Most founders don't think about intellectual property until it's already a problem.

Maybe someone copied your product. Maybe you received a cease and desist letter. Maybe you're fundraising and realize your defensibility is thinner than you thought.

In this episode of Branded Assets, Kate breaks down the world of intellectual property in plain English, sharing real lessons from building Loba and navigating patents, trademarks, filings, lawyers, timelines, and the realities of enforcement.

You'll learn:

• The difference between utility patents, design patents, and provisional patents
• What "patent pending" actually means
• How trademarks work and why many names can't be protected
• Why patents and trademarks don't automatically stop competitors from copying you
• The real cost, timelines, and challenges of protecting IP
• How intellectual property impacts fundraising, valuation, and credibility
• Common mistakes founders make when approaching patents and trademarks
• What every entrepreneur should understand before investing in IP

Kate also shares the behind-the-scenes story of Loba's patent and trademark journey, including the surprising reality that some trademark registrations took nearly five years to complete.

Whether you're building a startup, launching a product, creating a brand, or simply curious about how intellectual property works, this episode offers a practical founder-focused introduction to patents, trademarks, and protection strategy.

Know an entrepreneur, creator, or business owner who should understand the basics of IP? Forward them this episode. It could save them significant time, money, and headaches down the road.

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KEYWORDS:

Intellectual property, patents, trademarks, patent pending, provisional patents, design patents, utility patents, startup founders, entrepreneurship, brand strategy, business strategy, startup funding, venture capital, product development, innovation, Canadian startups, intellectual property law, trademark registration, patent filing, business growth, founder education, personal branding, brand protection, defensible businesses, startup advice, product innovation, small business, scaling a business, startup ecosystem, founder journey, business podcast, marketing strategy, brand building, entrepreneurship podcast, Canadian entrepreneurs, startup lessons, business ownership.