Patents can change hands like property. In this one-minute guide, learn what a patent assignment is and why it matters. From startups transferring rights to investors, to inventors selling patents to big companies, see how and why ownership of an invention might shift after the patent is granted. It’s a speedy crash course on the business side of innovation.
Intellectual property comes with its own lingo. This straightforward guide cuts through the jargon, explaining common terms of art in IP law (like “novelty” or “infringement”) in plain language. It also recaps the main types of IP (patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.), making it easier for anyone to understand the landscape. After reading this, those confusing legal terms won’t intimidate you—they’ll empower you to talk about ideas and innovation with confidence.
Got a brilliant idea and ready to patent it? Before you leap, read this. It outlines the right way to patent your idea, step by step—from turning your idea into an invention to navigating patent law pitfalls. Empower yourself with knowledge to protect your invention efficiently and avoid common mistakes.
In under a minute, learn how to keep a secret in the business world. This quick primer on Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) tells you the basics: what NDAs do, when you need one (say, before pitching an invention or sharing code), and key points that should be in every NDA. It’s a rapid guide to using a simple contract to safeguard your ideas and confidential information.
Travel back to 1790, when the ink on the U.S. Constitution was barely dry and the very first U.S. patent was issued—signed by President George Washington himself. This historical snippet reveals who got Patent #1 (a process for making potash, used in soap) and how the early patent system worked. It’s a charming peek at the dawn of American innovation, showing our nation’s commitment to inventors from day one.
Innovation can be a daring—and sometimes dangerous—pursuit. This gripping article honors inventors and pioneers who literally risked their lives for progress. From hazardous experiments to perilous test flights, discover stories of courage and sacrifice that underscore the high stakes and passionate dedication behind world-changing inventions.
If you have too many ideas and not enough time, you’re facing a good problem—but a problem nonetheless. This piece helps inventors figure out which projects to focus on and which to shelve. Learn strategies to evaluate your brainstorms for impact and feasibility, so you can focus your energy on the ideas most likely to succeed and make an impact without burning out.
Diversity of minds fuels creativity. In one minute, this piece highlights how neurodiversity—different ways of thinking, like those of autistic or ADHD individuals—contributes to innovation. It celebrates the unique problem-solving approaches that neurodivergent people bring to the table and reminds us that embracing all kinds of brains isn’t just fair, it’s smart if we want to drive creativity forward.
Your name and face are yours—so who gets to profit from them? Enter the “right of publicity.” This article explains this lesser-known intellectual property right that lets individuals (not just celebrities) control commercial use of their identity. Find out how it protects against unauthorized endorsements or merchandise, and why understanding it matters in an age of viral fame and online influencers.
What is a Trade Secret? Welcome to Innovation Café, where we simplify the world of intellectual property in bite-sized segments.
One minute is enough to grasp the basics of trademarks. This rapid-fire article covers how trademarks safeguard names, logos, and slogans—the identity of businesses and products. Learn why even small entrepreneurs should consider trademarking their brand, the gist of how the registration process works, and how that little ™ or ® symbol can be a big asset in protecting the identity of your venture.
Give us two minutes and we’ll give you a crash course on filing a utility patent. This quick guide outlines what a utility patent is (the standard patent for new inventions), and the steps to apply for one. From writing claims to navigating forms, get the essential rundown on how to move your innovation from idea to patent-pending status. It’s everything you need to know to get started, packed into a brisk read.
Believe it or not, feeling like a fraud can actually make you stronger. This uplifting article reframes imposter syndrome—the self-doubt many creators feel—as a superpower. By questioning your own expertise, you stay curious, keep learning, and often over-prepare (which means you do great work!). Learn how to harness that nagging “I’m not good enough” feeling and turn it into fuel for growth, creativity, and confidence.
In just two minutes, get the lowdown on copyright. This snappy explainer covers what copyright protects (and what it doesn’t), who owns it, and how long it lasts. Perfect for creators and content users alike, it demystifies terms like “public domain” and “fair use” so you’ll know how to safeguard your creative works—and respect others’—in the digital age.
