Understanding IP Matters

Hosted by The Center For Intellectual Property Understanding

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May 2026

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About the show

‘Understanding IP Matters,’ is a popular podcast series that enables successful entrepreneurs, inventors, content creators, executives and experts to share their IP story - the good, bad and amazing. The series is brought to you by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding, an independent non-profit established in 2016. CIPU provides outreach to improve IP awareness, enhance value and promote sharing. www.understandingip.org

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55 recent

May 12, 2026Episode 1135 min

A Leader in the $370B Character Licensing Boom

Send us Fan Mail Character licensing is a $370 billion global industry — and most people have never heard of it. Bruce Berman sits down with David Born, CEO of Born Licensing and one of the world's leading experts in character and IP licensing for advertising. From placing Buddy the Elf in a UK supermarket ad to helping Geico license Angry Birds, David breaks down how brands use intellectual property to create instant emotional recognition in marketing campaigns. He explains how licensing deals are structured and valued, how licensors protect their brands from overexposure, and why smaller or emerging characters can actually offer better ROI than the hottest properties. David also shares how he built Born Licensing into one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe without any formal legal training — and why he thinks licensing is the most underrated business skill in the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Character licensing is a $370 billion global industry that most consumers interact with daily without realizing it. Brands license IP in advertising through multiple methods — placing characters in ads, using existing footage, recreating iconic scenes, or rotoscoping characters from original films. Licensing fees are determined by scope: territory, term, media channels, and usage type all factor into the final value of a deal. Top-tier licensors like Disney and Marvel are extremely selective about who they work with — protecting brand equity is a higher priority than volume of deals. Lesser-known or dormant characters can offer better commercial terms and faster approval processes, making them attractive for companies new to licensing. David Born built Born Licensing into an FT 1000 fastest-growing European company by filling a gap no one else was serving: helping ad agencies navigate IP licensing. Consumers will pay more for licensed products — the brand association adds perceived premium value that can offset royalty costs. AI presents both opportunities and challenges for the licensing world, with major licensors still uncertain about how to embrace it without compromising IP protection. Without formal legal training, David relies on deep industry experience, strong licensor relationships, and his lawyer sister for more complex legal questions. The best measure of a successful licensing campaign is authentic fan response — when fans love seeing their character used well, it's a win for everyone. Learn more about CIPU: understandingip.org Born Licensing: bornlicensing.com Born to License Podcast: Search "Born to License" on your podcast app Understanding IP Matters is produced by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU). Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. 00:00 - Introduction & guest welcome 02:13 - How character licensing entered David's life 04:33 - Who listens to Understanding IP Matters 05:15 - Types of IP licensing in advertising 07:05 - How licensing deals are valued 08:35 - Geico x Angry Birds case study 09:08 - Measuring campaign success 11:07 - Born Licensing's two business divisions 12:39 - Major vs. lesser-known characters 15:22 - Brand equity and saying no to deals 17:29 - Operating without a legal background 19:15 - Compensation and equity structures 20:11 - FT 1000 fastest-growing company recognition 21:39 - Filtering opportunities for licensors 22:59 - Born to License podcast 24:44 - Lessons for tech and content licensing 25:29 - The cost and value of licensing 27:40 - AI and the future of character licensing 31:31 - Content authenticity and IP tracking 32:32 - David's first awareness of IP 33:50 - Final thoughts for listeners Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

March 31, 2026Episode 1046 min

How the University of Kentucky is Building AI-Forward Culture and Driving Economic Impact

