I’m thrilled to share with you the latest episode of the Wealthy Wellthy Podcast, where I had the pleasure of interviewing Trademark Attorney Joey Vitale. Joey is an expert in trademark law and has a wealth of knowledge to help entrepreneurs protect their brands.
Joey and I met at a lawyer event, where we quickly connected over our shared interests in business law and helping entrepreneurs navigate legal challenges. Joey’s journey from working in a traditional law firm to starting his own practice is both inspiring and informative. In this episode, we delve into the importance of trademarks for business owners, common legal mistakes entrepreneurs make, and the critical steps to ensure your brand is protected.
During our conversation, Joey shares his personal story of how he transitioned from being the peacemaker in a big Italian Catholic family to a successful trademark attorney. He explains how his initial struggles in a traditional law firm led him to discover his true calling in business law, particularly helping entrepreneurs avoid legal pitfalls.
One of the highlights of our discussion is Joey’s advice on the first steps to take when considering a trademark. He emphasizes the importance of conducting a comprehensive search to ensure that your desired trademark is not already in use. This step can save entrepreneurs significant time and money by preventing potential legal disputes down the line.
Joey also shares a compelling story about a client who received a cease-and-desist order while on vacation, highlighting the real-world consequences of not securing your trademarks early. This story underlines the importance of proactive brand protection and the peace of mind it can bring.
Additionally, we discuss the practical aspects of using the TM symbol as a deterrent to potential copycats. Joey explained that while federal registration provides the strongest protection, even using the TM symbol can signal to others that you are serious about your brand.
Takeaways I Got From This Episode Were:
- The Importance of Trademarks: Joey emphasized that trademarks are not just a “nice to have” but a crucial part of owning and protecting your brand.
- Common Law vs. Federal Trademarks: He explained the difference between common law trademark rights and the more powerful federal trademark registration.
- Running Comprehensive Searches: Before launching a brand or filing a trademark, it’s essential to run a thorough search to ensure no similar trademarks exist.
- Using the TM Symbol: Joey advised that using the TM symbol can be a strong deterrent to potential copycats, even if you haven’t filed for federal registration yet.
- Protecting Your Creations: We discussed why it’s important to trademark everything from your business name to your course names to ensure all aspects of your brand are protected.
Here Are Five of My Favorite Quotes:
- “You don’t own your brand without trademarks.”
- “Trademarks are a must-have, not a nice-to-have.”
- “Using the TM symbol can deter potential copycats.”
- “Your brand is your biggest asset, protect it.”
- “A comprehensive trademark search is crucial before launching a brand.”
Time Stamps:
- [00:00] – [01:14] Introduction by Krisstina Wise, overview of the episode on trademark law with Joey Vitale.
- [01:14] – [02:25] Joey’s background and early career aspirations, growing up in a large Italian Catholic family.
- [02:25] – [04:28] Joey’s journey through college, decision to attend law school, and initial experiences as a lawyer.
- [04:28] – [06:28] Joey’s realization that traditional law wasn’t a good fit, transition to business law, and discovery of his strengths.
- [06:28] – [07:34] Joey’s transition from working for others to starting his own law firm.
- [07:34] – [09:14] Discussion of Joey’s first years as an entrepreneur and the lessons learned.
- [09:14] – [11:08] Joey’s experience working with his first niche client group: Etsy sellers and creative entrepreneurs.
- [11:08] – [13:48] Common legal challenges faced by entrepreneurs, specifically trademark issues and real-world examples.
- [13:48] – [15:30] Explanation of what a trademark is and its importance in business.
- [15:30] – [18:23] Discussion of different types of trademark rights: common law vs. federal registration.
- [18:23] – [21:28] Importance of using the TM symbol and securing trademarks early in business.
- [21:28] – [23:40] The process of trademark registration and its benefits for business owners.
- [23:40] – [26:15] Krisstina’s personal experiences with trademarking and enforcing trademark rights.
- [26:15] – [28:01] The importance of comprehensive trademark searches and potential risks of similarity.
- [28:01] – [31:27] Real-world example of trademark similarity: Blue Apron vs. Green Apron case.
- [31:27] – [33:11] Reasons why entrepreneurs often delay trademarking their brands.
- [33:11] – [36:02] Joey’s mission to make trademarking accessible and the importance of brand protection.
- [36:02] – [38:49] Discussion on the investment required for trademarking and the benefits of working with a law firm.
- [38:49] – [41:59] Overview of trademark services and costs, from DIY options to full law firm services.
- [41:59] – [44:18] Joey’s offer for a free brand protection session and the emotional benefits of securing trademarks.
- [44:18] – [45:25] Closing remarks and Joey’s request for podcast reviews.
- [45:25] – [47:07] Final thoughts on reframing business “problems” as “puzzles” and Krisstina’s outro.
Myth Buster: Reframing Business Challenges
Joey challenges the common perception of business difficulties as “problems.” Instead, he advocates for reframing these issues as “puzzles.” This simple shift in terminology can transform your approach to obstacles, encouraging creativity and a more positive outlook. By viewing challenges as puzzles to solve rather than problems to endure, entrepreneurs can maintain a proactive and solution-oriented mindset, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for growth and innovation.
