Most people from around the world do not know much about intellectual property. This includes those that actually create something that should be protected by intellectual property. For instance, when you want to get into engineering you get a specific education. During the classes you attend and the practice you do you are not told about intellectual property since this is much more about the law than engineering. Because of this, here are some things you do need to know about intellectual property, according to Douglas A. Grady.
All Businesses Own Intellectual Properties
All businesses, including startups, own some sort of intellectual properties. It is possible that you have a patent, designs, trademarks or something that is currently protected by copyright laws. What is really important is to know differences between the terms. Intangible assets can add a lot of value to the business and will give a competitive edge.
Brands Are Not Automatically Protected
You can be a limited company or be in the possession of domain names and still not have properties protected. Whenever referring to intellectual property, registering trademarks is a necessity. There is always the possibility that someone has a similar brand or name to you.
You Need To Do Your Own Research
Conducting a really good research into how to protect intellectual property is very important. The process can be quite time-consuming and most business owners will not know where to start. You can always visit the official government websites and look online for the current logos and trademarks that are registered. However, a much better approach would always be to work with an experienced attorney that can help you go through the entire process faster.
Whenever Innovating, You Need Patents
If you recently invented something, you want to get a patent so your idea will not be copied. The patent will cover how the product works, how it is made, what it does, how it is done and even what it is made out of. When something similar exists and you just discovered something different, you still need the patent. If you do not get a patent, anyone can steal your idea or procedure. Even worse, it can register the patent instead of you and can force you not to use what you discovered.
What Does The Patent Protect?
When you register a patent you basically get a monopoly for 20 years. At the same time, you get a huge advantage in the event someone challenges the product in court. As an example, a business might try to manufacture and sell something that is exactly as yours, without your approval. If the patent is registered, you are protected according to law.
You Need Knowledge About The Competition
This is important for both the growth company and the startup. If you do know how to do this, you can learn all that you need to. Using business databases is very important in order to locate the competition, understand their exact financial status, brand names, potential growth and owned intellectual property.