Send us Fan Mail Protecting intellectual property at a university should come before sharing it Ian McClure, Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Kentucky, makes the case that intellectual property isn't a barrier to innovation — it's the scaffolding that makes innovation possible. In a wide-ranging conversation with host Bruce Berman, Ian discusses how UK is leading a $200 million AI transformation strategy, why spinning out startups generates 50% more local economic impact than publishing alone, and how universities must evolve their promotion and tenure systems to truly reward innovation. Drawing on his background in M&A law, IP transactions, and his tenure as president of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), Ian brings a rare combination of legal, commercial, and academic expertise to every topic — from the ethics of AI adoption to the practical challenge of getting researchers to file a provisional patent before they publish. Key Takeaways Spinning out a startup from university research generates 50% more local economic impact than publishing alone without IP protection. The value of intellectual property exists if — and only to the extent — it is enforceable. Willingness to enforce matters as much as the scope of the patent. Universities are uniquely positioned to study AI adoption because they host every level of sophistication, from first-generation students to decades-experienced AI researchers. UK's Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI) is a $200 million, three-to-five-year holistic framework for preparing an entire institution for the AI era. Startup IP strategy is central to tech transfer: IP protection attracts outside capital, creates jobs, and keeps economic benefits local. The promotion and tenure system at most universities still biases researchers toward publication over patenting — and changing those incentives is a major needle-mover. AI is accelerating the pace of drug discovery and research, compressing timelines that once took years into months. IP is the necessary governance layer that enables responsible AI innovation without stifling it the way premature over-regulation might. Universities must balance curiosity-driven basic research with use-inspired research that responds to state and industry needs. Fear of AI is valid and must be acknowledged — but institutions need structured, flexible frameworks to help every stakeholder move forward. 00:00 Introduction & opening quote 02:06 Ian's role at University of Kentucky 02:34 Challenges of AI adoption at a research university 05:30 The CATS AI strategy: origins and scope 08:00 How UK measures success across the institution 11:54 Addressing fear and resistance around AI 13:44 IP challenges at the intersection of AI and research 17:43 Licensing AI tools and IP as innovation scaffolding 21:42 UK's Microsoft Copilot partnership explained 22:09 Choosing an enterprise AI partner 25:38 Key concerns for tech transfer executives today 28:27 The case for university spin-outs 31:15 Why researchers resist filing patents before publishing 32:26 Reforming promotion and tenure to reward innovation 35:47 Enforceability: the mantra Ian teaches in law school 38:16 Balancing basic research with industry-responsive research 41:25 Ian's first encounter with IP: a merger that fell apart 43:31 Final thoughts: IP, AI, and embracing the transformation era Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

March 3, 2026Episode 946 min

Scaling IP Benefits: Tencent, the White House, and AI

Send us Fan Mail Danny Marti has navigated IP from the Obama White House to the boardrooms of some of the world's most powerful companies. As President Obama's intellectual property enforcement coordinator — the so-called "IP czar" — Danny helped shape a whole-of-government approach to IP strategy. Today, as Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent, he oversees IP protection for the world's largest trademark filer and one of the top holders of AI patents globally. This conversation covers Tencent's remarkable transformation of music piracy in China, how the company built Weixin's crowdsourced IP enforcement platform, and why understanding the problem before reaching for a solution is the most underrated skill in IP — or any other field. Key Takeaways: Tencent is the world's largest trademark filer, operating a truly global portfolio across dozens of countries and product categories. China's music piracy rate dropped from roughly 97% to 2-3% in under a decade, driven largely by Tencent's investment in licensed streaming and aggressive enforcement. The Weixin Brand Protection Platform (Weishen) allows any user — not just rights holders — to report IP infringement, crowdsourcing enforcement at scale. Danny's time as IP czar centered on a whole-of-government IP strategy, coordinating more than a dozen departments, offices, and agencies. Tencent holds among the largest portfolios of AI patents of any company globally and is shifting focus toward agentic AI beyond generative models. Global video game development requires deep localization — culture, color, humor, and gameplay mechanics all vary significantly by region. IP laws have historically proven resilient in adapting to new technologies, but the speed and scale of AI may test that resilience in new ways. Existing copyright and trademark frameworks still apply meaningfully in the AI era; new regulation may be needed but isn't inevitable. Danny's IP origin story began as a poetry fellow and intern at the USPTO — a reminder that IP touches creative fields from the start. The core lesson Danny carries from the Situation Room: spend time understanding the full scope of a problem before proposing solutions. Subscribe on your platform of choice or email us at explore@understandingip.org. Content provided is for informational purposes only and does not represent the views of CIPU or its affiliates. 00:00 - Cold open: The Situation Room and IP 01:32 - Why Tencent isn't a US household name 05:35 - Danny's role and Tencent's IP portfolio 07:00 - Largest trademark filer in the world 08:30 - Tencent's AI patent strategy 10:55 - Copyright evolution in China 12:00 - Music piracy transformation 14:10 - Life as the Obama White House IP czar 17:59 - Whole-of-government IP strategy 21:01 - Government to global industry 22:35 - IP challenges at RELX and LexisNexis 27:21 - Protecting value-added content 28:33 - Global gaming and localization 32:33 - The Weixin Brand Protection Platform 35:07 - Why users self-report IP violations 37:51 - Agentic AI and the future of IP law 39:16 - Will AI require new regulation? 41:53 - Danny's IP origin story 44:13 - Understand the problem first Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

