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How to safeguard your intellectual property
1. It's a fact
In 1972, Kambrook developed the electrical power board. It became an immediate success, creating massive company growth. Kambrook, however, neglected to patent the idea and lost millions of dollars to competitors who were free to copy the product. Don’t fall into a similar trap.
2. Viewpoint
"If the Internet economy has taught us anything, it’s that the physical world determines less and less of what we value… The stuff between workers’ ears has become treasure to today’s managers. The challenge now for managers is how to capture, harness, develop, and protect that knowledge."
3. Ask yourself
Do we own the IP we’re using? Can we prove it?…
- What are the processes or knowledge critical to our business success? If unique to our business, how are we keeping them confidential?
- Did an external agency write and/or design our soft-ware, or marketing material and leaflets? Did the contract specify who owned the IP?
- What strategies do we have to monitor our IP? …
