Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Your business brands can be powerful assets. Preventing other businesses from trading on your good name helps protect you against unfair competition.

Copyright protects your business' original works (for example, artistic creations, written content or software) against copyright infringement.

Design can be a key part of what makes a product successful - it might be the single most important factor setting it apart from the rest.

If you’re going to invest in new product development, a patent can help make sure that other businesses can’t simply copy your ideas.

The difference between design right and registered designs, how much registration costs and what to do if someone claims the right to your design

Your business almost certainly owns some form of IP. Read our essential guide to tracking, protecting and profiting from your intellectual property.

If a trademark is to be registered, whether a word, logo, shape, sound or smell, it must be represented graphically on the application form

Answers to the common questions on the different types of intellectual property, how to protect your IP against infringements and how you can profit from IP

What you need to know if you are considering patenting your invention, including why you should do it, using an agent and the costs involved

What are non-disclosure agreements and how they can protect small businesses? Alex Craig, Head of Commercial at Muckle LLP explains.

The content your business creates can be of significant value. So, how can you check whether it is being plagiarised and what can you do to stop it?

How to identify your intellectual property - which could include your website content or company logo - and how to protect and exploit your IP legally.

Intellectual property (IP) theft is surprisingly common. Practical steps for anyone who needs to protect their ideas, designs, trade marks and copyrighted material.