AI, Open Source, and the Future of IP: Bold Q&A with J.D. Houvener & Matt Kulseth

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In this lively, no-guest-needed episode of The Bold Inventor Show, patent attorney J.D. Houvener and trademark attorney Matt Kulseth bring their signature energy and humor to a rapid-fire Q&A session — tackling everything from the meaning of “made-up phrases” to the tension between patents and open source in today’s innovation economy.

The conversation kicks off with J.D. joking about year-end chaos, holiday crunch time, and even the possibility of a “Bold Patents Black Friday Sale.” But things heat up quickly as the hosts dive into audience questions on trademark myths, copyright confusion, and the classic inventor’s dilemma: Should I patent it or open source it?

Matt breaks down how a catchy phrase or meme can’t be trademarked unless it connects consumers to a specific product — explaining why “six-seven!” won’t make you millions (sorry, kids). J.D. follows by unpacking when open sourcing might make sense, what a defensive publication is, and how licensing can preserve ownership even when you share your innovation with the world.

Then, things take a creative turn as J.D. welcomes Ryan Begin, a digital strategist from Rise Up Media, to discuss AI in marketing, SEO trends, and how Google’s new “Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)” is reshaping how law firms — and inventors — show up online.

And if that wasn’t enough, Ryan flips the mic and interviews J.D. about his newest creative project: Bold Beats, a Spotify series of original AI-generated music inspired by invention, failure, and creativity itself.

Finally, the trio reviews a Shark Tank clip featuring a 13-year-old inventor, celebrates his issued patent, and reminds listeners that even the simplest ideas — like a measuring shovel — can make a big impact.

💡 Whether you’re a first-time inventor, an IP pro, or just curious about where AI meets creativity, this episode delivers insight, laughter, and a few mic-drop moments.

📌 Key Takeaways

• 🧠 What makes a word or phrase trademarkable
• 💡 When to patent vs. when to open source
• 🧾 How licensing agreements protect shared ideas
• 🚀 New trends in AI-driven SEO & AEO
• 🎧 How J.D. turns patent law into Spotify hits
• 👦 Lessons from a 13-year-old inventor on Shark Tank

🔥 Hashtags

#BoldInventorShow, #Patents, #Trademarks, #OpenSource, #Invention, #Entrepreneurship, #AEO, #SEO, #AIinMarketing, #LegalTech, #Innovation, #StartupLaw, #SharkTank, #CreativeLaw, #DigitalStrategy, #AItools, #MusicAndTech, #BoldPatents, #JDHouvener, #MattKulseth

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DISCLAIMER
Everything discussed on this podcast is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.