Litigation partner Bentley Harris in Austin recently authored an article for the Austin Chamber titled, "Intellectual Property Rules You Make on Day One Can Save You Future Pain." In the article, Harris shares that in her experience, employers sometimes shy away from telling employees and contractors the cold hard facts of proprietary ideas, trademarks, branding initiatives, logos, and the like. It's generally better, she counsels, to address the situation before it ever erupts. In the case of intellectual property, it can be very simple to protect yourself and your business—if you do it right.
"Good instructions and warnings for employees or contractors, in writing and orally, will help prevent a whole bevy of problems, at the perfect time—before they ever occur."