Today I gave a presentation on Intellectual Property Basics to a team of accountants.  The practice has noticed an uptick in small business and startup clients, and they reached out to me to fill in some of the blanks about what makes the various types of IP valuable and best practices to protect said IP so that they have good answers when these clients look to them for advice.

Naturally, there are a variety of occasions when a patent attorney is the best resource for making decisions about an IP portfolio, but I appreciated the opportunity to share what I do for my clients and learn more about what they do for theirs.  It turns out that we often serve the same types of entrepreneurs and small businesses, and so in the future we may collaborate. 

You know the power of networking.  You can't have success in business without a solid network of referral sources, mentors, and sounding boards to serve as a launch pad for your own career (and it's best when you play those roles for others, as well).  As you start a new business, consider beginning a network of professional service providers such as accountants and attorneys.  You probably don't need to hire all of them right away, but start scouting for your team while you are still in the minors, then when you want to go Major League, you have gotten to know the capacity and value of those service providers you will rely on. 

Start off by finding one person you trust with sharing you ideas.  It doesn't need to be someone you will ever hire -- it could be a friend, former professor, or even your real estate agent.  After introducing your idea, ask specifically if they know someone who can do X.  Ask for the referral.  For the most part, people are happy to help their friends by introducing new potential clients, and the more people you can recruit to recommend resources, the more resources you have to choose from. 

I'll be the first one to tell you that you don't need me.  Any honest professional should do so.  But just because you don't need me NOW doesn't mean I can't be a resource in the future.  Build your dream team before you need them, and they will be ready when you call. 

Recently, we blogged about a case where a judge ordered a disgruntled customer to remove her colorful Yelp and Angie's List reviews about a contractor's services pending a decision on the defamation claims by the contractor.

The Supreme Court of Virginia just backpedaled substantially, vacating the injunction as premature.  In Virginia, at least, speech must be adjudicated defamatory before it can be silenced.  

No word yet on whether the contractor is moving forward with his claims for defamation.  Stay tuned.