How to develop a protection strategy (Protection strategy checklist)

What do you want to protect?

You can register technical inventions (patent), product names (trademark) or the shape of an object (design) for protection at the IPI. Artistic works and software (copyright) are protected from creation without

Registration protected.

When do you need to protect?

Patents and designs have priority, you can still apply for a trademark later.

Where would you like to apply for protection?

Patents, trademarks and designs are protected only in countries where they are registered (except copyright). Think carefully about where you want to register your intellectual property. One clue, for example, is the current sales market.

Save time and money with searches

Use trademark searches and accompanied patent searches. Sometimes it is easier to pick up patent knowledge or acquire a license than to develop yourself what is already known. Searches also prevent you from infringing on the property rights of third parties.

Define responsibility

Define who is responsible for the management of intellectual property in the company. This also includes the analysis of which property rights are needed, the application, contracts and enforcement.

Punish violations consistently

With your resources and strategy in mind, watch the markets. Consistently admonish violations by third parties.

Intellectual property in contracts

Include an intellectual property clause in contracts with employees and third parties.

Information protection

Ensure in-house protection of confidential information. Divide sensitive technological know-how among several employees so that you can limit cluster risk if someone moves to the competition.

The checklist as PDF and further information can be found on the website.