Business

THE APRIL FOOLS’ STUNT I DIDN’T DARE PULL


This one goes back more than a few years, but it’s being resurrected because the issues are timeless, and it’s a little amusing looking back when I was just a bit feistier, at least in print.  Email me if you have a good guess as to what year it first appeared. It was so tempting, but I didn’t dare poke the giant beast, even though I could have gotten away with it,  [...]

THE COOLEST THING I’VE EVER OWNED


(And Why Republicans Need to Erase their EV Blind Spot) Fun in the "Frunk" Sometimes, new technology is so disruptive that it becomes a magnet for attention, even to those with no actual need or interest in the technology.  Lately, I notice widespread curmudgeonry from some of my smart and perceptive friends and clients in the firearms community on social media.  A  [...]

WHEN IT’S SAFE TO LIFT THE SKIRT


The Surprises and Secrets of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) Photo credit: Oleg Volk Photo credit: Oleg Volk In the patent world, one of the most important, yet sur­pris­ingly overrated, issues is secrecy. Yet while it’s a need­less fear for many, it can make sense to protect your­self when you have to trust someone else with your secrets.  An NDA  [...]

HOW TO PROTECT “COOL”…


HOW TO PROTECT “COOL” TWO FAMILIAR WAYS TO PROTECT PRODUCT DESIGNS, PLUS A THIRD WAY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF AND CAN UNDOUBTEDLY AFFORD. Everyone wants a patent. It’s perfectly logical to want to protect a new product.  Technical innovations help set you apart in a crowded marketplace and a patent prevents anyone else from offering your innovation for 20  [...]

“SNOOPING INTO YOUR COMPETITORS’ BUSINESS PLANS”


(What Their Trademark Filings Reveal) Read on to see how this resolutely ties in to trademarks Every month on behalf of my clients, and to keep tabs on the industry, I personally search and review every trademark in the industry.  I like to know who’s filing what, and even who’s doing the filing.  I can sometimes get a peek behind the curtain when a major company  [...]

How to Get Top Dollar for Your Company in 5 Years


Almost five years ago I wrote that headline. Those who took the advice that month would be in negotiations for a transaction that closes early next year. Since I wrote that, we’ve been through several cycles of “Smart money is acquiring companies” and “Nobody is investing!” The lesson here is not to rely on the current climate to drive your optimism about selling  [...]