In this episode of The Shontavia Show, host Shontavia Johnson speaks with Nichole Hayden, an amazing intellectual property lawyer and law firm partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Nichole focuses on helping clients obtain patent protection for their inventions and trademarks that effectively protect their brand.

Shontavia and Nichole had a wide-ranging conversation about everything from how to find an IP lawyer, how long the whole application processes take, and how to be a good client. If you're an inventor, content creator, or entrepreneur, this episode is definitely for you. 

// Show Highlights

08:25 How long it takes to get a registered trademark or patent

09:30 What inventors should do before reaching out to a patent lawyer 

10:56 When inventors should reach out to a patent lawyer 

12:00 How much it costs to file a patent application 

13:09 How a provisional patent application can help you save money up front 

15:30 How trade secrets can save you money and protect your invention 

18:15 When you should contact a lawyer if you want to protect your trademark (it's earlier than you think!) 

22:13 How much it costs to file a trademark or copyright application 

23:36 Why Nichole thinks you need to always have an initial conversation with an IP lawyer 

24:27 Why choosing a good IP lawyer can save you now AND years down the line 

28:14 How startups can decide when to hire an in-house lawyer versus working with one on a contract basis 

30:13 Why creating a software- or app-based company is harder now than its ever been 

35:28 How IP lawyers decide whether you're a good client 

37:43 What you should do once you finally get that registered trademark, copyright or patent 

// Show Notes

Where to find Nichole Hayden: https://www.nelsonmullins.com/people/nichole-hayden?#overview

How to find a good intellectual property lawyer on a budget: https://shontavia.com/how-to-find-a-good-intellectual-property-lawyer-on-a-budget/

The Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents: https://www.nytimes.com/article/copyrights-trademarks-patents.html

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