Avoid the Legal Horrors with Julie King: Patent, Trademark, and Business Strategy
Your business has IP worth protecting. Your brand deal contract may be signing it away. Your AI tools may not be as confidential as you think. I'm Julie King, a patent, IP, & business attorney with 25+ years of experience, and I make intellectual property and business law actually interesting—with a rock-and-horror twist. Patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, brand deals, and business law for small business owners and creators. No jargon. No condescension. Just the stuff you actually need to know. Avoid the legal horrors and keep rocking your IP. 💀🎸 Contact info at kingpatentlaw.
Your Social Media Handle Is Not Your Trademark Registration
If you've been building your brand under a social media handle, this episode is for you.
Most entrepreneurs assume that claiming a username locks in their brand. It doesn't. Your handle is a license from the platform—and every platform's terms of service explicitly reserves the right to transfer that username to someone with a valid trademark registration. The blue checkmark verifies your identity. It does not protect your brand name. Domain names and LLC registration don't count as trademark registration either.
In this episode, Julie King walks through: how trademark rights actually work (and wh...
What Happens to Your Online Business When You Die or Can't Work?
What happens to your Instagram account, your domain name, your email list, your Shopify store, your YouTube channel, and your podcast when you die—or when you're too sick or injured to run them?
A few weeks ago I covered what happens to your trademarks and patents. Today is the part nobody in the legal world is talking about enough: the digital infrastructure of your business. Why short-term disability is actually harder to plan for than death. Why your power of attorney probably isn't solving the problem you think it is. And seven specific things you can do...
Operating Agreements: The LLC Document That Saves Businesses and Friendships
Your LLC has default rules. They were not written for your business.
In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about operating agreements: the internal document that governs how your LLC runs, protects your partnerships, and determines what happens when things go sideways.
Whether you're a solo LLC owner (yes, you need this too) or you have business partners, this episode covers what an operating agreement is, what it must include, 8 of the most costly mistakes I see, and the questions I'm asked most often on this topic.
📋 Download the fre...
Your Trademark Doesn't Know You're Dead. Will it Die with You? Intellectual Property Succession Planning
What happens to your trademarks, patents, and copyrights when you die, and why your heirs probably have no idea what they're actually inheriting?
In Part 1 of a two-part series on IP legacy, patent and business attorney Julie King breaks down the IP succession crisis: what makes intellectual property different from every other asset in your estate, the three ownership scenarios that determine what happens to your IP when you're gone, and six concrete steps to protect everything you've built.
Plus: the assignment document requirement most estate attorneys don't know about, and the Prince estate as...
Brand Deals From Hell: The AI Clause Even Taylor Swift Is Fighting And What You Can Do About It
Taylor Swift just filed to trademark her voice. Here's why that matters for every creator, and the 8 brand deal contract clauses you need to read before you sign anything.
In this episode, I walk through the eight contract clauses in brand deals that quietly strip creators of their rights, including the AI replica clause that Taylor Swift's legal team is working to address through trademark law. What each clause means, why it matters, and what you can do contractually right now.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction: Taylor Swift just applied to register her voice as a trademark<...
The Cult of the Copycat: Protecting Your Brand’s Look and Feel with Trade Dress Trademarks
If a competitor opens up down the street with the same color scheme, the same layout, the same vibe, and just a different name, is that legal? Maybe not.
Today Julie King of King Patent Law, PLLC, covers trade dress: the intellectual property protection that most small business owners have never heard of, which can protect everything that makes your business visually distinctive, above and beyond your name and logo.
In this episode:
What trade dress is and what it protects, from packaging to restaurant interiors to color combinationsThe two legal requirements: distinctiveness and...What Coca-Cola Did to Johnny Cash and Why Every Creator Should Be Terrified of 3 Brand Deal Traps
In November 2025, the Johnny Cash estate sued Coca-Cola for using a Cash tribute singer to make a commercial sound like it was voiced by the Man in Black himself, without asking permission or paying a dime. Sound familiar? It should. Tom Waits won $2.375 million from Frito-Lay for the same thing in 1992. Some brands apparently never learn.
But this isn't just a celebrity problem. If you're a creator, influencer, or small business owner working with brands or hiring marketing agencies, your contracts may already contain clauses that hand over your content, your voice, and your reputation without you...