February 17, 2026Episode 843 min

Greenhouses for Innovation: Balancing Patent Rights and Public Good with Laura Peter

Send us Fan Mail Laura Peters provides rare perspective to intellectual property awareness, having served as Deputy Director at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under Andre Iancu before becoming Executive Director of Research at UNC Charlotte. She tackles persistent misconceptions about patents in university settings, where publication incentives often overshadow commercialization opportunities. Peters explains how patents function as temporary greenhouses for innovators—protecting ideas for 20 years before releasing them to public knowledge. Her work focuses on helping researchers understand that intellectual property extends far beyond patents and that securing rights doesn't conflict with open knowledge principles. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Universities reward publications over patents, creating commercialization barriers Researchers often conflate all IP rights with patents, missing broader protections Open knowledge advocates can still benefit from patent rights and public dedication Patents publish after 18 months, contributing to collective innovation knowledge Trade secrets are rising as patent uncertainty increases in AI and other sectors Subject matter eligibility reforms could strengthen innovation protection University culture change requires extensive education and community building Patents preserve innovator legacy across global innovation records Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

February 3, 2026Episode 741 min

AI and IP Law, A Cautious Embrace

Send us Fan Mail Wayne Stacy brings a unique perspective from his role as executive director of Berkeley Center for Law and Technology. From his early days as a patent litigator to directing the Silicon Valley USPTO office and earning a Fulbright to work in Nepal, Wayne has witnessed dramatic changes in how technology affects legal practice. This conversation explores how AI is transforming legal education, the evolution of patent litigation costs, and why future lawyers need different skills than previous generations. Key Takeaways: AI enables lawyers to focus on higher-value work by automating routine tasks Legal education must teach AI integration rather than AI avoidance Cross-disciplinary collaboration between law and engineering drives innovation policy Future lawyers need policy development skills alongside traditional legal training Berkeley's position in Silicon Valley creates unique opportunities for public discussions Entry-level lawyers must scale up capabilities to remain relevant in AI era Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

