Securing Your Business Future: Tips to Protect Your Intellectual Property
by Olivier de Combret- Head of IP at SellerX
Protecting your intellectual property (IP) can have a significant impact on the valuation of your business. A strong IP portfolio can be a valuable asset and increase the attractiveness of your business to potential investors and acquirers and can greatly impact the evaluation of your company, potentially attracting higher offers from interested parties.
Additionally, by safeguarding your IP, you reduce the risk of legal disputes and infringement, which could lead to a brighter future for your business and its stakeholders.
Here are some tips from Olivier de Combret, our Head of IP at SellerX:
- Register trademarks in relevant countries. There are many bad faith applications, particularly in China, which could potentially block your business expansion. Registering now may involve a small initial cost, but it will ultimately save you time and money in future disputes over rights. Furthermore, registered trademarks give you the legal right to use your brand name and logo exclusively, increasing your brand’s recognition and value in the market.
- Ensure your designs are novel. If your creation has already been disclosed or is not new, in many cases, it is too late to apply for a valid design protection. Small differences are most of the time not enough to create novelty. This will ensure that your designs meet the requirements for protection and increase your chances of success in securing the rights to your creation.
- Be mindful of third-party rights. Verify that your brand is not too similar to existing ones in relevant countries and avoid copying products that may be protected by patents, copyrights, or design rights. By conducting a thorough review of existing intellectual property rights and ensuring that your brand and products are unique and original, you can reduce the risk of infringing on others’ rights and secure the protection of your own intellectual property.
- Do not hesitate to seek assistance from an IP attorney!
