Who Owns Your Trademark? Legal Rules Every Startup Founder Should Know

Who Owns Your Trademark? Legal Rules Every Startup Founder Should Know

From Inherently Distinctive Podcast by ownyourgenius

September 25, 2025 · 16 min · Episode 11

About this episode

Attorney Mark Goodman discusses the complexities of trademark ownership for startup founders and the implications of legal missteps.

In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, attorney Mark Goodman dives into a deceptively simple question: Who owns your trademark? From LLCs to sole proprietors, Mark breaks down the legal nuances of trademark ownership and the real-world consequences of getting it wrong. He shares hard-earned lessons from real-life trademark disputes, including issues around ownership structure, invalid applications, and improper assignments. Whether you’re a founder, startup team member, or contractor, this episode is packed with essential advice to help you protect your brand and avoid costly missteps.

Topics covered

  • trademark ownership
  • legal advice
  • startup founders
  • brand protection

Keywords

  • LLC
  • sole proprietors
  • trademark disputes
  • ownership structure
  • invalid applications
  • improper assignments

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