IC_P: Intellectual Property Basics for Makers & Entrepreneurs: Protecting Your Ideas

Do you know the difference between patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Learn the basics of intellectual property (IP) and ways to protect your innovations as you move from idea to product. This session is presented by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States. The session will cover:

• What the USPTO is and the resources available
• An overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
• Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
• How to get started protecting your intellectual property, followed by a live Q&A where you can ask questions.

Speaker: Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office