FAQ FRIDAY: What happens to a patent when the inventor passes away? Not to worry - the patent doesn’t die with them! If the inventor owns it, it can become part of their estate and pass to heirs. If it was assigned to a company or other party, ownership generally stays there.

For companies preparing to raise capital, a strong IP portfolio can make a difference. MVS Partner Jill Link explains how involving IP counsel early can help identify issues, strengthen your IP position, and prepare for investor diligence. filewrapper.com/strengthenin…

It’s Cy-Hawk week, and Iowa is seeing red, yellow, black and gold. ❤️💛🖤 No logo required. That’s what happens when a brand becomes instantly recognizable. Strong brands create powerful associations, and those associations are worth protecting. Which colors are you wearing?🏈

🐶 Happy National Dog Day! From Nipper (RCA) to Bullseye (Target) to Drake University’s Griff, dogs can become powerful brand identifiers and even be protected under trademark law. Now we want to meet yours! 📸 If your dog were a brand mascot, what would they represent?

Last week, MVS attorneys joined the 39 North Plant Science Family Reunion. We’re proud to work with companies, universities & researchers throughout the region to protect their IP, support commercialization, and help turn ideas into opportunities for growth and investment.

A federal trademark registration is just the beginning. MVS Attorney Christine Lebron-Dykeman examines a Seventh Circuit decision involving PIZZA PUFF® and shares 3 lessons: choose a strong mark, use it consistently, and monitor the marketplace. tinyurl.com/4d776cah

🎡 When you walk through the fair, what do you see? An IP attorney sees patented ride technology, trademarked brands, copyrighted art and music, trade-secret recipes, and agricultural innovation. IP is everywhere—even at the fair! 🎠🌽

New on MVS Filewrapper: What does Dental Monitoring SAS v. Align Technology, Inc. mean for provisional applications and prior art dates? MVS Patent Agent Monica Nagpal breaks down the Federal Circuit’s decision & its implications for patent practitioners. tinyurl.com/mryekseu

MVS is proud to sponsor today's Virtual Made in Iowa – Manufacturing Forecast, presented by @BusinessRecord. MVS attorney Julie Spieker kicked off the program, highlighting how intellectual property protects the innovations driving Iowa manufacturing.

Every iconic brand started with the same challenge: being recognized. Trademarks help consumers identify the products they know and trust, which is built through consistency and quality. As students head back to school, take a look around. How many trademarks do you see?

Jimothy may have stolen the internet's heart, but can anyone own the rights to his fame? 🦝 MVS attorney Ashley Holland recently shared her insights with Bloomberg Law, explaining how existing IP laws intersect with the internet's newest celebrity. tinyurl.com/3nrcke3n

What do the safety pin, an early sewing machine, and a fountain pen have in common? They all trace back to Walter Hunt, born on this day in 1796. Hunt held dozens of patents, proving that some of the biggest innovations come from solving everyday problems!

Your company's most valuable assets might already be hiding in plain sight. In her latest Filewrapper, MVS's Heidi Nebel discusses the often-unrecognized forms of IP businesses already own & why identifying them is the first step toward protecting them. tinyurl.com/MVSIP

🍎 Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI highlights the importance of trade secrets. Regardless of the outcome, it's a reminder that protecting valuable IP takes more than patents. Tell us what you think - Where should the line be drawn when employees move to a competitor?

🎣 Most people see a fishing lure. An IP attorney sees layers of protection. Utility patents. Design patents. Trademarks. Trade dress. Copyrights. Trade secrets. The strongest IP strategy isn't picking one - it's knowing how to layer them together!

🎮 This Day in IP History: On July 9, 1981, Nintendo released Donkey Kong, introducing Jumpman (later Mario). The game also sparked a famous trademark battle with Universal over King Kong. Nintendo won, creating one of gaming's most influential IP cases.

The Summer 2026 edition of MVS Briefs is here! Stay current with timely insights and practical updates from our IP team on the issues influencing innovation and business today. Read here: ipmvs.com/briefs/

Happy National Pink Day! 💗 Can a color be trademarked? Owens Corning proved it can. In his latest Filewrapper, MVS Trademark Attorney Andrew Morgan explores how the company's iconic pink insulation became a valuable trademark. Read more: tinyurl.com/3erd5xfv

We're proud to share that MVS Partner Jill Link will speak at the 2026 LEGUS International Network of Law Firms Annual Meeting in Dundee, Scotland. Jill will join a panel on law firm management and growth, sharing insights with legal professionals from around the world.

St. Louis is earning recognition as a bioscience innovation hub. MVS is proud to support this growing ecosystem through our St. Louis office and partnership with 39 North, helping innovators protect the technologies shaping the future. danforthcenter.org/news/st-l…