Welcome to Securing Your Brand, the podcast where Holly McFall and Melissa Jeda from SecureMark Legal discuss trademarks, copyrights, and intellectual property. Hosted by Matt Sky, each episode unpacks the complexities of IP law, offering insights and guidance to help you protect your brand and creative works.

Securing Your Brand
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to Securing Your Brand, the podcast where Holly McFall and Melissa Jeda from SecureMark Legal discuss trademarks, copyrights, and intellectual property. Hosted by Matt Sky, each episode unpacks the complexities of IP law, offering insights and guidance to help you protect your brand and creative works.
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Publishing Since
8/14/2024
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Recent Episodes

October 21, 2025
The Patent Timing Rules for Product Founders to Avoid Losing Global Protection with Jeff Holman
<p>In this episode of Securing Your Brand with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/securemark-legal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>SecureMark Legal</strong></a>, hosts <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Holly McFall</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Melissa Jeda</strong></a> explore the patent side of intellectual property protection with guest <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Jeff Holman</strong></a>, a seasoned patent attorney and engineer. While the show typically centers on trademarks, this episode highlights how patents both utility and design, play a critical role in protecting inventions, product designs, and innovations, especially for entrepreneurs selling physical products.</p><p>Jeff walks listeners through the layers of patent protection, how to avoid costly mistakes (like public disclosures), and what small businesses need to know about protecting their ideas domestically and internationally. With real-world examples and strategic insights, this episode is a must-listen for inventors and entrepreneurs alike.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Expect to Learn:</strong></p><ul><li>The differences between utility, design, and plant patents and which ones most entrepreneurs need.</li><li>Why a provisional patent application is often the best starting point for new inventors.</li><li>How public disclosure can destroy your chances of getting a patent in many countries.</li><li>Smart strategies for international patent filing based on where you sell and manufacture.</li><li>How design elements like packaging, shapes, and product styling can be patent-protected.</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><h3>Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:</h3><ul><li>[00:00] – Teaser</li><li>[00:55] – Introduction to Secure Your Brand</li><li>[01:19] – Guest Introduction: Jeff Holman</li><li>[02:19] – Understanding Utility, Design, and Plant Patents</li><li>[04:04] – The Timeline and Duration of Patents vs. Trademarks</li><li>[06:25] – Provisional vs. Non-Provisional Patents</li><li>[09:49] – The Importance of Market Strategy and Amazon Considerations</li><li>[13:55] – Strategic Patent Filing Considerations</li><li>[16:56] – Public Disclosure and Patent Pending Status</li><li>[22:25] – The Timing of Filing Patents and Protecting Ideas</li><li>[28:25] – Common Misconceptions About Patents</li><li>[33:59] – The Role of Design Patents in Business Protection</li><li>[41:53] – The Utility of Packaging and Trade Dress Protection</li><li>[45:48] – Final Thoughts on Patents, Trademarks, and Business Protection</li><li>[47:21] – Closing Remarks and Call to Action</li><li>[48:19] – Legal Disclaimer and Copyright Notice</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><h3>Connect with Jeff Holman</h3><ul><li>Website: <a href="https://intellectualstrategies.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://intellectualstrategies.com</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Holly McFall</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/</a></li><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatorlaw19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.instagram.com/gatorlaw19/</a></li><li>Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/holly.mcfall" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/holly.mcfall</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Melissa Jeda</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">...

