HOME > idearlify® RESOURCES > THE LIST: WHO ARE THE TOOLS FOR
Who are you, and what protects you against greedy copies?
→ Who needs tools to protect their business against ideatheft and copying?!
Let's look at where you could start, depending on what you do in your business
I believe everyone should understand intellectual property rights, not just academics or industry elites. → As a business owner or entrepreneur, you deserve the knowledge and tools to protect your innovative ideas and products from infringement.
Navigating your intellectual property rights should not feel daunting – that’s why I am here.
You don’t need to be an expert or have achieved a certain level of success to grasp the fundamentals. With my courses and knowledge-based resources, events, workshops, and 1:1 sparring sessions, I break down intellectual property rights into practical and accessible information that fits seamlessly into your entrepreneurial journey.
Who is it for?
everyone who creates
Protect your business, assets, and products from being copied by competitors with PATENTsmarter™.
Using intellectual property rights enables a strong defense against infringement and false accusations, no matter your budget, product portfolio, or knowledge background.
Explore the clickable list to see how this platform has benefited various industries.
what protects you
innovators
entrepreneur, employee or owner
It is essential for anyone who creates value to understand the following concepts to some extent.
The boxes below highlight where you should start, depending on your work or product:
- Patents and utility models
- Design patents (design protection)
- Copyrights
- Trademarks
- Domain names
- Trade Secrets & Confidentiality
- Publication (Open Source)
- Contracts
- Competition Laws
- The Marketing Act(s)
what protects you
startup, sme & corp
physical products
If you are creating, improving, or developing physical products for a startup, SME, or large corporation, it is vital to be aware of the ten intellectual property rights (IPRs) and laws mentioned in the innovator’s description.
It is recommended that your employees also understand these issues since they are likely involved in many critical aspects of your business and need to know how their actions can positively or negatively impact your business opportunities now and in the future.
If you are new to all this:
Start by learning about confidentiality and how publishing can affect patent or design protection. After that, move on to the remaining items on the list. And maybe check out the copy-defense blog now and then.
what protects you
inventors
at home or employed
If you have created something valuable at work or home that you want to protect, it’s important to understand trade secrets, publications, and inventions, and how they relate to your business strategy.
This knowledge can help you or your employer profit from the unique features of your invention. Some inventors or businesses may develop and market the product alone, while others may need collaborators or manufacturing contractors.
→ In either case, it’s important to understand intellectual property rights and who owns them, so learn about contracts too.
It’s crucial to know your employer’s rights and how your conversations, articles, descriptions, and presentations can affect their perspective, positively or negatively.
what protects you
specialists
knowledge providers
As a consultant, it is crucial to possess a comprehensive understanding of your clients’ and your own intellectual property rights and ownership. Only then you can establish clear expectations and boundaries and ensure that you are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise.
I recommend you to learn about all 10 items on the “innovator’s list” above. All ten tools can play a part and be relevant to your particular field.
These insights will prove invaluable in navigating the complexities of intellectual property and ultimately safeguarding your clients’ rights – and most importantly your own too.
If you are new in your consultant role
Start by learning about the general concept of intellectual property rights and how yours are generated. Think about which ones you need to clearly identify as yours – for your client to respect and which ones you likely need to transfer to your client. Maybe because they are a natural part of what you are hired to provide.
Understand confidentiality and trade secrets and get comfortable with contracts – and find a great lawyer who helps you with good contract templates and reviews them before you sign.
what protects you
storytellers
authors & marketeers
If you are involved in the creation or publication of products that heavily rely on your words, storytelling, branding, or other intellectual property, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of various legal concepts and protections.
→ This includes knowledge of copyrights and trademarks, as well as proper documentation and domain name registration.
you will likely be involved in a lot of collaborations, so it is also important to be familiar with contracts and confidentiality agreements to ensure that your contributions are safeguarded and to avoid any potential infringement on the rights of others.
By taking these precautions, you can protect your intellectual property, ensure proper recognition and value for your work, and avoid conflicts that can turn sour quickly.
what protects you
artists
word & image
Individuals in the creative industry, such as artists, authors, and storytellers, heavily rely on their brand and work to showcase their exceptional talents.
→ It is of utmost importance that one has a comprehensive understanding of intellectual property to safeguard their business.
This includes crucial aspects such as copyrights, design protection, trademarks, domain names, contracts, and a plethora of other important considerations that must be taken into account in order to ensure the continued success of one’s creative endeavors.
what protects you
digital entrepreneurs
online businesses
Did you know that your hard work and original material are legally protected? It’s important to take steps to safeguard your online courses, presentations, sales pages, and other valuable content.
→ Understanding copyrights, trade secrets, confidentiality agreements, contracts, trademarks, competition laws, and marketing regulations are all essential tools for online businesses.
By familiarizing yourself with these concepts, you can ensure that your work is protected and that you don’t miss out on any potential value or opportunities. Stay informed and proactive to keep your online business thriving.
If you understand Danish, this podcast episode by digital entrepreneur strategist Trine Ravnkilde may be just what you need to kick things off. I visited her in November 2023 to talk about ” avoiding online copies”.
what protects you
designers
visual creators
You may not be directly involved in the product’s content or function.
Instead, you may focus on making the product look attractive, packaging it to exude quality or other customer-pleasing aspects.
→ It’s important to understand the differences between patents, utility models, and design protection (also known as design patents in some countries).
You need to know how publications, presentations, and sales calls can affect your ability to protect your design. If your design affects the product’s function, you must understand when a patent is necessary.
And if your brand (or your customer’s brand) is significant for sales results, trademarks may be crucial.
what protects you
control
-freaks
demanding to be in control of their own business
As a conscientious and reliable business owner, it is of utmost importance to exercise due diligence and full control over all decisions made within your organization.
The ramifications of these choices are far-reaching and can significantly affect your company’s bottom line, growth trajectory, and overall reputation.
→ Therefore, it is essential to gain a thorough understanding of how to effectively manage your assets, copyrights, and intellectual property rights to ensure that your business is legally compliant and protected from any potential legal entanglements.
Proper asset management can help mitigate risks, save time and money, and ensure that your company remains competitive and successful in the long run.
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to work with me?
Use my insights and experience to help you to build or strengthen your copy defense – and to avoid overstepping other businesses’ boundaries (aka infringing their rights).
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