1 April. 2021
As the competitive nature of the business world rages, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and inventors are looking for additional legal protection for their intellectual property. In the past, ideas and patents were largely protected by a sense of honor and business ethics. Unfortunately, those days have largely slipped into the past.
An increasing number of clients are searching for legal avenues to protect themselves before they are taken advantage of by colleagues and competitors. Whether your client wants to protect their trademark icon, an IP address, or a new invention, there are legal steps that need to be taken to get the right protection.
Intellectual property can include any ideas, original designs, trademarks, inventions, and discoveries. To help prevent your clients from infringement issues, experts like Parker Scheer LLP recommend that you follow these steps to protect your intellectual property.
Register Business Names
All relative names associated with your business including your corporate name, your IP address name, and your product name should be protected. Registering all identifying property with your state can protect you from legal issues right from the beginning. If your client is still in the beginning stages of launching their business, registering their intended names should be made a priority. Having all business and product names registered with the state early can ensure that no one else speaks for the listing.
Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents
Intellectual property encompasses a large variety of ideas, inventions, and designs. As soon as an idea is created, your client essentially owns it. However, proving ownership can be a challenge in a legal dispute if these creations are not formally registered.
Copyrights
- Copyrights cover all tangible and intangible creative works. Copyrights are generally good for up to 70 years following the creator’s death but can be extended in special circumstances.
Trademarks
- Business marketing often includes a logo, symbol, or catchphrase that becomes representative of a business. Trademarks do not carry an expiration date.
Patents
- Creation of a unique design, machine, product, or physical compound you will need to protect your discovery with a patent. Registered patents provide protection for others trying to copy or replicate your design.
Security
Most modern businesses rely on some form of technology or internet storage to conduct and grow their company. While there are significant benefits to online tools including increased growth and marketing capabilities, there are also more risks. Any information that is stored digitally has the potential to be stolen or hacked. Installing a quality digital security system is the best way to protect any intellectual property that could be found online. Installing company protocols that include upgraded software, sophisticated password and authorization systems, and data encryption, your client can prevent any online theft of their most precious information.
Confidentiality
All business owners aim to surround themselves with a professional team that they can trust. Unfortunately, not all employees are dedicated to their company and are more interested in their own profit. To help protect your clients from threats within their own company, the creation of legal documentation should be a priority. Drawing up confidentiality agreements, non-disclosure documents, and privacy contracts could help protect business owners from the inside.
It can be a lengthy process to protect the intellectual property of a business. Educating your clients on where they need to secure their business can be the first step to providing them with the protection that they need for the future.
Magnus Kjelland is a guest post manager at GLobex IT Solutions His job is to ensure all guest post projects are completed on time and according to client’s requirement.
