2022-04-04
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - Oscar Wilde. These words were never meant to apply to intellectual property where imitation is generally associated with infringement. If intellectual property is properly protected, it is possible to prevent others from profiting from their version of your ingenuity. Different types of intellectual property are protected in different ways and preparing ahead of time for potential issues can make it easier to stop them in the future. Learn more below:
Apply for Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights
Intellectual property rights and registration provides legal protection to your inventions. Depending on your requirements, you can apply for the following services:
Trademarks
Trademarks protect your brand and can include things like a company or product name, logo, colour, shape, scent, sound and more. Trademark protection is generally limited to the area in which you operate. If there is likely to be confusion in the marketplace or a believe that there is a relationship between you and a third party, you may be able to stop an infringer.
Patents
Patents protect inventions, including apparatuses, products, processes, methods, systems and more. In order to obtain a patent, your invention must be unique, non-obvious, and useful.
Copyrights
Copyrights protect your artistic expression or works of authorship, such as text, artwork, drawing, photography, dramatic plays, etc.
With the proper protections in place, you are in position to stop infringers.
Keep Detailed Notes and Copies of Documents During the Process
Keeping detailed notes and copies of documents during the creation of inventions, copyrighted works, etc. can provide you with evidence related to ownership rights, who inventors are, who authors are, etc. This information can be invaluable if you end up in a situation where you need to confirm your ownership of an intellectual property asset.
Take Steps to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Whenever possible, you should attempt to prevent others from using your intellectual property without your permission. In some cases, not taking action can result in a loss of rights. If you are strategic and regularly take steps to enforce your rights, it becomes less likely that others will infringe as they will know that they risk legal action being taken against them.
Avoid Joint Ownership
Joint ownership of intellectual property can create a number of challenges. If you can maintain sole ownership over your intellectual property, you do not have to worry about what other owners are doing or who they might sell their rights to. If you must have joint ownership, consider an agreement that clearly sets out what each joint owner is permitted to do with their rights.
Enforce Security Policies
Everyone involved in the project should be briefed about intellectual property protocols, procedures, and practices. Clearly indicating that something is confidential and reminding those involved in the project that confidentiality is important on a regular basis can help prevent accidental disclosures that can negatively affect intellectual property rights.
These techniques can help you protect your intellectual property. To learn more about patents, trademarks, and copyright, reach out to us.
