Protect your business with the most
relevant ip rights first
What you do in your business dictates what you can protect - and how...
Your business, products and protection
When I am asked to support businesses in their product and asset protection strategy and works, I always ask: what would hurt your business most to lose to your competition? There is a pattern that makes sense depending on what you do. See the list below.
One way to find the right combination of intellectual property rights and related IP tools for your business is to examine each tool—understand what it protects, which types of assets, products, aspects, or elements it protects, and how it aligns with your business. If you prefer to approach your process from that perspective, visit this page: 6+ powerful IP tools you must know.
This page’s approach starts with what is most valuable to you, your business, your customers, and your partners—and thus, good business cases for the competition to imitate. So, in the orange box below, you can see a list to the right exemplifying different business models and business types. The list links to suggestions in the following boxes, where I explain what I would consider first if I were in your shoes.
Who is it for?
everyone who creates
Let’s set one thing straight from the start —protecting your hard work and the potential revenue it can generate for all businesses, regardless of size.
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 the right (or below if you are on your mobile device) to see where you could start to focus on learning about a specific protection skill. And you get a feeling of which kind of entrepreneur or growing business I have been able to help through PATENTsmarter™,
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
Suppose you create, improve, or develop physical products for a startup, SME, or large corporation. In that case, it is vital to know 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 IP-rights blog now and then.
What protects you
inventors
at home or employed
Suppose you have created something valuable you want to protect at work or home. In that case, 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 your invention’s unique features. 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 can you establish clear expectations and boundaries and ensure that you are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise.
I recommend ythat youlearn about all 10 items on the “innovator’s list” above. All ten tools can contribute to being 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.
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 identify as yours for your client to respect clearly and which ones you likely need to transfer to your client because they are a natural part of what you are hired to provide.
Understand confidentiality and trade secrets, 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 creating or publishing 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, proper documentation, and domain name registration.
You will likely be involved in many 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 quickly turn sour.
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 considered 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 essential 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 isis essential 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 discuss ” 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 attractive, packaging it to exude quality or other customer-pleasing aspects.
→ It’s essential 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 involves the product’s function, you must understand when a patent is necessary.
Trademarks may be crucial if your brand (or your customer’s brand) is significant for sales results.
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 complete control over your organization’s decisions.
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 understand 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 thriving in the long run.
Do you want to...?
Work with me
Use my insights and experience to help you build or strengthen your copy defense and avoid overstepping other businesses’ boundaries (aka infringing their rights).
