Don’t Make Walt Disney’s Million Dollar Mistake | Protect Your Brand’s IP, Trademark Your Business! ft. Andrei Mincov

Mickey Mouse wasn’t a million dollar idea— until it was. Walt Disney’s early career almost crumbled due to a costly mistake: he failed to trademark his first successful character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Created in 1927, Oswald quickly gained popularity, but a contractual oversight led Disney to lose the rights to his own creation.

This setback became a turning point, motivating Disney to create Mickey Mouse, which ultimately launched his global empire. In 2006, Disney regained the rights to Oswald, bringing his early story full circle.

So, what does this mean for your business?

Your ideas, or Intellectual Property (IP), need to be protected. Like Walt, you never know when your next business idea will be your million dollar ticket to success.
Trademarks are an aspect of business that entrepreneurs don’t consider as seriously as they should. Trademarking your brand not only builds strong brand identity, it also prevents other people from claiming your brand as their own. 👀

Is your business protected? Does your business need to be trademarked? YES! Let’s explore why, how, when, and everything in between.

In this episode of Bippity Boppity Business, we’re joined by Andrei Mincov, a copyright and IP lawyer turned Founder & CEO of Trademark Factory. Andrei helps growth-minded entrepreneurs turn their dreams, hopes, and pride around their brands into certainty - helping them trademark their company names, taglines, logos, and the names of their products and services.

If you want to learn more about what makes intellectual property so magical and essential to your business success, this one’s for you! ✨And don’t miss our “Disney Rapid Fire Round” to hear what Andrei would ask Walt Disney on a coffee date. ☕

In this episode, Andrei and Rita discuss:

• Business is Personal: Andrei shares how experiencing his father’s music being stolen by Samsung fueled his passion and empathy for helping others.
• Persistence Will Lead to Success: The ability to try your hardest to build something great is the foundation of a successful business.
• IP is KEY: Why your brand doesn’t exist unless you legally own the rights to it.
• When to Trademark Your Brand: Andrei reveals the easiest and best time to trademark your business + Disney and Apple stories to prove it.
• Steps to Trademarking Your Brand: The first steps you should take to establish and protect your business(es).
• What Can/Should I Trademark?: 3 questions to ask yourself to figure it out!
• PLUS: How many trademarks does Disney have?

Magical Resources:

• Watch/Listen to Rita’s Hawaii episode: https://bit.ly/47UWJcI
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194

Tune in to every conversation about making magic in business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google! Leave a rating and review so we can keep making magic!

Do you wish to connect with our special guests?

• Visit Andrei’s website: https://trademarkfactory.com
• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreimincov
• Subscribe & learn more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trademarkfactory

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Connect with Rita:

Visit her website: https://bippityboppitybiz.com

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ritaricha

Do you have a podcast you want to create, rebrand, or grow? Discover Rita’s podcast consulting company Reignite Media at https://reignitemedia.onepage.me.

Bippity Boppity Business is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or brand. The content of this podcast is meant for educational purposes. Guests featured in Bippity Boppity Business are voicing personal thoughts and opinions and are not directly representing the Walt Disney World Company or brand.