Trade Secrets & Trademarks (and the Costly Mistakes Founders Make)

Many founders don’t think about IP until an investor asks, a competitor copies a key advantage, or a product launch runs into a naming conflict. In this webinar, we’ll demystify trade secrets and trademarks—what they protect, how they work, and how they fit into a startup’s strategy at different stages. You’ll learn how trade secrets can cover valuable confidential know-how (like methods, processes, data, algorithms, pricing, and customer insights), what it takes to maintain protection over time, and lightweight practices founders can implement early—NDAs, access controls, documentation, and team norms—without slowing execution. We’ll also break down trademarks from a founder’s perspective: selecting a strong name, conducting smart clearance before you invest in branding, understanding classes and “use in commerce,” and building a defensible brand as you expand products and markets. Expect practical guidance, common founder pitfalls, and a clear action checklist to help you protect your competitive edge while scaling with confidence.

Presenter: Alfonso Garcia Chan, Partner, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, a trial lawyer who focuses on litigating and licensing complex intellectual property cases on behalf of universities, research institutes, and technology companies.