Intellectual Property News with Richard Gearhart

Richard Gearhart

Stay ahead of the legal curve with Intellectual Property News with Richard Gearhart, a fast-paced segment that breaks down the latest developments in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and emerging tech law. Designed for entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators, this segment translates complex legal updates into clear, actionable insights—helping you protect your ideas, avoid costly mistakes, and spot new opportunities in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Can Your Business Legally Use "World Cup"? The Trademark Rules Explained

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, entrepreneurs and business owners are preparing promotions, watch parties, merchandise, and marketing campaigns—but many don't realize they're stepping into a trademark minefield. In this episode we explain how FIFA protects its valuable intellectual property, what businesses can and cannot legally say in their advertising, the risks of ambush marketing, real trademark disputes involving the World Cup, and practical strategies for promoting your business without inviting cease-and-desist letters. Whether you own a restaurant, bar, retail shop, or startup, this episode will help you avoid costly IP mistakes while taking advantage of one of the world's biggest sporting events. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  2. Jul 16

    The $13 Million Patent Mistake Every Entrepreneur Needs to Avoid

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. A six-page design patent. A $13 million judgment. A permanent ban from the U.S. market. In this episode we break down one of the most significant recent design patent cases and explains why every entrepreneur, startup founder, and product company should pay attention. Learn how a product's visual appearance can become a powerful competitive advantage, why willful patent infringement dramatically increases damages, and what this landmark electric motorcycle lawsuit teaches about protecting designs, intellectual property strategy, and avoiding costly legal mistakes. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  3. Jul 13

    AI Voice Cloning Lawsuits: Can Google Legally Copy Your Voice?

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. Can artificial intelligence legally copy your voice without your permission? In this episode we explore the growing legal battle over AI voice cloning, including lawsuits accusing Google of using journalists' recordings to train AI systems, the landmark Lerman v. Lovo decision, and why current U.S. copyright law offers surprisingly little protection for voices. Learn how AI companies train voice models, what rights creators currently have, the proposed NO FAKES Act, TRAIN Act, and CLEAR Act, and what these developments mean for podcasters, broadcasters, voice actors, journalists, and anyone creating content online. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  4. Jul 2

    The New IP Arms Race: Why China Is Recruiting America’s Top Scientists

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. As brain-computer interfaces move from science fiction to reality, a new intellectual property battle is emerging—one that goes far beyond patents. This episode examines the controversial case of former Harvard scientist Charles Lieber and his reported return to cutting-edge research in China, highlighting how countries are increasingly competing for talent, expertise, and know-how rather than just inventions. Discover why trade secrets, employee knowledge, cybersecurity, and innovation strategy are becoming as valuable as patents in fields like AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, semiconductors, and brain-computer interfaces. Entrepreneurs and innovators will gain valuable insights into protecting their most important asset: what their teams know. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  5. Jun 30

    Did Taylor Swift Really Trademark Her Voice? The Truth Behind the Viral Headlines

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. Taylor Swift made headlines after reports claimed she had trademarked her voice and likeness—but the legal reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, we break down Taylor Swift’s recent trademark filings, explaining what sound marks are, why phrases like “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” can be protected, and what trademark law does—and does not—cover. Learn the difference between branding protection, rights of publicity, AI voice clones, false endorsement claims, and celebrity trademark strategy as we separate fact from clickbait in one of the most talked-about IP stories of the year. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  6. Jun 25

    Who Owns AI-Created Art? Federal Court Says Not the AI

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. Can artificial intelligence own a copyright? In this episode we examine the landmark Stephen Thaler "Creativity Machine" case, where a federal appellate court ruled that AI-generated works created without human involvement are not eligible for copyright protection. Learn why the court concluded that authors must be human, how existing copyright law treats AI as a tool rather than a creator, and what this decision means for artists, innovators, businesses, and the future of AI-generated content. If you're wondering who owns AI-created works and how copyright law is evolving in the age of artificial intelligence, this episode provides the essential legal insights you need. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  7. Jun 23

