Entrepreneur and Innovator Toolkit
Tools and information for entrepreneurs and innovators, on campus and off
Intellectual Property Considerations and Tools
ALL successful businesses have intellectual property or IP. This section will help you understand what intellectual property your business has or will have, and how you can better protect your intellectual property.
- What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
- Patents for Entrepreneurs and Innovators
- Trademarks for Entrepreneurs and Innovators
- Copyrights for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Coming soon)
- Trade Secrets for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Coming soon)
Additional Strategic Considerations
While knowing and protecting your IP can help you succeed, statistics show that many businesses fail, even if they have strong IP. This section will help you tilt the balance toward success.
- Striking the IP Balance: Timing, Cost, and Other Considerations (Coming soon)
- Who Brings What to Your Successful Team (Coming soon)
- Formally Forming a Business — Whys and Hows (Coming soon)
- Making and Adjusting Your Plan (Coming soon)
How the TTO Can Help
Businesses that license or acquire technologies from Universities are approximately X times more likely to succeed than typical startups. The BYU TTO provides a variety of services that can benefit your business.
- License or Acquire BYU Technologies
- Connect with Potential New Members of Your Team (Coming soon)
- Identify and Develop Research Opportunities
- Innovation and Business Competitions (Coming soon)
- Identify Problems Your Business Can Solve (Coming soon)
- Information Sessions (Coming soon)
Additional Resources
We can't provide everything for everyone, but here are some helpful links to other resources
- WIPO Publication - Enterprising Ideas: A Guide to IP for Startups
- BYU Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic — a source for assistance with legal decisions for future success
- BYU Technology Transfer Podcast — in-depth discussions regarding entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and more
- Utah Innovation Center — lots of resources to help businesses obtain funding, including SBIR and STTR assistance, bridging funds, and more
- Business Entity Search Utah/Delaware — check to make sure your chosen business name is available
- Trademark Search US/Europe and More — see if your selected business/product/service name is available to trademark (best for eliminating possibilities, not assuming it is clear to use)
- Business Registration Utah/Delaware — once you form your business, register it with your state of incorporation and state of business (if different)
- Patent Search — Google Patents is probably the most user-friendly search tool for beginners
- Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology - BYU center helping students start businesses
- WIPO Publication - Secrets of IP: A Guide for Small and Medium-sized Exporters - IP issues to consider for exporters