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Matthew Nuzum

Matthew Nuzum

Business and technology risk management with a strong technology background.
  • Business Law, Intellectual Property, Trademarks
  • Iowa
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Biography

I am passionate about business and technology risk. I have worked with small "shop around the corner" companies and multi-national Fortune 500 companies. Contact me if you are starting or growing your business and need assistance assessing or understanding your risk and creating a plan to move forward with confidence.

I have a particularly strong technology background focused on software development, Internet businesses, electrical engineering, and telecommunications. I'm sometimes known as "the Geekiest Lawyer in Iowa."

Education
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
J.D. (2021) | Business and Commercial Law, Litigation
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Honors: Cum Laude
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Professional Experience
Open Source Attorney Program Manager
Google
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John Deere
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Canonical Ltd
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Zoom Learning for Law Students and LawyersZoom
Iowa Bar Association
“Value Pricing”: Raise Your Value by Lowering the Risk
Iowa Bar Association
Certifications
Admitted Attorney
Northern District of Iowa
Admitted Attorney
Southern District of Iowa
Licensed Attorney
State of Iowa
Awards
Excellence in Advanced Trial Advocacy
CALI
Excellence in Tort Law
CALI
Professional Associations
State Bar of Iowa
Member
Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Iowa
Supreme Court of Iowa
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Intellectual Property
Trademarks
Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. Can I start a podcast with the same name as a documentary film from several years ago? Not quite same focus (see details
A: Yes, you can, but if your podcast is deemed confusingly similar to the prior uses then you may be approached to change the name or reduce the chance of confusion. And, by the way, doing a trademark search is not the best way to see if there's a conflicting usage of the name. The purpose of a trademark is to prevent confusingly similar uses of a name, phrase, or logo. Note this is "similar" not "exact match." Creating a burger restaurant called MacDonalds would be a confusingly similar use of the McDonalds trademark, even though they are not the same. Also note that the absence of a registration does not guarantee that a conflict doesn't exist.
Q. Can curriculum created by school staff through grants/federal funding be copyrighted?
A: Yes, it can, however you need to review the terms of the grant. When the Federal Government produces creative material it usually is copyright free (search Google for "U.S. Government Works" to learn more). Works prepared for the Federal Government by contractors may be owned (and copyrighted) by the contractors. Your relationship with the government will impact the ability to copyright the material.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Surge Business Law
Website
Surge Law on YouTube
Blog
Surge Business Law
Contact & Map
Iowa Business Lawyer
Johnston
5335 Merle Hay Rd., Suite 7
Johnston, IA 50131
Telephone: (515) 994-0404
Cell: (515) 994-0404
Monday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours