+1.970.776.4355 · Loveland, CO · Russ Krajec, principal Currently accepting Fractional Chief IP Officer engagements →

  • This product is great…for someone else.

    Entrepreneurs are constantly testing out their messaging.  They are constantly pitching to their family and friends, and they are always prepared to pitch to investors.

  • Assignment Due Diligence: Unassigned Assets

    It is heartbreaking to see bad behavior by ‘inventors’ and their startup companies, but it occurs over and over again. Let this lesson be an example of the things you need to check anytime you are doing due diligence on an early stage company.

  • Voice of the Customer

    Our business is to loan money using patents as collateral. My most frequent question:

  • Showing Up and the Green Beans

    At coffee the other day, someone said that showing up on time was the lowest cost, easiest way to get off to a good start. I have always believed in the simple mantra of “show up.”

  • Patent Attorneys Do Not Live with Their Mistakes

    Patent attorneys typically have zero feedback about the quality of their work product. This is an inherent weakness of the whole patent system. The attorneys do not have to live with their mistakes, because patent litigation and patent transactions happen long after their work product has ended.

  • Due Diligence and IP Valuation Webinar

    The Angel Capital Association hosted a webinar on Due Diligence and IP Valuation. In this webinar, I discussed an IP-backed loan for Ivani, who has an extensive IP portfolio.

  • IP-Backed Lending In Asia

    Intellectual property-backed lending, particularly patent-backed lending, has been growing in Asia, particularly China and Korea. Both countries have made extensive efforts to use IP as a business resource for growing their economies. Maybe the US can use part of this playbook?

  • Why You Cannot Hire a Patent Attorney Who Worked for a Competitor

    I talk to countless patent holders, and I often hear that their patent attorney did all this work for a direct competitor before doing their patents. Somehow, the client seems to think this is a good thing.

  • The Problems with Your Patent Attorney Owning Stock in Your Company

    Patent attorneys are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding their clients’ intellectual property. This fiduciary duty requires them to act in the best interest of their clients, providing unbiased and objective legal advice. However, when a patent attorney owns stock in a client’s company, their financial interests conflict with their professional obligations.

  • Patent Attorneys’ Misguided Obsession About Costs

    Patent attorneys work in a bubble that is completely hidden from laypersons, but is an incredibly loud echo chamber. An example is the current obsession and endless handwringing over the USPTO’s DOCX filing requirement.