October 7, 2025
How Entrepreneurs Can Launch a Franchise Without Experience and Scale to Millions with Max Emma
<p>In this episode of Securing Your Brand, with <a href="https://securemarklegal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>SecureMark Legal</strong></a>, hosts <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Holly McFall</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Melissa Jeda</strong></a> take a closer look into the world of franchising, entrepreneurship, and brand protection with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Max Emma</strong></a>, a seasoned franchise executive and serial entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience, Max shares his remarkable story from immigrating to the U.S. with limited English to becoming the CEO of three companies and a leading figure in franchise consulting.</p><p>Whether you're a startup founder, a service-based entrepreneur, or a business owner considering franchising your company, this episode is packed with practical advice, powerful insights, and hard-earned lessons on building and scaling a sustainable brand through franchising.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Expect to Learn:</strong></p><ul><li>Why franchising isn’t for everyone and how to know if it’s right for you</li><li>What makes a business franchisable and the biggest misconceptions about franchise ownership</li><li>How Max overcame bankruptcy and rebuilt a profitable, scalable business</li><li>Why a strong brand manual and trademark are critical to franchise success</li><li>How to delegate, scale, and lead effectively without micromanaging</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[00:00]</strong> - Introduction to Franchise Choices and Accounting Fit</li><li><strong>[01:03]</strong> - Guest Introduction: Max Emma’s Story</li><li><strong>[02:36]</strong> - Early Struggles, Bankruptcy, and Resilience</li><li><strong>[03:59]</strong> - Why Franchising Provides a Proven Business Model</li><li><strong>[06:05]</strong> - Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Own a Franchise</li><li><strong>[07:00]</strong> - Misconceptions About Franchise Ownership</li><li><strong>[09:52]</strong> - Protecting Brand Identity and Trademarks</li><li><strong>[14:48]</strong> - Advice for First-Time Franchise Buyers</li><li><strong>[18:47]</strong> - What Makes a Business Franchisable</li><li><strong>[22:17]</strong> - Challenges of Franchising and Brand Manuals</li><li><strong>[28:34]</strong> - Leadership Growth: From Micromanaging to Delegating</li><li><strong>[32:45]</strong> - Advice to Entrepreneurs and Younger Self</li><li><strong>[36:07]</strong> - Closing Thoughts, Connections, and Legal Disclaimer</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Max Emma:</strong></p><ul><li>Website: <a href="https://franchisewithmax.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://franchisewithmax.com</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma/</a></li><li>Company’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/booxkeepingfranchise/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/booxkeepingfranchise/</a></li><li>Company’s 2nd LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookkeepingzoom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookkeepingzoom/</a></li><li>Company’s 3rd LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/booxkeeping/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/booxkeeping/</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Holly McFall:</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/</a></li><li>Instagram: <a...

September 23, 2025
The Trademark Secrets for Founders to Avoid USPTO Refusals with Letters, Numbers, and Symbols
<p>In this episode of Securing Your Brand with <a href="https://securemarklegal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SecureMark Legal</a>, hosts <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Holly McFall</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Melissa Jeda</strong></a> dive into the intricacies of designing creative brand names using letters, numbers, and symbols. They explore how the <strong>USPTO</strong> (United States Patent and Trademark Office) assesses these creative marks and what makes a brand confusingly similar to existing trademarks. The hosts highlight the importance of considering not just the visual appearance of a brand but also how it sounds, and how certain creative tweaks can still lead to potential trademark conflicts.</p><p>While there are no external guests in this episode, the hosts <strong>Holly McFall</strong> and <strong>Melissa Jeda,</strong> bring their expertise to discuss the complexities of trademark law, specifically focusing on how creative branding strategies can sometimes result in confusingly similar trademarks. Holly McFall is an expert in brand protection and legal strategies, while Melissa Jedda is a seasoned trademark attorney.</p><h3><br></h3><h3> Expect to Learn:</h3><ul><li>How creative uses of letters, numbers, and symbols impact trademark registration.</li><li>The importance of considering not only the visual elements of your brand but also its phonetics (how it sounds) and its possible meanings.</li><li>What constitutes "confusingly similar" trademarks and how the USPTO evaluates brand names.</li><li>The role of foreign translations and phonetic variations in trademark searches.</li><li>Why a comprehensive trademark search is essential before finalizing your brand name.</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><h3> Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:</h3><ul><li>[00:00] - Introduction to Brand Name Considerations</li><li>[01:03] - Host Introductions and Episode Overview</li><li>[01:31] - Creative Use of Letters, Numbers, and Symbols in Branding</li><li>[02:47] - Sound Similarity and Confusion in Brand Names</li><li>[03:20] - Example of Translating Brand Names into Foreign Languages</li><li>[04:47] - Practical Example: Using the Number “8” in Brand Names</li><li>[06:07] - Creative Adjustments: Using French Translations in Brand Names</li><li>[07:36] - Why Different Versions of a Brand Name Matter</li><li>[08:12] - Understanding Goods and Services in Trademark Considerations</li><li>[10:00] - Key Takeaways: Phonetic, Visual, and Translation Considerations in Trademark Searches</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Holly McFall</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymcfall/</a></li><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatorlaw19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.instagram.com/gatorlaw19/</a></li><li>Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/holly.mcfall" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/holly.mcfall</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Melissa Jeda</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jeda-29108813b/</a></li><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mhjeda/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.instagram.com/mhjeda/</a></li><li>Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/alizajeda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/alizajeda</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with SecureMark Legal</strong></p><ul><li>Website:<a href="https://securemarklegal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">...
21 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Securing Your Brand?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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