Inherently Distinctive Podcast

You Got a Cease and Desist Letter — Now What?

Episode Summary:
Attorney Mark Goodman discusses what to do when receiving a cease and desist letter, covering response options, risks of ignoring such letters, and strategies for handling intellectual property disputes. He shares practical advice and real-world examples, including his own experience with Gucci regarding his law firm's logo.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - First steps when receiving a cease and desist letter
02:19 - Understanding enforceability of cease and desist letters
04:10 - Risks of ignoring cease and desist letters
05:38 - Evaluating claim validity
07:51 - Response options and strategies
11:09 - Real case example: Goodman Law vs. Gucci
13:29 - When to fight vs. when to pivot
16:41 - Final advice for businesses
 
About the Show:
Inherently Distinctive with attorney Mark Goodman explores intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and business innovation. Hosted by Sophia Morales, the show provides practical legal insights for business owners and entrepreneurs.

From Idea to Trademark Portfolio: Building Brand Over Time

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, host Zofia Morales and trademark attorney Mark Goodman discuss how businesses can strategically build their trademark portfolios over time. Mark shares insights on trademark protection strategies, from initial filing to developing a comprehensive brand protection plan.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:29 - Why businesses should view trademarks as a long-term strategy
02:33 - Discussion on trademarking colors and trade dress
04:12 - How startups can begin building their trademark portfolio
05:54 - Different types of trademarks beyond names and logos
06:39 - Understanding in-use vs. intent-to-use trademark applications
09:47 - Smart trademark strategy from day one
12:46 - The importance of brand consistency and risks of rebranding
14:39 - Discussion on logo variations and trademark applications
 
About the Show:
Inherently Distinctive with attorney Mark Goodman explores intellectual property law, focusing on patent law, trademark law, copyright law, and business law related to innovation. The show provides practical insights for businesses looking to protect their intellectual property.

Trademark Renewal 101 — What Happens If You Miss a Deadline

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, host Sophia Morales and trademark attorney Mark Goodman discuss Trademark Renewal 101, covering essential deadlines, renewal requirements, and the consequences of missing deadlines. Mark explains the perpetual nature of trademarks, renewal timelines, and the importance of proper trademark monitoring and enforcement.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:20 - Introduction and episode topic
00:34 - Overview of trademark duration and renewals
01:55 - Renewal timeline requirements
03:08 - Consequences of missing deadlines
08:54 - Discussion of incontestability status
10:15 - Importance of trademark enforcement
12:40 - Trademark monitoring services
14:19 - Advice for managing multiple trademarks
 
About the Show:
Inherently Distinctive is a podcast featuring attorney Mark Goodman, whose practice focuses on patent law, trademark law, copyright law, and business law related to innovation. The show provides valuable insights and practical advice for businesses and individuals navigating intellectual property matters.

Scam Alert — How to Spot and Avoid IP Fraudsters

Episode Summary:
Attorney Mark Goodman discusses common intellectual property scams targeting inventors and small business owners, particularly in trademark applications. He explains how fraudsters exploit public trademark information to send deceptive invoices and offers for unnecessary services, and provides practical advice on identifying and avoiding these scams.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Common IP scams targeting trademark owners
02:06 - Example of fraudulent trademark publication offer
04:14 - Analysis of scammer tactics and fine print
10:09 - Truth about trademark renewals and expiration
13:07 - Red flags to watch for in suspicious communications
14:48 - Steps to take if you've fallen for a scam
17:17 - Trusted resources for verification
 
About the Show:
"Inherently Distinctive" features attorney Mark Goodman, whose practice focuses on patent law, trademark law, copyright law, and business law related to innovation. Hosted by Sophia Morales, the show provides valuable insights into intellectual property matters for businesses and inventors. 