Is Your AI Tool Destroying Attorney-Client Privilege? What Every Lawyer Needs to Know
There is a federal court decision from February 2026 that every attorney using AI tools needs to read, not because of what it held, but because of what it did NOT hold, and because most of the published commentary is getting the scope of the ruling wrong in ways that could lead you to precisely the wrong conclusions.
In this episode, Julie King of King Patent Law, PLLC, walks through the Heppner decision with the precision it deserves, then covers the issues that matter even more for day-to-day practice: attorney AI use and privilege, the AI meeting notetaker...
AI and Your IP: What Every Small Business Owner Actually Needs to Know in 2026 about Copyright, Trademarks, Patents, and Artificial Intelligence
There is a significant amount of misinformation circulating right now about what AI does and does not mean for your intellectual property. In this episode, Julie King of King Patent Law, PLLC, cuts through the noise with what the law actually says RIGHT NOW about copyright, trademarks, patents, training data, and the growing threat of AI-generated digital replicas.
This episode covers:
What the U.S. Copyright Office now says about AI-generated works (and the three scenarios that determine your copyright status) Whether your AI prompt makes you the author of the output — the Copyright Office has a...IP Strategy for Creatives: Protect Your Art, Your Brand, and Your Business
The designer who spent weeks on a logo, got paid, and then discovered she owned nothing. That is what a work-made-for-hire clause can do, and it happens every single day to designers, photographers, musicians, illustrators, and writers.
In this episode, attorney Julie King of King Patent Law breaks down IP strategy for creatives: the four types of intellectual property protection, the copyright registration question that determines whether you can actually fight back when someone steals your work, the contract language that silently strips creatives of their rights, and a specific breakdown for influencers and content creators on...
Zombie Businesses: Avoiding the IP and Succession Nightmare
What happens to your business when you die? If you're a sole proprietor, or if you don’t address succession planning properly for your partnership, LLC, or corporation, the answer is: zombie chaos.
In this episode of Spellbinding IP: Patent, Trademark, and Business Strategy, attorney Julie King of King Patent Law walks through the legal reality of what happens to a business, and its intellectual property assets, when an owner dies without a succession plan.
Using a real client case (fully anonymized) where a family business devolved into active litigation among family members, Julie shows sh...
Is Your Business Legally Cursed? The 7-Point Checkup Every Small Business Owner Needs
Most business problems don't announce themselves with flashing warning lights. They lurk in outdated contracts, expired licenses, and forgotten compliance deadlines. By the time you notice them, they've already cost you money.
In this video I walk through a 7-point legal health check every small business owner should do at least once a year, and I show you how to do a 15-minute version if that's all the time you have right now.
In this video:
How to verify your business entity is still in good standing (and what happens if it isn't)Why...Tales from the Crypt(ic Requirements): Trademark Specimens and Intent-to-Use Trademark Applications Decoded
Want to file a trademark before you launch your business? Intent-to-Use (ITU) applications let you secure your brand name before going public, but they're significantly more complex than standard trademark filings.
In this episode, I break down ITU applications and the highly technical specimen requirements that trip up even experienced filers. Learn what trademark specimens actually are, what the USPTO accepts (and rejects), why website screenshots often fail, and the absolute deadlines you cannot miss.
Specimen rejections are one of the most common reasons for Office Actions. Understanding the requirements helps you appreciate why professional...
28 Months Later: PCT vs Paris Convention (International Patent Filing Explained)
Planning to sell your invention internationally? You need a global patent strategy, because international filing is complex and expensive.
In this episode, patent attorney Julie King breaks down your options for protecting inventions abroad: the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Paris Convention direct filing, and regional systems like the European Patent Office.
Learn when each strategy makes sense, the critical deadlines that can destroy your international rights, realistic cost expectations ($40k-$60k+ for 5 countries), and strategic questions to ask before committing to foreign filings.
Key topics covered:
Why there's no such thing as...The Jump Scare of Patent Costs: A Realistic Look and Time and Money
What does it actually cost to get a patent? Not the advertised number from patent mills. The real, complete cost.
