During an IP Builder kickoff this morning, a new client astutely asked about IP ownership of the Headshots we’ll create together.

Answer: all final work-product created during the Sprint is 100% the client’s.

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But it also prompted a question that I’ve answered in webinars, but not here:

🤔 How should I be thinking about legally protecting the Headshots, and any other frameworks I create?

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First, the major disclaimer that I am not an IP attorney.

If you’re interested in hearing from or talking to a US IP attorney, I’d recommend following Erin Austin who specializes in copyright protection for solopreneurs (and is overall a lovely person!)

Erin is on this list and is probably going to cringe at the rest of this post…🫣

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Now, I tend to use a more loose and gentle definition of “intellectual property” than a lawyer would.

I use “IP” not to represent a legally owned asset, but rather to refer more figuratively to a synthesis or codification of the insights and know-how you’ve gained over your career.

You can create these IP assets to document your approach, share with clients and prospects, and build your unique authority in the market.

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The question then comes in — ok, if I codify my expertise into a framework, course, diagram, headshot, etc., should I be taking steps to protect it legally?

A lawyer would likely say yes.

But the answer depends on your risk tolerance.

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My approach:

• At the rate I put out Headshots and frameworks through The Lightbulb, LinkedIn, or any other public forum, it would be a massive expense of time and money to try to legally protect it all.
• Instead, I wordmark everything and publish it publicly as a sort of ownership timestamp
• Some of my IP falls flat and lives quietly in my archive. Which is fine.
• But other frameworks, terminology, writing, visuals really take off and have become critical, revenue-producing business assets
• It’s those critical business assets that make sense to protect legally, to keep others from taking, monetizing, and even copyrighting or trademarking them themselves.
• But, I first need some audience signal, collected over time, to know what to protect.

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So, you should use your own judgement.

For me, I admittedly leave myself exposed to some risk.

Just like this entire solo path, it’s all a bit of a gamble….

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But whatever you do...don't stop creating.

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💡

-Wes

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P.S. Feeling a summer slowdown? The IP Builder Sprint is open for July sprints.

One-on-one. Two weeks. Walk away with five 'intellectual headshots' to boost your authority, pipeline and confidence.

Check out details and dates here, or book a no-commitment call to see if it's a good fit!