January 14, 2026Episode 647 min

Capital Can Transform Invention Rights

Send us Fan Mail Why do many businesses prefer lawsuits over licensing deals — and what does IP capital mean for innovation? Phil Hartstein, co-founder of Soryn IP Capital and former CEO of Finjan Holdings, shares insights from orchestrating almost $500 million in licensing deals. He explains why patent licensing has shifted from corporate boardrooms to courtrooms, and discusses the economics of patent enforcement, the role of litigation finance in supporting legitimate innovators, and how AI is transforming IP strategy. Phil reveals what makes patents valuable, why most portfolios contain only single-digit percentages of enforceable assets, and his perspective on patent monetization as a strategic responsibility rather than defensive last resort. Key Takeaways: Most patent portfolios derive value from only single-digit percentages of total assets Corporate defendants now manage 50-100 active patent lawsuits simultaneously Patent litigation costs range from $2-20+ million and take 3-5+ years to resolve Licensing discussions once happened in boardrooms over 9-12 month periods Modern product cycles compress multiple technology clusters into shorter timeframes IP capital helps innovators compete against well-funded corporate defendants AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming patent analysis and claim construction workflows Patent monetization strengthens both business balance sheets and the broader innovation ecosystem The U.S. patent system's constitutional foundation drives American technology development Strategic patent enforcement requires demonstrating credibility, capability, and resources About the Guest: Phil Hartstein is a technology investor, inventor, and intellectual property strategist. He co-founded Soryn IP Capital and previously served as CEO of Finjan Holdings, a public company now owned by Fortress. At Finjen, he oversaw licensing and enforcement of pioneering cybersecurity patents, orchestrating more than $300 million in licensing deals. Phil holds more than two dozen pending and issued patents and has been twice recognized as a top 40 IP dealmaker. 00:00 - Introduction to Phil Hartstein 01:44 - Why companies prefer lawsuits to licenses 03:03 - Boardroom licensing era vs today 04:16 - Soryn IP Capital's role in leveling field 06:35 - Corporate litigation dockets explained 08:47 - Patent lawsuit economics and timelines 10:23 - Funding plaintiffs vs bad actors debate 13:10 - Making capital available for innovators 15:36 - Patent quality and portfolio value 18:07 - Supreme Court's Unwired Planet decision 20:16 - The Alice decision's ongoing impact 23:40 - Patent valuation and market adoption 26:25 - PTAB's role in patent examination 29:14 - Working with litigation finance 31:40 - Evaluating patent portfolio strength 34:22 - International IP enforcement landscape 37:08 - Germany's patent system advantages 39:30 - AI's impact on patent prosecution 42:42 - Racing vintage cars as analog escape 44:40 - Patent monetization as strategic duty Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

December 10, 2025Episode 545 min

3-D Chess: AI's Race for Market Share and IP Supremacy

Send us Fan Mail Allison Gaul, senior counsel at BCG-X, an invention development and commercialization company, discusses the evolving AI landscape, where intellectual awareness meets real-world strategy. As both a former patent examiner and litigator with a Harvard graduate degree in business analytics, she offers insider perspectives on how companies secure IP rights, why investors now prioritize AI risk policies, and how open source licensing drives market adoption. The conversation explores copyrighted training data challenges, how small learning models compete with foundational LLMs, and why publicly available doesn't mean free to use. Gaul shares practical IP protection strategies for startups and established companies navigating content attribution, energy-efficient blockchain solutions, and the misconceptions engineers hold about software patents. Key Takeaways: • Small, targeted-use models (SLMs) trained on specific datasets are gaining traction because of their relevance and efficiency • Investors are now scrutinizing AI startup' risk and compliance policies more carefully • Open source licensing has become a significant tool for capturing market share • Publicly available content is not automatically free to use; not all LLMs ascribe to this • Blockchain offers potentially reliable solutions for IP tracking despite energy concerns • IP and AI strategy require balancing innovation with responsible ethics • Gen AI adoption began with easy productivity wins across industries • Businesses that are mindful of AI risk are in a better position to attract capital Subscribe to Understanding IP Matters on your preferred platform or visit understandingip.org for more episodes exploring intellectual property with leading innovators and experts. 00:00 - Introduction to Allison Gaul 01:07 - AI race and investor expectations 02:36 - Risk policies investors demand 03:01 - How companies leverage Gen AI 04:21 - Working with foundational model providers 05:34 - Day in the life of a product attorney 06:40 - Multi-dimensional AI competition 08:34 - Open source as market strategy 09:10 - Small learning models vs LLMs 11:02 - Copyright challenges in AI training 13:29 - Content attribution and data rights 15:41 - Licensing deals and fair use debate 17:34 - Legal frameworks catching up 19:20 - Transparency in AI systems 21:25 - Attribution standards discussion 23:38 - Geographic variations in AI law 25:44 - EU regulations and global impact 27:50 - Cross-border compliance challenges 29:33 - Energy concerns in AI development 31:18 - IP education for engineers 33:11 - Patents in software development 35:27 - Ethical IP strategy and responsibility 37:54 - Patent troll misconceptions 39:50 - Attribution vs permission clarified 40:54 - Blockchain solutions and limitations 42:08 - First exposure to IP rights Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

