TEI 039: What Product Managers Need to Know about IP Protection

Global Product Management Talk is pleased to bring you episode 039 of...

The Everyday Innovator with host Chad McAllister, PhD.

The podcast is all about helping people involved in innovation and managing products become more successful, grow their careers, and STANDOUT from their peers.

Our Guest: Patents, trademarks, and copyrights make my head spin. But, any good product manager or innovator needs to consider the intellectual property issues when developing a product. Consequently, I asked patent attorney Dan Brean of the Webb Law Firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to help all of us Everyday Innovators navigate the IP issues with new product development. Dan is an experienced patent litigator and prosecutor, primarily working with mechanical, electrical, and software technologies, so he brings a good mix of hardware and software IP experience. He also teaches at the University of Pittsburgh school of law.

Of the many topics covered, one question asked is... What are the forms of IP protection and how do product managers know which ones they should consider?

• Utility patents are most common and cover the utilitarian value of a invention – something that performs a useful process.
• Design patents cover the ornamental appearance of a object or user interface – the aesthetic aspects of a design. Many inventions fall under utility patent and design patent protection.
• Trade secrets is anything that is kept confidential and has a commercial advantage to it. A famous example is the formula for Coca-Cola’s Coke beverage.
• Trademarks protect brand names or logos or other characteristics that specify a brand.
• Copyright protection is for artistic works.