Loading...
Answers
MenuMay I apply the term "lean" if I adapt lean startup concepts & apply them outside entrepreneurship w/o infringing on any legal protections of "lean"?
I am exploring application of lean startup principles to a niche industry that has nothing to do with entrepreneurship. In other words, the principles wouldn't be applied to creating a start up, but it would treat an individual as the product/start up and invite individuals to identify their own value proposition for employers or in situations where they need to demonstrate value. Is it okay to call a product developed for this purpose "lean" as in "lean career development"?
Answers
Ries owns 'Lean Startup' trademark. I doubt 'lean' by itself is trademark-able, and isn't claimed by Eric. Someone else may claim 'lean career development,' so might be worth a trademark search.
A combination of words may be trademarked but that does not protect the words individually. "Lean" or "startup." The focus of trademark law is not protecting the creative work of the owner but protecting consumers- preventing the likelihood of confusion with other recognized products on the market.
Whether or not your material would infringe copyright would depend on whether or not you expressed ideas similarly ( not just having similar ideas).
If you have Tm or copyright questions fell free to call me for a consult.
Everyone who has answered is correct so far. The term and principles of "Lean" have existed for a long time. You can also check with the Lean Enterprise Institute (http://www.lean.org/). The term was coined in the late 80's by MIT prof Jim Womack to describe Toyota's process (http://www.lean.org/WhatsLean/)
Related Questions
-
What's considered "Traction" in the B2C app world these days?
Mobile app that has launched: You need ALL of the following: 1) Trending towards or at 100000 installs within first 90 days of launch; 2) Day 30 retention rate of at least 20% 3) Core "MTM" (metric that matters) healthy (dependent on business model, usage model etc) 4) Evidence that growth is just "getting started" with plenty of upside left. Happy to talk more in a call.TW
-
If I come up with a coaching methodology / formula, is it protected under Copyright?
(I'm a small biz attorney who helps people with copyright, trademark, and other IP law, and I'm answering per U.S. law.) As soon as you take your idea and put it into a tangible format (write it down, create an infographic, record a video), then that writing/infographic/video is automatically protected by copyright law. You can record the copyright on it too, which makes it easier to protect and get damages from other people taking it. But the formula itself would be probably protected under trade secret law or patent law. Patent law obviously takes a bit more effort, because you have to apply for the patent and get your application examined by the USPTO, which takes years and $$$. Keeping it protected under trade secret law means you have to make an effort to keep it secret (which may not work if you are disclosing it as part of your marketing efforts), such as keeping it confidential and requiring NDAs. As someone else said, the other terms you use might be protected under trademark law. If a member of the public would use those terms to link your products/services with the source of the product/service (aka, your company), then they could be trademark-able. There are some state law protections for trademarks, and you can also file to register the trademark with the USPTO and get more protection. Hope that gets your started!EP
-
Legally selling transcribed sheet music?
Disclaimer: I'm not an intellectual property attorney - and I am not attempting to, nor qualified to give legal advice. That said - here is what I know on the subject. Copyright was once explained to me as a bundle of sticks, where each stick was a different right. Two sticks that might be important in this situation would be: 1. Distribution Rights: Creating the sheet music in itself may be harmless, but copyright does cover right to distribute - and so your idea to distribute for profit may infringe upon this right. 2. Derivative Works: Copyright also gives the owner the right to create derivative works based on the original - so even if your version is different - it becomes an issue of "how different" - so you may also be infringing on this right. One path forward is to determine who owns these rights (the original artists or label often sell the rights) and license the right to produce and sell the sheet music. My guess is this could be cost and time prohibitive. Another would be to see who is already selling sheet music for these songs - and simply act as an affiliate, taking a portion of the revenues per sale. Consider trying the affiliate route first, to determine how many of these sales you generate from your audience, before going to the trouble of licensing the content etc. I'd be happy to discuss ways that you can validate demand within your population before you do either, and recommend doing so with or without my input. Cheers, RyanRR
-
How can we generate good B2B sales leads?
As your targets are SME companies with 3 or more developers you can use LinkedIn premium search for finding the list of top executives of the companies and send them in-mails for partnership! Another great source for you could be outsourcing websites where US development companies are represented and do testing for their clients periodically for various projects! Please call for more detailed information of the best B2B sources for you! I have got also some availability to the actual lead generation job for you with a reasonable hourly rate. I have been working as a sales manager in this industry for over 4 years and have got large databases of B2B clients that you will be interested in!AA
-
The schools are dispatching school buses to pick up students in AM and drop off in PM. Some students will be absent in AM, in PM parents not home?
My answer will be short: Definitely an app. I'll be more than happy to discuss details further.GS
the startups.com platform
Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.