Rhoades Intellectual Property Law, PLLC

05/27/2026

Thinking about how to monetize your intellectual property?

The USPTO is hosting a virtual panel discussion:
“Licensing your IP: The why, when, and how to get started”
Wednesday, May 27 | 1:00–1:55 p.m. MT

This session is a great opportunity for inventors, startups, and growing businesses to better understand how IP licensing can create value and expand opportunities.

Topics include:
• How IP licensing works
• When licensing makes strategic sense
• What to know when working with Tech Transfer Offices

The panel features experienced voices from the USPTO, Licensing Executives Society, academia, and industry—including representatives from Montana State University.

If you’re exploring ways to leverage your patents or other IP without manufacturing or scaling yourself, this is worth your time.

Register at the link below.

The virtual panel discussion "Licensing your IP: The why, when, and how to get started" will cover why licensing may be an option for your IP and the value it can provide for your business.

05/22/2026

If your customers recognize your product by its design alone, you may have more than just a great product - you may have trade dress.

New Balance is seeking to register the distinctive design of its 574 sneaker with the USPTO (Ser. No. 99140114; https://tsdr.uspto.gov/ =99140114&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch).

The filing includes extensive proof (hundreds of pages) aimed at showing that the shoe’s shape signals New Balance as the source.

This is a reminder that trademarks are not limited to names and logos. In the right case, design + consistent use + strong consumer recognition can become protectable brand assets.

05/08/2026

ATTENTION Small Businesses: Upcoming CBP Webinar Series on Duty Refunds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is offering **free, practical webinars** on how small businesses can request refunds on duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

These sessions will cover:
✔️ How to submit ACE CAPE declarations
✔️ Tracking and processing IEEPA duty refund claims
✔️ Best practices for navigating CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)

📅 **Upcoming Webinar Dates**
• May 13 (11:00 a.m. MT) – IEEPA Duty Refunds. Registration: https://inevent.com/en/WebinarUSCustomsandBorderProtection-1739306113/IEEPADutyRefundsforSmallBusinesses051326/hotsite.php
• May 20 (11:00 a.m. MT) – IEEPA Duty Refunds. Registration https://inevent.com/en/WebinarUSCustomsandBorderProtection-1739306113/IEEPADutyRefundsforSmallBusinesses052026/hotsite.php
• May 21 (11:00 a.m. MT) – ACE Reports for CAPE Claims. Registration https://inevent.com/en/WebinarUSCustomsandBorderProtection-1739306113/ACEReportsforCAPEClaims/hotsite.php

👉 **Seats are limited and entry is first-come, first-served:**

After the live event, these and other previously recorded webinars will be available for replay at Trade Outreach Webinars | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov): https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/webinars

Securing America's Borders

05/05/2026

Join the USPTO for the next session in the virtual series "Successful Inventing 2026" on Wednesday, May 13th from 5-6:30 p.m. Mountain.

During each virtual session, participants will hear experts discuss intellectual property, prototypes, licensing, funding, and more. The next installment will focus on licensing your product or concept and cover the following discussion topics:

-Should I license or manufacture?
-What is in a royalty and how does it work?
-What do companies expect to see from inventors?
-Which companies should I approach and why?
-How do I negotiate a license?

You can REGISTER HERE:

During each virtual session, participants will hear experts discuss topics that include intellectual property, creating a prototype, licensing, funding, and more.

04/08/2026

Register for the next installment of Successful Inventing 2026! Next Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain you will learn about legal protection and early-stage funding...

During each virtual session, participants will hear experts discuss topics that include intellectual property, creating a prototype, licensing, funding, and more.