127 —The Legal Mistake That Could Cost Your Business – IP Protection with Ian Aldridge Â
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In this episode of the ScaleHQ Podcast, host Sean Steele sits down with Ian Aldridge, founder of Progressive Legal, to talk all things intellectual property (IP). Ian shares his insights from over 20 years in legal practice, helping more than 4,000 businesses build defensible assets. They identify the IP blind spots that threaten small businesses, the red flags investors look for, and how founders can practically protect what they’ve built, especially when scaling beyond $5 million or expanding internationally.Â
Key Takeaways
- Intellectual property is essential for business value.
- Small businesses need more protection than large corporations.
- Legal advice should be viewed as an investment, not a cost.
- Founders should conduct an IP audit to identify valuable assets.
- Trademarking can provide a competitive advantage.
- Systemizing business processes helps in scaling.
- Legal risks can be mitigated with proper documentation.
- Understanding IP can enhance business growth potential.
- The trademark application process can be streamlined.
- Engaging with legal experts early can prevent future issues.
ABOUTÂ OURÂ GUEST:
Ian Aldridge is the founder of Progressive Legal, a law firm purpose-built for Australian small businesses. He’s worked in large firms, spent time overseas, and now focuses on providing clear, plain-English legal advice to founders navigating commercial, structural, and IP issues.Â
About Sean Steele
Sean has led several education businesses through various growth stages including 0-3m, 1-6m, 3-50m and 80m-120m. He's evaluated over 200 M&A deals and integrated or started 7 brands within larger structures since 2012. Sean's experience in building the foundations of organisations to enable scale uniquely positions him to host the ScaleUps podcast.
