None of us has the same experience. None of us views the world through the same lens. None of us has had the same conversations with our clients. Like all those things combined to create each of our unique points of view and our own experience that we're bringing to the table with our clients, with our audiences. And so I don't want anyone to forget how valuable that is. You know, in a world with AI, and I know that's where we're going, but it's still so important. - Erin Austin
In the age of AI-generated content, content repurposing, and ideas being “created” with a screenshot of your site, the question of ownership is more urgent than ever:
How do you protect what you’ve created when so much of what you’re creating lives online?
In this episode of Aggressively Human, we’re joined by Erin Austin, founder of Think Beyond IP, to dig into what intellectual property really is, what you can protect, and how to turn your expertise into an asset—not just a deliverable.
Erin breaks down the differences between copyright, trademark, patents, and trade secrets, explains what happens when you create something with AI, how to avoid losing ownership in client contracts, and why your “unique take” is still your biggest moat. She also offers practical advice for service providers, thought leaders, and curriculum creators who want to build something bigger than themselves and keep ownership while they do it.
If you’ve been asking, “How do I protect my ideas?”—this is the episode for you.
What counts as intellectual property under U.S. law (and what doesn’t)
The difference between copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secret
“But what if someone steals my stuff?”
The moment a copyright becomes enforceable (and how to register it)
What happens when you use AI to write, create, or ideate (and what that means for copyright)
Why most service providers accidentally give away their IP in contracts, and how to fix it
When and how to cite your sources ethically (even when it’s not legally required)
How IP turns your expertise into leverage, whether you're licensing, scaling, or stepping out of the room
I'm kind of getting into contracts here, but it's not at all unusual to, um, you know, have a services agreement with a client where they own 100% of that deliverable. Right. And so you own nothing, because you cannot create an IP asset out of somebody else's property, right? So if the only thing you're using to create value is something that you got from a certification program or just the client work, then you have no assets and you have nothing that you can create to create leverage with. You can't create a licensable asset. You can't create something you can sell to other people. So that's why it's so important to make sure we have our own original IP that we're creating and protecting. - Erin Austin
About our Guest
Want to be the first to know when the next Masterclass cohort opens? Join the Priority Access List to receive early notifications and secure your spot before public enrollment opens. The paid masterclass is a three-session live training designed for experts with corporate clients who want to harness AI confidently—without legal headaches. Space is limited to ensure a premium, high-value, small-group experience so you get in depth, practical tools and expert legal guidance.
Other Resources
Connect with Us
Connect with Meg and Jessica
Share this post