Patent attorney Julie King breaks down typical expenses you'll encounter in the patent process, from initial searches to maintenance fees, and why that $25,000+ budget for a US patent isn't a scare tactic; it's reality.
You'll learn:
How long it takes at a minimum to get a patent (probably much longer than you think)What a professional patentability search actually costs What properly drafted applications cost What Office Actions are, why you'll probably get at...DIY Patent Applications: A Recipe for Disaster
Can you legally file your own patent application? Yes. Should you? Patent attorney Julie King explains why DIY patent applications are almost always a terrible idea, and the rare circumstances when they might be acceptable.
You'll learn:
Why patent law is uniquely technical and complexWhat patent attorneys bring to the table (technical degrees + legal training + special bar exam)How one wrong word in your claims can make your patent worthlessThe real cost of trying to save money with DIY filingWhen DIY might be acceptable (hint: only if you don't care about actually getting strong protection)...
It's Alive! (But Only If You File the Non-Provisional Patent Application)
This might be the most important misconception to clear up in all of patent law: there is no such thing as a "provisional patent."
Patent attorney Julie King explains the critical difference between provisional applications, non-provisional applications, and actual issued patents, and why getting this wrong can cost you everything.
You'll learn:
Why a provisional application is NOT a patentThe 12-month deadline that can make or break your patent rightsWhy you have ZERO enforceable rights until a patent is actually grantedPlus: The Frankenstein analogy that makes this all make sense.
...
What Dr. Frankenstein Knew: The Power of Detailed Invention Documentation for Patent Protection
The most underrated, and most critical, step in the patent process is something you can start doing today, for free: detailed documentation of your invention.
In this episode, patent attorney Julie King explains exactly what you need to document, how to do it properly, and why this seemingly simple step can be the difference between winning and losing a patent dispute.
You'll learn:
The things you must document about your inventionWhy documenting failures is just as important as documenting successesWhy documenting is important in the first placePlus: Why Dr. Frankenstein's lab notes...
Nightmare on Patent Street: When You Seek the Wrong Type of Protection
Not everything needs a patent, and seeking the wrong type of intellectual property protection can waste thousands of dollars and months of your time.
In this quick episode, patent attorney Julie King explains the critical differences between patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and how to know which one (or which combination) your business actually needs.
You'll learn:
Why your company logo can't be patented (and what it needs instead)When trade secret protection is smarter than a patent (like Coca-Cola's formula)The difference between patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secretsWhy some inventions need...Don't Let Your New Year's Patent Dreams Become a Nightmare: Seven Steps to Patent Filing Success
New year, new patent goals? Before you spend thousands on the wrong type of protection, listen to this.
Chapters:
0:13 Getting a Patent Can Be Complicated0:33 Step 1: First Things First. Do You Actually Need a Patent?1:32 Step 2: Document Everything2:52 Step 3: Do Some Preliminary Research4:28 Step 4: Think About Your IP Strategy Holistically6:00 Step 5: Understand Your Patent Options7:14 Utility patent applications are where things get interesting7:29 Provisional patent application9:16 Non-provisional patent application10:23 Step 6: Know What You're Up Against (The Reality Check)12:38 Step 7: Hire a Patent Attorney (Yes, Really)14:27 Ready to Take Action?New year, new patent goals? Before...
Fortress or Castle? LLC vs. Corporation (Which Do You Need?)
In this episode, I go over:
the pros and cons of having an LLCthe pros and cons of having a corporationwhen to chose a C-corporationwhen to elect S-corporation taxation for your LLC or corporationAvoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a l...
Losing Liability Protection: What "Piercing the Corporate Veil" Really Means
What does "piercing the corporate veil" mean, and why should you care?
Your LLC or corporation creates a legal shield between you and your business. Business gets sued? Only business assets are at risk.
But courts will "pierce the veil" and hold you personally liable for business debts if you do the things I list in this episode.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Dis...
The Corporate Castle: S-Corp vs. C-Corp Explained (Key Differences)
S-Corps and C-Corps offer maximum liability protection, but they come with formalities, costs, and tax implications most small businesses don't need.
In this episode, I go over:
what C-corporations and S-corporations are, when they're a good idea and why, andwhy starting as an LLC is the right choice for most small businesses.Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes...
