Own Your Brand: Trademarks 101

Imagine this:

--->After spending $10,000 on logos, brand identity, business cards, website development, packaging, and a tradeshow booth….

--->After developing your pitch deck and standing for hours at tradeshows…

--->After building up local, regional, or national name recognition for your product or service…

You wake up one day to find a cease and desist letter in your mailbox telling you to change your company’s name within 10 business days...or else.

Don’t let this be you. This workshop will provide practical advice for savvy startup founders looking to build and protect their valuable brand (business name, logos, product names, packaging design, and more.)

This session will be led by Amanda Heyman and Mike Rakes. Amanda is an attorney, startup founder and Director of Lunar Services at Lunar Startups. Mike Rakes, 2014 MN Cup Semi-finalist and current Marketing Manager, Innovation & New Business Development of Land O'Lakes. Join them for happy hour and a practical “trademarks for startups” workshop on November 14, 2018 at the beautiful new Lunar Startups space in the St. Paul Osborn370 innovation hub. In this workshop, you will learn:

• How much it costs to trademark your business name.

• Rules of thumb for when it is worth it to invest in trademark protection -- and when it isn’t.

• Why a trademark search is absolutely worth your time (and money), and DIY tips.

• How the trademark process works with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

• Pros and cons of DIY trademark applications vs. hiring a lawyer.

• How long it could take to obtain a trademark, and why you should apply for your trademark yesterday.

• What is trademark bullying and how third parties can come out of the woodwork during the trademark application process.

• How to identify the intellectual property your business (should) take steps to protect.

• Where you can find free resources to help you protect your brand.

Happy Hour: We will have non-alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, and light snacks available.

Parking Information: There is both street and ramp parking near the Osborn370 Building. Type in the address here to see the options: stpaul.gov/parking-saint-paul#iframe

Accommodations: We offer gender neutral bathrooms on site in addition to a wellness / prayer room. If any additional accommodations are needed, please contact Danielle at hello@lunarstartups.org. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least 3 days prior to the event.

Childcare: This is a family friendly event. All children must be supervised for the duration of this event by the adult with whom they attend the event. We also offer a wellness / mother's room on site.