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Every NYC startup wants to move fast. You build, launch, and grow before someone else beats you to it. But there’s one thing that trips up many founders: not protecting their ideas from day one. Intellectual property (IP) mistakes can cost you money, time, and trust. The good news? You don’t need to get burned if you stay ahead of them.
Let’s look at the most common IP mistakes New York startups make, and how you can fix them now with help from a copyright or trademark lawyer NYC.
Your app name sounds catchy. Your logo looks sleek. But did you check if someone else already owns it? Many founders forget to run a proper trademark search. Later, they get a letter demanding that they stop using their name. That can mean rebranding costs, lost followers, and legal stress.
When you work with a trademark lawyer NYC early, you find out what names and logos are safe. They can:
If you’re serious about your brand, protect it properly. Don’t leave your name up for grabs.
Many startups hire freelancers to design logos, write code, or create marketing content. That’s smart, but here’s where people get stuck: they assume they own the work just because they paid for it.
Without a clear contract that says you own the work, you may not. A copyright lawyer NYC can draft agreements that spell out ownership rights. This protects your app, website, and creative assets.
Here’s what a good IP contract should cover:
One clear contract can save you months of headaches later.
Maybe you think only big media companies register copyrights. Not true. If you’ve built custom software, designed a website, or created original content, you should protect it.
A copyright lawyer NYC can help you file for copyright protection. This makes it easier to prove you created the work if someone copies it later. It also gives you more options if you ever need to take legal action.
Here’s what’s worth protecting:
Don’t wait for someone to steal your work before you take this step.
Your startup might be local today. But tomorrow, you could have users around the world. IP rights often stop at borders. If you register a trademark in the U.S., that doesn’t protect you in Europe or Asia.
A competent trademark lawyer can help you plan by looking at where you plan to do business next. They file trademarks or copyrights in those regions before launching.
This keeps you safe when you enter new markets and stops copycats from using your name overseas.
Some founders see open-source code as free to grab. Not all open-source is genuinely free. Some licenses have strings attached. If you reuse code or content without understanding the terms, you could face takedowns or pay fees later.
A good copyright lawyer will help you:
This saves you from costly surprises down the road.
Nothing worries an investor more than shaky IP. If you can’t prove you own your product’s name, code, or content, you look unprepared. Investors want to see a clean, protected IP that won’t turn into a lawsuit.
By working with a trademark and copyright lawyer, you show that your house is in order. That makes you more attractive when you’re ready to pitch or sell.
Keep it simple. Protect what you build. Here’s what smart founders do early on:
You don’t need to handle this alone. That’s why startups rely on a trademark lawyer. They help you register, monitor, and enforce your rights.
Most startups don’t lose to bigger competitors. They fail when they don’t lock down what makes them special. A stolen logo, a reused codebase, or a name you can’t legally keep can set you back months and sometimes longer. But a strong IP plan means your ideas, your brand, and your growth stay yours.
Get the right help early. Uncommon Counsel’s trademark lawyer checks names, file marks, and helps secure your code and content. When you protect your work, you protect your future.
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