There are various forms of Intellectual Property which, in the context of franchising, are very important to own if at all possible. If you are contemplating granting the rights to a brand to other people through franchising or licensing it follows that you must have the authority to grant those rights in the first place. Many people think that owning the limited company name is sufficient – it isn’t! Intellectual Property Protection is needed!
Our Intellectual Property Protection Services
Our Intellectual Property Protection UK service is designed to identify the key elements of IP and to secure as much as possible whilst highlighting potential issues going forward.
We look at each of the following IP elements gaining the required registrations along the way.
Patents protect what makes things work – like what makes a wheel turn or the chemical formula of your favourite fizzy drink.
Trademarks are signs (like words and logos) that distinguish goods and services in the marketplace.
Registered Designs protect the appearance of a product/logo, from the shape of an aeroplane to a fashion item.
Unregistered design rights you may already have.
Copyright is an automatic right which applies when the work is fixed, that is written or recorded in some way.
Social Media is a land grab where you must acquire your brand name before someone else does. This applies to all portals.
Domain names are inexpensive and the main ones that carry your brand name should be in your ownership.
Companies House deals with the registration of company names but this falls within company law and not trademark law.
Intellectual Property Protection in the UK – Contact
Contact us about registering a trademark and to discuss our intellectual property protection services.