6+ powerful IP tools
Maybe you need a patent - maybe you don't
You've heard me say this before... And it's true.
This page explains the six most common intellectual property (IP) rights tools and strategies, including patents – and then some…
If your business needs patents in its asset and product protection strategy, you should not dismiss the other IP tools and strategies since they can often bolster your protection and be combined with the strategic use of patents.
On the other hand, if patents are irrelevant to your business because you don’t invent patentable matter, you likely have 4-5+ other IP tools and strategies, which are valuable on their own. I cover most of them in more detail and with templates and frameworks for using them in your workflows through my knowledge-based offers in the shop.
If you would like to check out how they match with different professions, a separate page explains who can benefit from these resources and how your strategy could look.
know at least these 6+ essential IP tools & strategies
To safeguard your business and secure its future, it is absolutely critical to take proactive steps against potential threats—such as unauthorized copies or misuse by collaboration partners during confidential projects.
Discover the powerful tools designed to protect your interests and ensure a trustworthy collaboration below.
Patents
The most "famous" amongst the IP tools protect technical inventions, physical processes, devices, ingredients and methods.
Patents are robust intellectual property (IP) that can protect your inventions. It’s important to understand that patents safeguard tangible inventions, not mere ideas. For clarity, check out the article “What is a Patent, Invention, or Idea?“
Inventions solve technical or functional challenges. If your creation involves mechanics, components, ingredients, or innovative combinations, it may qualify for patent protection, covering essential mechanical, chemical, and biological solutions.
Securing patent protection can exclude competitors from the market and capitalize on your invention, leading to substantial business success. I share some statistics about how even small and medium-sized businesses benefit from patents, e.g., by attracting funding.
Worried about the costs?
Patents are not just for large players with large budgets; Larsen & Birkeholm offer practical support for EU and Danish funding applications: LINK.
I will also cover the topic in my upcoming patent course, “idearlify® From Idea to Patent,” there will be lessons and helpful lists with links for budgeting your patent costs, so check the shop regularly to see if the course has been made available.
Patents are not the right IP tool for you, if you need to protect your content, or "look and feel" of your products.
Please note that patents are not the right tool to protect your brand (words, images, and content in general, name, etc.) or the look of your product. Check the following boxes for these elements, highlighting other IP tools that are the better – or correct match – for those assets.
Design protection
Things that look and feel a certain way and attract customers, are often knocked-off... Some countries offer IP tools to protect just that!
Design protection, also called design patents, is available in some countries but not all. This protection protects products’ unique look and feel, such as the shape of furniture or the texture of a special grip glove. It can apply to both three-dimensional and two-dimensional designs with distinct appearances.
If you create apps with unique interfaces or design items like pots, pans, furniture, or clothing, design protection could benefit your business. This protection is usually less expensive than utility patents, making it a good investment.
For more information, a blog post explains the differences between copyright and design protection.
European businesses can apply for partial cost coverage for registering European design.
Trade secrets
These secrets are relevant in all businesses! If you can keep them a secret you can (in principle) stay ahead of your competition indefinetely.
You probably heard that Coca-Cola story about their trade secrets. And what about Wrigley’s or the makers of the Mars bar?
Although Trade Secrets are not an official intellectual property right, they are essential in your “protection toolbox.”
Before you have a plan for your asset, product, and business strategy, protection and keeping things secret are not just for big players—they’re often at least as important, if not more important, for small players, e.g., starting a collaboration with more significant partners.
Trade Secrets are potent protectors of your competitive edge—if you keep them 100% secret.
So be careful when you’re networking. Read this blog post for five strategies to do so.
Trademarks
Your name, logo, hashtags and slogans are valuable assets that you can use IP tools, like trademarks to protect...
Trademark copy protection can play a profound role in your brand recognition- and its protection.
Imagine a competitor latching on to your brand identity, business, and product names. This could confuse your customers and make you look like collaboration partners, the same business, or you like the one that copied someone else.
Trademarks are perfect for achieving exclusive rights to use words, figures, and sounds, such as your logo, company name, or trademark.
Did you know that European businesses can receive partial cost coverage for registering European trademarks?
Copyrights
Another very well-known choice from the IP tools toolbox. Protect your words, texts, images, videos and tone of voice against plagiarism.
Copyrights are automatically applied to artistic or written work products almost worldwide from the second the work exists, even if they are not declared or registered. Here’s the list of countries part of the Bern Convention, which facilitates this recognition of copyrights across country borders: LINK.
Many people know about copyright, but not everyone understands it completely. This can lead to unintentional mistakes, especially among entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals.
Have you ever shared or reused a slide deck internally without asking the original author for permission?
I have, and I regret it.
I didn’t think about the consequences. Each time I used someone else’s text or slides, I took away a chance for that person or business to sell their work or improve their position in the market. I did this to help myself because it seemed faster or easier.
I don’t like that anymore (of course), and I suggest you don’t do anything else. Ask for permission instead (also when you want to use my free or paid content).
Even public "free" information is not a free pass to use in other contexts than intended by the author
Copyright protects your original work, such as text, graphics, videos, and your unique tone of voice—your business’s personality.
There is some overlap between design protection and copyright. It’s important to know which option works best for you. You can read more about this for free here.
Other laws protecting your business
Other laws such as marketing acts can add value too - and protect your competitor in your conflict!
Marketing Acts, Competition laws, and Privacy Laws can make any entrepreneur or business owner sweat. This is especially true if someone confronts you with something you did that breaks these laws.
However, often, they are implemented to protect the consumer and, therefore, require certain fair behaviors when we act as businesses. Roughly put, these laws are in place so that the consumer has the chance to make informed decisions based on fair information.
They are not as well-known to be helpful in your IP strategy because they are not intellectual property rights, but they are worth utilizing, understanding, and complying with.
Not knowing IPRs and consumer-protecting laws relevant to businesses can lead to one of these nine mistakes.
Publication
Publications can affect the way other IP tools work, but also be a strategic asset in themselves. A publication can not be undone - so you must understand what it could mean to you!
The trick is understanding how publication has many uses in the intellectual property (IP) world. But you also have to know what you are doing so it suits your business development plans and growth or sales strategy and does not harm it.
Similar to Trade Secrets, publishing is not an official intellectual property right —but it is the complete opposite of keeping something secret.
Why is this important? Everything that has been shown or used in public can not be kept secret, and in most cases, it also ruins your chances of getting your invention patented or design protected.
So, it can play a role in your IP strategy. Stay tuned for a blog-post on this.
Not sure what to do next - or where to start?
Business model, business type, product type...
Initially, it can be a steep learning curve, so I have prepared more free resources for you to get direction because you and your business are worth it.
→ Let me show you more about where I would start based on the type of product you create, develop, or improve!
Use your IP tools to protect - and build - your success
Utilize every opportunity to protect your work!
It’s a common misconception that mastering intellectual property rights is tedious and only for large, renowned businesses. In reality, you have the power to safeguard your creations without needing a degree or extensive expertise.
So long as you consider it valuable to invest resources, such as time and money, into your business, you should at least minimize the risk that someone can take it away from you quickly. If you treat your work respectfully, it’s much more likely that others will, too.
You’ve heard it many times and probably said it yourself: You have to start to become good at something, and mastering IP rights takes some practice. So, don’t wait too long.
Intellectual Property rights can
Make a positive impact on your business
Navigating patents and intellectual property (IP) rights can be a challenging task. I empower you with the knowledge and tools to seize growth opportunities, attract valuable partnerships and funding, and protect your assets from revenue loss. Together, we can position your investments as secure choices for you and your future partners. Let’s work together to unlock your full potential.
