Why a Start-Up Company REALLY Needs Intellectual Property Advice From the Beginning

The biggest surprise of being an attorney (I passed the bar, so I am an attorney now!!), which it shouldn't have been, is that people do not think of so many issues when it comes to their own businesses. My example is going to come from the inventor's perspective.

A person, scientist or engineer, develops a great idea, truly something revolutionary. They find the money, either from a private investor, a bank (HA!!), or family and friends. They put together a business, rent space, hire help, file taxes. And along the way they do not set up a way to actually protect their intellectual property. The issue is, they do not need to immediately file for patent protection. But they do need to figure out a way to keep things secret. And for academics they really need to NOT PUBLISH A PAPER on the issue.

There are ways they can do this. And if they would take a few minutes with an IP attorney, doesn't have to be a patent attorney, just someone that knows about licensing, employment contracts and nondisclosure agreements.

Okay, so if you are developing a new business you aren't usually flush with cash. I just wish that these folks understood that the money spent now could save them from basically losing everything later. The consequences of making mistakes at the beginning can lead to:

1. An employee taking your IP
2. An inability to get a patent
3. Reverse engineered out from under you (which is not illegal)

And the ultimate ending is that you are sitting there, having completed all the research and development, put in the sweat time, and you have bupkiss.

I have seen the results twice now and each time I almost want to cry. Just imagine for a minute what that person (and you) feels like coming into your office and you have to tell them that there is little you can do. It sucks a lot.

My 200th post...I didn't really think it would last

I just noticed that this will be my 200th post. The problem is I have nothing profound to say. What I was planning on blogging about is whether or not I can take over the world in the next 30 years. I figure at 73 I am going to want to retire. I mean think of all the folks that have a head start.

I am starting small. I figure I can sew up this town in about 1.5 years. Now the state is going to be a little harder. But with a few allies, I believe that is another 7. Southeast - 15. Yeah, the world is unlikely. I suppose I will be happy with my corner of the universe.

Me, coming to a corner near you.

What to expect from being a first year associate...first 3 weeks

Day 1 - oh god, no one is giving me work. So few people have stopped by to say hello, I must be going to be shoved out soon.

Day 2 - AAAAAAAAA, I totally f'ed up that motion, good lord, they are going to fire me.

Day 3 - Wut? Busy, busy busy

Day 4 through 19 - busy busy busy.

First weekend, at the office, panicking because I have no idea what I am doing. I have to be committing legal malpractice. Okay, they are actually reviewing everything, not just tossing me in. Oh wait, no one is telling me what I am doing wrong...wait, no really, you, wait up, what did I do wrong...all of it? Oh, okay. Thanks for the feedback.

Second weekend, in a complete coma on the couch, crap I really have work to do, I should get to that, dear god let me just nap.

First 2.5 weeks in a nutshell. I LOVE IT.

And you are never, ever going to hear me say I wish I was back in law school. I love this, I am learning and putting all this to work and really DOING something. I don't care how busy I am, this is oh so much better than school. Excuse me, I need sleep.

Holy Beejeesus

Two weeks at work. Not at a huge law firm. Yet, this is my first weekend with some time.

Yay for work. Yay for a payday. Boo for not getting much time to move in. The house is still only partially unpacked.

Yay for having someone over for dinner tonight.

I am tired of having so little time to get things done. This will change once DH has relocated. I hope he won't be long.

More news to come.

SOOOOO LAZY

Wow, it's one week since I returned from Bar land and I have been really lazy, given the whole "I gotta move in 10 days" issue. And our moves are usually difficult. I forget how long it takes to pack 4 rooms of books (around 100 boxes, give or take). I forget about the basement and garage until the night before (can I rely on that being the reminder). And I hate packing. But since I am at home during the day and DH is not, I am stuck with it. That or having a raging bonfire in the backyard that DH would totally freak over (though he would get over it).

But lazy is good. The one day that I spent doing absolutely nothing was divine. It started around 8:30 am (mmmm, 10 hours sleep), proceeded to the couch where numerous Netflix videos were consumed, and didn't end until 11 PM when I shuffled off to bed. The only time I was vertical was to get eats, drinks, and bathroom breaks. Wish I could do it again.

Today will be busy. It is 8 am and I have started culling books and clothes, etc. The rest of the day will be similar in fashion. BUT I will be having dinner with a wonderful friend that is in town for the weekend.

Ugg, I hate packing.

What happens after?

I don't know if this blog will continue. I graduated, so it got me through law school. We will see what should happen now. All I know is I talked my DH into letting me get a Wii.

My dog farts

My dog can clear a room in a nanosecond. I have been woken in the middle of the night attempting to crawl away from the awful smell. But usually, the farting is only now and then. NOW, it's all the time. He had an allergic reaction to something and then he got an infection from licking and scratching. So he is on Benedryl and an antibiotic. I don't know which medication is doing it, but he has been farting the raunchiest farts in all creation. It is so bad, as soon as he settles down to sleep, I put an air purifier next to him. Gaaahhhhh.

Just thought I would share.