Innovator Spotlight: Dr. Jamaal Jackson on Using Intellectual Property to Bring His Innovation to Life

KSU Innovator, Dr. Jamaal Jackson

Kentucky State University’s Dr. Jamaal Jackson is driving innovation in higher education with his groundbreaking e-learning tool, Cross the Finish Line. This interactive platform equips college/university faculty and staff with the knowledge and strategies needed to better support student-athletes. By addressing key areas such as academics, mental health and cultural competence, Dr. Jackson aims to enhance student success with a focus on increasing retention and graduation rates among Black male student-athletes.

KYIPA is proud to showcase how Dr. Jackson has leveraged intellectual property to protect and advance his innovation. In the Q&A below, he shares insights into the development of Cross the Finish Line and the role intellectual property has played in bringing his vision to life.

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How has IP (patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.) played a role in your innovation journey?

Intellectual property has been central to the development of Cross the Finish Line. From the very beginning, we recognized that protecting the originality of our platform was essential for sustainability and growth. We’ve filed for copyright protections on our curriculum, assessments and digital content to safeguard the unique contents. We’ve also been exploring trademark protection to build a recognizable and trusted brand identity. IP has not only given us legal security but also strengthened our credibility when seeking grants, partnerships and investment.

What challenges or lessons have you learned working with IP?

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the complexity of IP law while also trying to move quickly in an innovation space. Filing and maintaining protections takes both time and resources, which is difficult for a small team. Another lesson has been understanding the differences between what can be protected and what should be protected. For example, we had to carefully evaluate what aspects of our platform needed copyright, what could benefit from a trademark and what would remain as trade secrets. Working with experts at KCV and seeking guidance early helped us avoid costly missteps.

Do you have any advice for other Kentucky innovators navigating IP?

Start the IP conversation as early as possible, even if you feel your idea is still in the “sketch on a napkin,” stage. Don’t wait until you’re launching publicly to think about protection. I’d also encourage innovators to lean on resources like KCV for invaluable guidance. Finally, remember that IP isn’t just about legal protection; it’s about creating value. Strong IP strategy can make your idea more attractive to partners, funders and customers.