The LLC Fortress: Why Most Businesses Choose It (And When the Walls Fail)
The LLC is the most popular business structure in America for good reason. But the fortress walls only protect you if you maintain them properly.
🏰 WHY MOST BUSINESSES CHOOSE LLCs:
Liability protection - Personal assets shielded from business liabilitiesFlexible management structurePass-through taxation (no entity-level tax)Tax flexibility (can elect S-Corp treatment later)Less formality than corporationsCredibility with customers and vendors⚠️ WHEN THE FORTRESS FAILS: "Piercing the Corporate Veil"
Courts will strip away your LLC protection if you:
❌ Mix personal and business finances❌ Pay personal expenses from the business account❌ Fail to maintain separate bank...The Entityville Horror: Choosing Your Business Structure (LLC, Corporation, or Partnership)
Welcome to Entityville, where every business must choose a dwelling. Your choice determines whether you sleep soundly or lie awake worrying about personal liability and tax burdens.
In this episode, I walk you through the four main business structures:
The Exposed Cottage (Sole Proprietorship) - Zero protection, maximum personal riskThe Shared Mansion (Partnership) - Dangerous without proper agreementsThe Fortress (LLC) - Liability protection with flexibilityThe Corporate Castle (S-Corp vs. C-Corp) - Maximum security with formalitiesI cover:
When each structure makes sense (and when it's a terrible choice)How to avoid "piercing the corporate...Patent vs Trade Secret. Which One Will Spare You from Innovation Horror?
If you have an innovation, you face a choice: patent it or keep it as a trade secret.
I walk through some advantages and disadvantages of protecting innovation through patents and as trade secrets.
Then I tell you the strategic question to ask yourself and how your answer will help determine which is the most appropriate protection.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Discla...
Trade Secret Self-Check: Is Your Secret Formula Actually Secret?
If your business has confidential information, or trade secrets, this beginning-of-year trade secret self-check could save you from losing valuable rights. I'm Julie King with King Patent Law, and today I'm walking you through how to audit your trade secrets.
I walk through three critical questions you need to ask about your business secrets.
I go over how to answer these questions and what to do about your answers.
These questions will help you identify gaps in your trade secret protection.
For the complete IP audit checklist, watch the full video...
Patent Self-Check: Make Sure Your Innovations Are Protected from IP Grave Robbers
If you have patents or patent applications, this beginning-of-year self-check could save you from losing valuable rights. I'm Julie King with King Patent Law, and today I'm walking you through how to audit your patents.
I walk through three critical questions you need to ask about your patents, patent applications, and innovations.
I go over how to answer these questions and what to do about your answers.
These questions will help you identify gaps in your patent protection.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
For the...
Beginning-of-Year Trademark Audit: Is Your Brand Identity Possessed by Someone Else?
Your brand might not be as protected as you think. I'm Julie King with King Patent Law, and today I'm showing you how to audit your trademark protection in 2026.
Let's walk through five critical questions you need to ask about your trademarks.
Question one: What are you using versus what's registered?
Question two: Have you expanded into new categories?
Question three: Are you using the ® symbol correctly?
Question four: Do you own your domains and social handles?
Question five: Are there trademark squatters or infringers?
I...
Intellectual Property Checkup: The Annual Exorcism of Business Horror Part 2
The Annual Exorcism of Business Horror Part 2: Your IP Legal Checkup | What Intellectual Property Is Haunting Your Business?
⏱️ CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction: Why an IP Audit Matters
1:39 IP Refresher (What do Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets Protect?)
2:15 Trademark Audit (Brand Names, Logos, Domains, Product/Packaging Design)
10:53 Copyright Audit (Creative Works, Ownership)
16:37 Patent and Trade Secret Audit (Protecting Your Innovations and Confidential Information)
25:00 Conclusion and Resources (Free Checklist)
Last week, I talked about your business foundation: entity status, contracts, licenses, etc. Those are the operational back...
3 Contract Red Flags to Check Right Now that Can Keep You In Contract Purgatory
Three contract red flags every business owner should check right now.
Red flag #1: You're operating under an expired contract. A one-year contract ended, but both parties kept performing. You've created legal ambiguity that could blow up in a dispute.
Red flag #2: You have an auto-renewal contract and missedthe cancellation deadline. Many contracts renew automatically unless you give 30, 60, or 90 days’ notice. If you want out, you need to know those deadlines NOW.
Red flag #3: You're paying for services you're not using. Just because you signed it doesn't mean you have to keep it. January is...
What "Good Standing" Really Means, Why It's Important, and How Monstrously Easy It Isto Check It
What does "good standing" actually mean for your business?
If you formed an LLC or corporation, your state requires youto file annual reports and pay fees to stay active. If you don't, your business falls out of "good standing."
Why does this matter? Operating while not in good standingcan void your liability protection, prevent you from filing lawsuits, and create problems when you try to get a loan or sell the business.
Check your status right now at your Secretary of State'swebsite. Takes two minutes.
WANT A FULL 7-POINT BUSINESS CHECKUP...
This Registered Agent Mistake Could Cost a Business a Horrifying Amount of Money
This registered agent mistake could cost your business $10K+
Registered agent moves and doesn’t update address. Business misses a lawsuit notice.
Default judgment: $10,000.
Check your registered agent info NOW.
WANT A FULL 7-POINT BUSINESS CHECKUP CHECKLIST?
Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposesonly, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship.For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.
15-Minute Business Health Check (to avoid being a zombie business)
You're busy. You don't have time for a full business audit this month. I get it.
Here's a 15-minute business health check you can do right now that will prevent many of the easily preventable legal disasters I see in small businesses.
⏱️ THE 3 STEPS (5 minutes each):
1. Check your state business entity status online
2. Calendar all renewal deadlines for the year
3. Verify your registered agent contact info
Fifteen minutes. Three tasks. Prevents disaster.
📋 WANT THE FULL CHECKUP?
Get the comple...
3 Corporate Housekeeping Tasks You Can't Ignore
Your business entity might be in trouble, and you don't even know it. Here are 3 critical corporate housekeeping tasks you need to check right now.
THE 3 TASKS:
1. Verify your business is in good standing with the state
2. Confirm your registered agent information is current
3. Review your operating agreement or bylaws
These three tasks take less than an hour total, but theyprevent catastrophic problems down the road.
📋 DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST:Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/
Ready to pro...
The Annual Exorcism: Your Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup
It's January, and your business needs a checkup. I'm breaking down the 7 critical things every business owner should review this month to prevent legal disasters before they start.🗂️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction: Why January?1:32 - Corporate Housekeeping (Points 1-3)5:30 - Contracts and Agreements (Points 4-5)8:39 - Compliance and Licensing (Points 6-7)11:10 - The 15-Minute Quick Check12:13 - When to Call a Lawyer12:56 - Conclusion and Resources📋 DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST:Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/✅ THE 7 POINTS COVERED:1. Verify your business entity is in good standing2. Confirm your registered agent information is current3. Review and...
Doubling Product Design Protection Via Design Patents and Trade Dress Trademarks
In this episode, patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers how to use BOTH design patent protection and trade dress trademark protection to protect your product design initially and indefinitely.
Learn which to use first and why that is.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advi...
Trade Dress Trademarks Vs Design Patents, And How Functionality Can Ruin Both
In this episode, patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers the differences between design patents and trade dress trademarks, and how the design being functional and not just ornamental can be a HUGE problem for getting either kind of protection.
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client...
The Secret to Immortal Design Protection (How Trade Dress Outlasts Patents)
In this episode (#150!), patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers how trade dress trademarks can protect your product design indefinitely.
Learn the two strict hurdles to getting this protection: non-functionality and "secondary meaning."
Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
________________________________________
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your...
Why a Design Patent Is Your First Line of Defense for How Your Product LOOKS
In this episode, Julie King covers how a design patent is the first intellectual property tool to use to protect and defend how your product LOOKS.
Full transcript at kingpatentlaw.com/blog
Don't let the legal darkness win. Ready to build or manage your frighteningly powerful IP? Book your consultation with me at kingpatentlaw.com.
Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.
This information is for educational purposes only, isn’t legal advice, and doesn’t form an attorney-client relationship. Please seek the counsel of a licensed attorney, perhaps me, for your...
