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Key Takeaways Innovation without adequate protection is fragile. And in the digital age, those who take intellectual property are the ones who endure. Entrepreneurs must act early to formalize ownership, register trademarks and establish licensing rights.
Ownership alone isn’t enough. Responsible licensing and collaboration allow brands to expand their reach and generate new revenue streams while maintaining control over quality and representation.
Entrepreneurs must enforce IP with purpose. Taking action shows that authenticity and fairness matter.
In entrepreneurship, we celebrate speed. Founders are taught to move fast, disrupt industries and seize market share before someone else does. But in a digital world where ideas can be replicated instantaneously, innovation without adequate protection is fragile. The very same openness that facilitates creativity and is often cherished by creators also exposes entrepreneurs to imitation and exploitation.
In recent years, the crypto and Web3 sectors have both seen this tension demonstrated clearly. Many projects have grown from memes into movements, creating enormous value without clear ownership or appropriate legal safeguards. Yet as the market matures, one guiding principle has become synonymous with many who succeed: Those who take intellectual property (IP) seriously are the ones who endure.
When I joined Neiro as Co-Lead, I saw firsthand how important it is for digital communities to anchor innovation in legitimacy. In 2025, Neiro became the first memecoin project to acquire and enforce exclusive IP rights from Atsuko Sato, the owner of Kabosu, the original Doge. By securing formal ownership of both our name and likeness, we were able to take decisive action against unauthorized tokens and copycat projects that misused our identity.
This process proved that decentralized communities can still successfully operate within recognized legal frameworks, whilst maintaining the transparency and shared values held dear by members.
IP is no longer a legal afterthought or a luxury reserved for large corporations. It is now a foundation for trust, collaboration and innovation. Whether you are a startup founder, creative entrepreneur or digital brand owner, thinking like a brand rather than just a builder can mean the difference between short-term exposure and long-term success.
Related: The Basics of Protecting Your Intellectual Property, Explained
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