Overview
In this interactive session, participants will hear directly from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) about the fundamentals of intellectual property (IP) and why it matters for innovators and entrepreneurs. The session will cover how to recognize and evaluate the intellectual property you already have, along with practical guidance on when and how to pursue protection as you move from idea to product or service. Participants will also learn about the process of filing for and maintaining IP protection, including common missteps that can put a business at risk.
In addition, the session will highlight free and low-cost resources available to support entrepreneurs, including tools for filing preparation, access to legal assistance, and options for enforcement and ongoing protection. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of next steps and where to turn for trusted support.
Learning objectives / what participants can expect to learn:
- An overview of the main types of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
- Common IP mistakes to avoid as you transition from idea to product
- Resources available through the USPTO and partner organizationsto support IP education, filing, and enforcement
Registration for Spring 2026
Location: Online Webinar; Zoom link will be sent within 24 hours of the class start time
Date: March 17, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Fee: Free
Register Here for Spring 2026 or call 608-262-2451
Course Registration Closes: 3/16/2026
Registration & Cancellation policies
- Payment will be required at time of registration. You must have either a credit card or valid UW-Madison funding string to be able to register.
- Cancelations at least 24 hours before the program begins will incur a $25 cancellation fee. Cancelations less than 24 hours before the start of the program will incur the full program fee. To cancel, call registration at 608-262-2451. Please note that in the case of a cancellation (by either the participant or the SBDC), participants can only be transferred one time into a new course.
Disability Statement: Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the UW-Madison SBDC office at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu to request accommodations.
The Small Business Development Center at UW Madison is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
Instructor
Marilyn C. Nash
Marilyn C. Nash currently serves as the Interim Assistant Regional Director and Regional Outreach Officer for the Midwest Elijah J. McCoy Regional Outreach Office of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) located in Detroit, Michigan. In this capacity, she leads the Midwest Region’s outreach engagements across nine states, building high-impact relationships across industry, government, academia, and community organizations to strengthen the nation’s intellectual property ecosystem and expand access for all innovators.
Over the course of her nearly 20-year federal career, she has also held staff-level and leadership roles with the Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Contract Management Agency, and the U.S. Army. In her various roles, she led complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives spanning federal acquisition, industrial base analysis, business development, and enterprise process improvement. Prior to her federal service, she held engineering roles with Bosch, Parker-Hannifin, and American Axle.
Marilyn is a recipient of multiple federal performance and leadership awards, including the USPTO Director’s Award, USPTO Special Act Award, as well as a Special Service Award from the US Army.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Lawrence Technological University and professional certification as an Innovation and Technology Commercialization Professional from Georgia Tech.
The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship within the Universities of Wisconsin.
It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Madison helps entrepreneurs succeed at any stage. We offer no-cost, confidential consulting and business education across a wide region, primarily serving Dane, Sauk, and Columbia counties. SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact us at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu or call (608) 263-2221.