Protecting and getting the most out of your intellectual property

What is IP?

TM

®

©

Designs

Why bother protecting your IP?

• It’s valuable and saleable• Attracts investment & funding

Why bother protecting your IP?

•Franchise opportunities

Why bother protecting your IP?

•Licensing & sponsorship opportunities

How to protect your copyright• Arises automatically• Document and keep records• Logo design • Use the © followed by the year and owner• Metadata • Watermarks• Mark on your products/packaging• Make sure everyone else also credits your

ownership

How to protect your brand and ensure you own it

• Domain names• Company name• Social media names/handles

How to protect your brand and ensure you own it

• Look after your logo design• Searches• Use it consistently• Register it as a trade mark• Protect where you use it

How to protect your designs• Some rights are automatic• Keep records• Register for better protection• Other low-cost ways to document e.g. ACID• Identify yourself and credit yourself on all

products and literature• Make sure everyone else also credits your

ownership

Avoid using other people’s IP without permission

• Innocence/ignorance is not a defence• When choosing your brand name – do your research• With copyright you should know if you’ve been inspired by

something or if you’ve copied• Designs – be aware of the market around you and what others are

doing• Logo design – unique to you?• Playing music in your premises/using it in videos etc• Using patterns or templates• Using stock photos

Contracts and Terms & Conditions

• Not scary!• They are everywhere, everyday• Agree what is going to happen• Agree what happens if it doesn’t

work out, or you want to stop• Standard terms & conditions

What should a contract say?• AGREE:• What is being delivered (service, product quantities)• When will you deliver it (regularly, by a certain date)• How will you provide it (use someone else, deliver it

yourself)• How long will it take • Cost• How long does this arrangement last (one off,

annually)• Can it be renewed?• How will it come to an end (end of contract term,

with notice?)

What should a contract say?

• WHAT IF WHAT YOU AGREED DOESN’T HAPPEN?• If they don’t pay?• If you’re ill• It you’re late• If you have technical issues

If you are sent a contract

• Read it!• Make sure you understand all of the points• Does it cover everything you can think of?• Ask questions if you don’t understand something• Get advice if you need to• Don’t just sign it!!!!

Thank you for listeningFurther information and advice

Website: www.stanmoreip.comEmail: clare@stanmoreip.comLinkedIn: Clare MullarkeySocial media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram): StanmoreIP

Copyright in images throughout this presentation remains with the owners and has been used for educational purposes only in this presentation.