November 19, 2025Episode 442 min

Man of 1000 Faces: The Renaissance Journey of Eric Bear

Send us Fan Mail When creativity meets intellectual property, innovation has no boundaries. Eric Bear has licensed intellectual property to all major U.S. studios and Fortune 500 companies while maintaining a successful acting career. With over 100 patents covering software and video technology, Eric's seamless expansion invention was popularized by The Matrix and licensed to Disney, Fox, and other major studios. This conversation explores how he balances roles as inventor, entrepreneur, actor, and university professor while navigating patent litigation and startup IP protection. Discover how unconventional career paths can drive business trademark protection and commercial success. Key Takeaways: How Eric licensed technology to all major Hollywood studios The connection between acting, invention, and entrepreneurial thinking Navigating patent litigation while maintaining creative pursuits Building companies around intellectual property course principles The role of performance capture technology in modern filmmaking Protecting IP rights while collaborating with Fortune 500 companies Career advice for young creators balancing art and business How AI impacts creative industries and performer rights The importance of following passion over financial incentives Screen Actors Guild protections for digital likeness rights Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

November 5, 2025Episode 340 min

Copyright Piracy Costs America up to $71 Billion: Hollywood Producer Ruth Vitale Speaks Out

Send us Fan Mail Ruth Vitale, Oscar-winning producer and CEO of Creative Future, reveals the devastating impact of copyright piracy on America's entertainment workforce. Piracy costs the economy up to $71 billion annually and threatens 560,000 jobs across film and television. Ruth explains how small business IP protection matters for the 122,000 companies serving Hollywood, why copyright law basics must evolve for the digital age, and what IP protection strategies could save the industry. From malware risks on pirate sites to AI's threat to actor rights, this conversation exposes hard truths about intellectual property education and the urgent need for site blocking legislation. Key Takeaways: Piracy costs the US economy between $29 to 71 billion annually Film and television employ 2.3 million Americans (down from 2.7 million) 92% of entertainment businesses employ fewer than 10 people Google receives 58 million takedown requests weekly—yet pirate sites flourish 60 countries have site blocking laws; the US does not Visiting pirate sites carries a 30%+ risk of downloading malware Movie theaters keep 50% of box office revenue Average entertainment industry salary: $141,000 vs $94,000 nationally Independent filmmakers finance projects with credit cards, can lose everything to piracy AI companies train models on copyrighted content without permission Listen to discover how intellectual property course advocates like Ruth are fighting to protect creative workers and why copyright training matters for every entrepreneur. Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org

October 22, 2025Episode 247 min

AI Adoption Moves At The Speed of Trust

Send us Fan Mail Award-winning educator and IP advocate Daryl Lim joins Bruce Berman to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property education. Broadcasting from Singapore, Daryl shares his global perspective on how AI is reshaping IP frameworks, from the $1.5 billion Anthropic settlement to the emergence of new data rights. This conversation examines IP leadership challenges, the role of blockchain in patent processes, and why marginalized communities need better access to intellectual property protection. Daryl discusses China's rapid IP development, the importance of equity by design in technology governance, and practical startup IP strategies for navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Key Takeaways: AI and IP rights are fundamentally interconnected and evolving together The $1.5 billion Anthropic case settlement sets precedent at $3,000 per book IP leadership requires moving ahead of trends, not following them China has transformed from IP pirate nation to major player in 20 years Blockchain technology can reduce friction in IP transactions Universities became IP believers after the Bayh-Dole Act enabled monetization Content creators must embrace technology as ally, not enemy Government frameworks should align AI development with societal values Patent education and copyright training need to be more inclusive Small creators need better tools to participate in large-scale licensing Support the show Understanding IP Matters is brought to you by the nonprofit Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with generous support from its partners and sponsors. The podcast provides leading innovators and experts the space to share their IP stories. Subscribe on your platform of choice or visit understandingip.org. To reach us: explore@understandingip.org