On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, we’re excited to welcome Perkins Coie partner Britt Anderson to talk about trademark law. We discuss how trademark law overlaps with business and advertising, which can create complex legal issues for technology companies. Britt also digs deeper into why trademark rights may not be automatically granted with a company name and how you can apply for trademark registration in the United States and the rest of the world. 

“Salespeople often prefer descriptive trademarks, even with their weaknesses, because their descriptiveness makes it so easy for customers to understand the underlying product.” - Britt Anderson

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker discusses the normal patent application timeline, the ways you can speed up the patent examination process, and the associated costs of doing so.

Have questions, comments, or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker. We’d love to hear from you!

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker is joined by Lisa Oratz to discuss whether AI-created works are protectable under U.S. copyright law. They explore the meaning of “human authorship” in this context and whether images created by AI tools can be protected. They also dig into how much weight the U.S. Copyright Office’s decisions have and Lisa’s thoughts on how current guidelines may change in the future.Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, we talk about finding a good patent attorney. For those who have already engaged one, we provide tips to ensure that they are the right fit. We also dig into why having a good attorney is essential to protecting legal rights and why it is critical that a patent attorney understands a client’s business and business goals.

“A good attorney will draft the application with all of the potential infringers in mind.” - Jordan Becker

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker is excited to welcome his colleague Troy Foster, a partner and co-chair of Perkins Coie’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice, to discuss the differences and similarities of venture capital and private equity. Troy provides insight on when businesses should start to consider the type of investment that will take them forward and details the key differences in structure of venture capital and private equity firms.

“In the absence of significant resources within your network to grow a business and really have it take off, you're going to need to pull down some venture capital at some point.” - Troy Foster

On this episode of Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker discusses whether an inventor really needs a patent lawyer and how working with one can ensure the patent application is of the highest quality possible. We dive into factors that inventors need to consider before deciding whether to write the application themselves, use an invention help company, or engage a patent attorney. We also talk about what a patent application should look like, why the first answer from the Patent Office is likely to be “no,” and why writing a patent is an art form.

Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker and his colleague Valeska Pederson Hintz discuss raising capital for startup companies. Topics include the outlook for companies seeking to raise funds in 2024, the different types of investment rounds and what to know about each one, and what entrepreneurs and startups should keep in mind if they plan to raise capital.

Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

On this episode, host Jordan Becker explores three types of patent applications and reveals which ones are best suited for different types of inventions. Learn the difference between nonprovisional and provisional applications, and why savvy startups often begin their patent journey with a provisional patent application. Jordan also takes listeners behind the scenes of the prosecution phase of the patent application process and provides insights on how it all works.

Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

On this episode of The Tech Law Hangout, host Jordan Becker digs into intricacies of the patent application process. Discover the crucial time when an inventor should reach out to a patent lawyer, the significance of the filing date, and the power of taking early action to protect an invention. We'll uncover the secrets behind how the filing date can make or break the patentability of an invention, and Jordan highlights why inventors should welcome a rejection from the U.S. Patent Office on their first attempt.

Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, The Tech Law Hangout centers on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and tech law. Host Jordan Becker explores the evolving world of AI, discussing burning questions such as: Can AI creators claim exclusive rights to their software? And what happens when AI becomes the creator itself? We'll also unravel the differences between copyright and patent laws, and uncover the challenges and strategies for legally protecting AI technology. Get ready for a fascinating exploration of AI and intellectual property (IP) law.

“Patents are arguably the most powerful form of IP for protecting any type of technology or scientific invention.” - Jordan Becker

Have questions, comments or suggestions for a future podcast episode? Email Jordan Becker at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!