IP for Startups: Building Protection from Day One

Episode Summary

In this episode, patent attorney Randall Bateman breaks down the essentials of intellectual property protection for startups. He explains why not every new business needs patents, trademarks, and copyrights at the same time, and how over-investing too early in IP can drain resources before a company even gets off the ground. Randall shares the most common mistakes startups make when it comes to trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets—and offers practical advice on how to avoid them.

From working with co-founders and contractors to protecting confidential information with investors, Randall provides a clear roadmap for founders to make smart IP decisions without wasting money.

Key Takeaways and Timestamps

00:58 – Why intellectual property matters for startups 04:20 – Avoiding wasted money on unnecessary IP 06:10 – The right timing to protect intellectual property 07:35 – The most common mistakes startups make with trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets 11:58 – Handling IP ownership with co-founders and contractors 14:40 – Protecting confidential information with investors

About the Show

Infringe at Your Own Risk is a podcast for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs who want to understand how intellectual property law protects their ideas, and how to avoid costly legal mistakes. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist and featuring IP attorney Randall Bateman of Bateman IP.