The Lindsey Anderson Show: Protect Your Brand and Business with Robert Thony
Episode Release Date: July 15, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Lindsey Anderson Show, host Lindsey Anderson delves into the critical topic of legal protections for online content and business operations. Aimed at entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants, Lindsey brings in expert insights to ensure that listeners can scale their businesses securely and sustainably.
Meet the Guest: Robert Thony
Lindsey welcomes Robert Thony, the founder of Tony Law, an entertainment IP and business attorney with over a decade of experience. Robert specializes in helping entrepreneurs and creators protect their intellectual property, navigate contracts, trademarks, and negotiation strategies. His unique blend of legal expertise and creative industry experience makes him a valuable resource for business owners looking to safeguard their brands.
Key Discussions and Insights
1. The Importance of a Strong Legal Foundation
Robert emphasizes the necessity of establishing a solid legal foundation from the outset of any business venture. He states:
"Protecting your brand, making sure that it is available to be registered with the trademark office as a trademark should be your first thought." ([04:25])
He explains that understanding the appropriate legal entity for your business, whether it's a consultancy, clothing line, or SaaS company, is crucial for aligning with your business goals and mitigating liabilities.
2. Trademark Registration: What and Why
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the importance of trademarking both the business name and logo. Robert outlines the steps involved:
"You're going to want to think about two main things: the name of your business and your logo." ([05:48])
He details the trademark application process, noting that it typically takes 9 to 12 months due to the backlog at the USPTO. Despite the time investment, he stresses that protecting your brand from infringement is invaluable.
3. Costs and Considerations of Trademarking
When addressing the financial aspect, Robert provides clarity on the costs associated with trademark registration:
"The current fees with the USPTO are $350 per application, meaning per mark." ([07:26])
He advises entrepreneurs to budget accordingly and highlights the increasing fees over recent years, underscoring the importance of early investment in legal protections.
4. Consequences of Delaying Legal Protections
Robert shares common pitfalls businesses face when they postpone legal protections:
"They'll call someone like me on the back end and I'll be okay. Well, we have to analyze who was the first person to use it...sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't." ([09:19])
He recounts scenarios where businesses suffer from brand confusion and lost clients due to existing similar trademarks. These situations often result in costly rebranding efforts or, conversely, in protecting a client's mark from infringement.
5. Protecting Content on Social Media
The conversation transitions to the complexities of content protection online. Robert clarifies the distinction between copyright and trademark in the context of social media:
"If you are doing that without the copyright holder's authority, then you are potentially in violation of copyright." ([11:32])
He advises on the importance of understanding platform-specific rules and the potential legal implications of modifying or repurposing someone else's content.
6. Copyright Basics for Business Owners
Addressing common law copyright, Robert explains:
"There are common law copyright rights that anyone who essentially renders something through a tangible medium is how copyright is created." ([13:26])
He advocates for registering copyrights to gain enhanced protections and potential statutory damages, which offer greater leverage in legal disputes.
7. Navigating AI and Legal Implications
As AI becomes more prevalent, Robert highlights emerging legal challenges:
"Name, image, likeness rights...someone is in violation of their name, image, likeness, and potentially their copyright rights." ([14:29])
He discusses the importance of negotiating rights carefully, especially for creators whose voices or likenesses might be used by AI tools, ensuring that their original content remains protected and their future opportunities are not compromised.
Practical Takeaways
Robert distills his advice into actionable steps for business owners:
"Do some research on what rights you have, what your intellectual property rights are...and if you have any questions, speak to someone like me or a professional who has more information about this so you can be fully protected and can negotiate a good deal." ([16:47])
This encapsulates the episode's core message: proactive legal protection is essential for sustained business success and avoiding costly legal entanglements.
Conclusion
Lindsey Anderson wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of legal protections for entrepreneurs. By securing trademarks and understanding copyright laws, business owners can confidently scale their ventures without the fear of intellectual property disputes.
If you're looking to safeguard your brand and ensure your business is legally fortified, consider reaching out to Robert Thony through his LinkedIn or email as provided during the show.
Connect with Robert Thony:
- LinkedIn: Rob Tony
- Instagram: @islawthonylaw
- Email: RoboniLaw@awesome.com
Protect your brand today to build a resilient and thriving business for tomorrow. Tune in to The Lindsey Anderson Show for more insights and strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.