Release date: June 2005

With a number of high profile cases hitting the headlines over recent months, intellectual property has become a pertinent topic and as Darlington based legal firm Close Thornton Solictors advises, one which can affect everyone.

Rover, Monsoon, Primark and H&M are just a few of the big names to be involved in intellectual property disputes over recent months. However the issue can just as easily affect small businesses across the region.

Chris Wiper from Close Thornton Solictors advises:

“Intellectual Property essentially refers to protecting aspects of your business, such as the name, brand or products and designs. Many small businesses may think this only affects large companies with well known brands or products who continually suffer from the sale of cheap imitations, but this is just not the case.

“All businesses have intellectual property (IP) regardless of their size or the type of business and it’s likely to be a valuable asset. Many owners and managers also make the mistake of thinking their IP is automatically protected without them having to take any action. Some rights are automatically safeguarded by law, but there are also other types of legal protection you need to apply for

“Securing and protecting it could be essential to your business' future success, so it's important to conduct an audit of your business' intellectual property. This can involve staff signing contracts.”

Protecting IP can differentiate a business from competitors as well as providing a valuable revenue source should the IP rights be sold. By securing IP a business has the right to stop others using or selling it without permission as well as the right to defend itself in the courts.

For more information on IP call Chris Wiper on 01325 466461chris.wiper@close-thornton.co.uk.

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