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https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Brian-Goldberg-Trademarking-Brands/

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== Are you investing in your brand but ignoring its legal foundations?

== Have you assumed your domain name means you own the brand?

== Would losing your business name tomorrow kill your strategy?

If you’re building a brand you care about, this episode is for you.

In this episode, John Downes speaks with Brian Goldberg, trademark expert and founder of Trademark Ventures. He’s helped hundreds of Australian founders and CEOs build and protect business assets through strong brand ownership. This conversation is your guide to understanding why trademarks are no longer a legal ‘nice-to-have’. They’re business-critical.

What You’ll Learn:

== Why trademarks are essential assets, not legal extras

== The difference between trademarks, patents, design rights, and copyright

== Common mistakes CEOs make when launching a brand

== Global trademarking strategies for software and digital-first businesses

== When you should trademark, and when you might not need to

Highlights

00:00 Brian’s Journey into Trademarking

03:24 Understanding Trademarks and Intellectual Property

09:53 The Importance of Trademarks in Business

14:32 Trademarking in the Digital and Software Space

19:05 The Trademark Registration Process

24:15 Global Trademark Considerations for Australian Businesses

25:26 Global Thinkers and Thorough Investigations

26:02 Filing Systems and Priority Dates

27:05 Madrid International Filing Application

28:07 Direct Filing System

29:41 Building Confidence in Your Brand

31:13 SEO and Competitor Challenges

36:45 Trademark Enforcement and Counterfeiting

43:24 When to Trademark and When Not To

45:11 #CriticalFewActions™ for Senior Leaders

The #CriticalFewActions™ You Can Do Today

When I work with successful business leaders, I often find they assume registering a business name or domain gives them legal protection. But as Brian Goldberg explains, that assumption can cost you the brand you’ve worked hard to build.

The first Insight is about brand ownership and timing.

Too many CEOs delay trademarking until it's too late.

So, what can you do?

• File your trademark early;’even before launch if possible.
• If you’re exploring international markets, prioritise protection in those countries.
• 
  

The second Insight is about protecting software and digital brands.

Digital-first brands are highly visible, and highly vulnerable.

So, what can you do?

• Treat your brand as an asset, not just a name.
• Protect your app icon, logo, and product name, not just your business name.
• 
  

The third Insight is about investor due diligence.

Brian reveals that investors and partners always ask: “Do you own your brand?”

So, what can you do?

• Use trademark ownership to build trust with stakeholders.
• Ensure your IP is listed clearly in your pitch or investor deck.
• 
  

If you found this conversation valuable, please Subscribe / Follow, leave a comment, and share this episode with your peer business leaders. Your support helps us reach more CEOs who want to improve organisation performance and value.

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https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/

Sponsor: The CEO Masterclass in Strategic Planning and Implementation

Are you a business owner or CEO striving to elevate your business to new heights? But right now… you’re not hitting the targets or objectives your business needs to achieve. Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock you can’t move past (a major challenge with no clear solution) and there’s no one in your world you can talk to about it.

This isn’t another generic leadership course. It’s a highly focused, small-group programme where you’ll work alongside your peers, on your business, break through barriers, and implement real-world strategies; not just to solve the problems holding your business back, but to accelerate your growth faster than you thought possible.

Find out more here:

https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/BrianGoldbergSP

Final Thought

 Your brand may be your most valuable asset. But only if you own it. 

Filing a trademark isn’t a legal checkbox. It’s a strategic move that can increase confidence with customers, investors, and future buyers. Don’t wait until it’s a problem. Start with the basics and protect what you're building.

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