DIY vs. Pro: The High Stakes of Navigating Patents and Trademarks Alone

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Mark Goodman to explore the risks and challenges of handling patents and trademarks without professional help. They discuss common mistakes entrepreneurs and business owners make when attempting to file on their own, including missing critical deadlines, filing incorrect ownership details, and underestimating the complexity of intellectual property law. Mark shares real-world examples of how DIY filings can lead to costly legal battles and loss of rights. Tune in to learn why investing in a professional from the start can save time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Own Your Genius with Mark Goodman
00:05 – Overview of today's topic: DIY patent and trademark filings vs. hiring a lawyer
00:46 – Why do so many entrepreneurs attempt to file patents and trademarks on their own?
01:53 – The risks of DIY patent filings: Losing rights due to missed deadlines
02:50 – The one-year rule for U.S. patents and how other countries have stricter deadlines
06:04 – Common trademark filing mistakes, including incorrect ownership and improper specimens
07:42 – Why patent writing is complex and requires legal expertise
09:41 – The long-term financial risks of handling intellectual property alone
11:02 – How deadlines and administrative requirements can trip up DIY filers
12:59 – The cost of fixing mistakes vs. doing it right the first time
14:27 – Final thoughts: Let the professionals handle intellectual property matters
About the Show:
Inherently Distinctive is a podcast hosted by attorney Mark Goodman, focusing on intellectual property law, business law, and innovation. Mark breaks down complex legal topics into actionable insights for entrepreneurs, inventors, and business owners looking to protect their ideas.

Trademark 101: What It Is and How It Stands Apart from Patents and Copyrights

Episode Summary
In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Mark Goodman to break down the fundamentals of trademarks. Mark explains what a trademark is, how it differs from patents and copyrights, and why it’s essential for protecting your brand. He also walks through the trademark registration process, eligibility criteria, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to the episode and welcome from Kevin Rosenquist00:05 – Who is Mark Goodman? His legal expertise in intellectual property00:25 – Overview of intellectual property: patents, trademarks, and copyrights00:44 – What is a trademark? How it protects branding02:30 – The Starbucks example: Why trademarks prevent confusion04:30 – How to know if you're eligible for a trademark05:23 – Choosing a strong trademark name and the spectrum from generic to fanciful marks08:42 – Why businesses need to avoid similar or conflicting trademarks09:27 – How to search for existing trademarks12:35 – The trademark registration process and federal vs. state trademarks14:07 – How long trademarks last and how to maintain them15:29 – Do you need a lawyer for trademark registration? Pitfalls to avoid
About the Show
Inherently Distinctive with Mark Goodman is a podcast dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, inventors, and business owners understand intellectual property law. From trademarks to patents and copyrights, Mark breaks down legal concepts in a practical and engaging way. Whether you’re launching a startup or protecting an established brand, this show provides valuable legal insights to help you own and protect your genius.

From Idea to Invention: The Step-by-Step Guide to Securing a Patent

Episode Summary
In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Mark Goodman to break down the patent process. From defining what a patent is to explaining the different types of patents and the steps involved in obtaining one, Mark provides a comprehensive guide for inventors and entrepreneurs. They discuss the importance of novelty, how the patent office evaluates applications, and the strategic value of "patent pending" status. Mark also shares insights on how long the process takes, ways to expedite it, and the cost considerations for filing a patent.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Inherently Distinctive00:05 – Meet attorney Mark Goodman and today’s topic00:34 – What is a patent and why does it matter?02:07 – The balance between broad and narrow patent claims04:35 – How to determine which type of patent applies to your invention06:22 – The key criteria for patentability10:07 – How long does the patent process take?14:15 – Can you speed up the process?14:20 – Understanding patent costs and fee structures16:20 – Do you need a patent attorney, or can you do it yourself?18:35 – The importance of proper patent claim strategy19:05 – Why some attorneys believe getting a patent too easily might mean you gave up too much20:00 – Provisional patents: A cost-effective way to secure "patent pending" status21:02 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Mark Goodman23:08 – Mark’s vision for the podcast and engaging with the audience
About the Show
Inherently Distinctive with Mark Goodman explores the intersection of innovation and intellectual property law. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, this podcast provides practical insights into patents, trademarks, copyrights, and business law, helping inventors and entrepreneurs navigate the legal landscape of innovation.