (Spoiler alert: taking proactive steps to protect your IP now will add … Continue reading →

opening a food truck four crucial legal steps spear ip

Opening a Food Truck? 4 Crucial Legal Steps

11/16/17

Thinking about opening a food truck? Why not. The mobile food scene has been growing, drawing lines of hungry tourists and locals alike to many food truck windows. It’s a great way to test a restaurant concept prior to opening a brick-and-mortar location. Here are some legal steps to think through before opening your own food truck.

protect a t-shirt idea lifestyle brands spear ip

You Can’t Protect a T-shirt Idea (But You Can Start a Lifestyle Brand)

11/2/17

“I have a REALLY great t-shirt idea.” “I’ve got an idea for a funny t-shirt slogan.” Many an IP attorney has heard this phrase at least once. Just like protecting an idea can be difficult, it’s challenging to protect a t-shirt idea. But a lifestyle brand? Now you’re talking. But be proactive: know how to safeguard the protectable elements of a t-shirt or lifestyle brand.

sponsored content and posting the right way

Sponsored Content and Posting the Right Way

10/5/17

Ever watch an old television show and notice the not-so-subtle product placement that was so commonplace back then? “Gee, Mary, these dishes sure are clean. You must be using Palmolive soap again!” Fast forward 65 years and sponsored content is still alive, but the medium and pitchmen have changed. Influencers and celebrities use Instagram and other platforms to make big money. But times are a-changin’ again, thanks to crackdowns — er, gentle reminders — by the FTC.

Put A ® On It: Color Trademarks (and Cheerios)

9/21/17

Color trademarks are unique beasts. Either color is an essential part of your packaging, logo, or overall branding (looking at you, Lyft), or color is kind of a non-issue. (Think about the rainbow of Nike swooshes you’ve seen in your lifetime.) It’s possible to register or “trademark” a color, but, as General Mills just learned, it’s not easy. Below, a little more on color trademarks and the registration process.

People are Suing Amazon for Counterfeit Eclipse Glasses

People Are “Total-ly” Suing Amazon for Counterfeit Eclipse Glasses

9/1/17

Those of you in the Nashville, Tennessee area remember the total eclipse that occurred last week. For two blissful minutes (or eerie minutes, depending on your perspective), the sun disappeared, the birds stopped chirping while the cicadas started, and there was a sunset on every horizon. After a flurry of “eye-popping” prices for eclipse glasses, some unscrupulous vendors began peddling counterfeit glasses — glasses that would not protect your eyeballs from the wonders of science. … Continue reading →

spear ip year three

Year Three: What to Expect from Spear IP

8/28/17

The book has closed on Year Two. Year Two meant increased community involvement, a podcast appearance, and the release of two basic legal checklists. Here is a look at what to look forward to in Year Three.

spear ip legal checklist for modern business

Second Anniversary: Blog Round-Up

8/10/17

This month marks the second (!) anniversary of Spear IP’s opening. You might notice that Spear IP started as a general intellectual property law practice. In its second year, Spear IP pivoted to focus on the fashion, hospitality, blog and new media, and tech industries, along with creative (non-musical) professionals. Here is a look back at the lessons learned and content shared on the Spear IP Blog during Year Two.

Maria Spear Ollis on entrepreneurship

Real Talk on Entrepreneurship and Essential Skills

6/29/17

I’ve heard too many friends and colleagues talk about how “scary” or “impressive” it seems to start your own business. I don’t know about impressive, but entrepreneurship can certainly be scary. It’s also amazing, crazy, and incredibly fulfilling. This post deviates from the usual educational material you’ll find on the Spear IP Blog. It’s time for some real talk about entrepreneurship and the must-have skills for taking the leap (in my very humble and non-expert opinion).