The importance of the IP is often underestimated and, thus, easily overlooked. But remember that if you fail to protect your IP, your whole business may be put at risk. On the other hand, if you look after your IP rights, it is entirely up to you to take advantage of your competitive edge.
Because IP assets cannot be seen or touched it is sometimes hard to appreciate their true value. However, a basic understanding of the law and its principles will help make sure that you make the most of the mechanisms designed to protect them.
For example, you can protect:
the branding of your goods or services using a registered trade mark;
the way your product looks using a registered design;
how the technology works using a patent; and
any literature or artistic work using copyright.
Last changed: 01/12/2008 Print