Intellectual property (IP) is a cornerstone for protecting your startup’s innovations and ideas. This session will demystify patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Learn when and how to protect your IP, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage IP to secure funding and partnerships.

Building a business? Ever wish you could speak to and learn directly from subject matter experts (while never leaving your couch)? Join host Andy Lee from the University of Minnesota's Technology Commercialization office each Wednesday for this exciting and casual AMA ('ask me anything') style series on business building fundamentals. Check out all of the talks here: https://www.crowdcast.io/@techcomm

This event series is brought to you with support from Launch Minnesota, a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.

Damien is a technology lawyer who has advised clients on tech, litigated tech issues, remediated cybersecurity issues, and developed software. His legal experience is diverse (e.g., counseling, complex business litigation, financial litigation, intellectual property, and appeals), working with a variety of clients (e.g., large businesses, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals). 

Damien has also designed and developed software, implementing cutting-edge technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing) to improve the practice of law. He frequently speaks and writes on topics that discuss societal and legal changes through technology: Internet law, computer and technology law, copyright, and trademark law, cybersecurity, and data privacy. 

Tiko is the Pro Bono Programs Director of Legal Corps, an innovative Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides pro-bono services, making access to the legal system more inclusive by providing free assistance in transactional matters to low-income entrepreneurs, small business owners, inventors and small low-revenue nonprofit organizations. Legal Corps provides business owners with legal representation, guidance, advice, education and more. 

Understanding Intellectual Property