    Taylor Swift Gets Sued: The Trademark Battle Over “Showgirl” Explained

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. Taylor Swift is usually the one enforcing intellectual property rights—but this time, she's the one being sued. In this episode, we break down the trademark dispute between Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl and entertainer Marin Wade’s long-running Confessions of a Showgirl. Learn why the USPTO initially rejected Swift’s trademark application, how trademark law evaluates consumer confusion, and what this high-profile case could mean for entertainers, brands, and business owners seeking to protect their intellectual property. If you've ever wondered how trademark disputes are decided, this is a fascinating real-world case study. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  8. Jun 18

    Why Apple, Nvidia and Costco Are Worth Billions: The Power of Intellectual Property

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. What makes companies like Apple, Nvidia, Costco, Lilly, and MasterCard worth billions? Surprisingly, it’s not their buildings, equipment, or inventory—it’s their intellectual property and other intangible assets. In this episode we explore why patents, trademarks, copyrights, technology, brand value, and proprietary know-how now account for the vast majority of corporate value. Learn why entrepreneurs must think like inventors, how intellectual property protection creates lasting business assets, and why failing to protect your ideas can put your company's future at risk. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  9. Jun 16

    AI Clones, Deepfakes, and Identity Theft: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. AI clones are rapidly transforming business, content creation, and customer engagement—but who actually owns your digital twin? In this episode we explore the emerging legal questions surrounding AI clones, digital identity, deepfakes, and ownership rights. Learn how AI platforms may use your likeness, voice, personality, and content, the risks of identity theft and unauthorized use, and why entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals should carefully review AI platform terms before creating a digital clone. If you're considering using AI avatars or virtual versions of yourself, this episode offers critical insights into one of the biggest legal and ethical challenges of the AI era. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  10. Jun 12

    Will Your Patent Issue Before You Die? The Surprising Legacy of Late-Life Inventors

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. Did you know your patent application could take years to receive approval—and that some inventors never see their patents issue during their lifetime? In this episode of Intellectual Property News, we explore the surprising reality of patent delays, the remarkable contributions of late-life inventors like John B. Goodenough and Thomas Edison, and how patents can become a lasting legacy that outlives their creators. Learn about age-based expedited examination, Track One prioritized examination, and other strategies that can help inventors speed up the patent process. Whether you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, or lifelong innovator, this episode reveals why it's never too late to invent—and how your ideas can leave a permanent mark on history. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

  11. May 1

    Why Smart Companies Patent MORE in an Economic Downturn (Stellantis Strategy Explained)

    Intellectual Property News, patent law, trademark law, copyright law, AI law, intellectual property strategy, and innovation protection insights with Richard Gearhart. When most companies cut costs during economic uncertainty, some of the smartest businesses do the opposite—investing more aggressively in innovation and patents. In this episode of Intellectual Property News, we break down how Stellantis—the global automotive powerhouse behind Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Fiat—is doubling down on intellectual property despite market pressures. Discover why building a strong patent portfolio during a downturn can create long-term competitive advantages, how innovation cycles continue regardless of the economy, and what entrepreneurs can learn from this bold strategy. If you're building a business or protecting an idea, this episode reveals why now may be the best time to invest in your IP. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to protect, Team at Gearhart Law helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into protected assets. You can visit www.learnmoreaboutpatents.com or www.learnmoreabouttrademarks.com or a free consultation and practical guides to get you started. Richard Gearhart, Esq. is a life sciences intellectual property attorney and Founding Partner of Gearhart Law, LLC, with over 30 years of experience helping pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and health-tech companies protect and commercialize innovation. A trained chemist and former senior in-house IP leader, he advises founders, executives, and investors on patents, trademarks, licensing, and IP strategy aligned with fundraising, regulatory pathways, and long-term enterprise value. As an active angel investor, Richard also brings a unique insider perspective on valuation, risk, and growth—making him a trusted voice at the intersection of innovation, law, and business strategy. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Why Businesses Should Double Down on Innovation and Patents

About

Stay ahead of the legal curve with Intellectual Property News with Richard Gearhart, a fast-paced segment that breaks down the latest developments in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and emerging tech law. Designed for entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators, this segment translates complex legal updates into clear, actionable insights—helping you protect your ideas, avoid costly mistakes, and spot new opportunities in a rapidly evolving business landscape.