IP Review and Update for the New Year

January is a great time of year to take stock of your IP protection strategy.

How has your business grown or changed?

Have you shifted your brand strategy?

Have you created new core technology, website, or interactive platform?

If so, you should reevaluate whether:

• you have taken proper steps to protect your new brand name with trademark and service mark registrations;
• you own the IP rights to the new core technology;
• you may be able to file for patent or copyright protection; and
• you have the proper licenses to the copyrighted works you are using.

You don’t want someone else to register your most fabulous brand name.

You don’t want to be barred from obtaining a patent because you waited too long to file your initial application.

You want to avoid copyright infringement.

Most importantly, you want to own the IP for works created for your company.

Taking time to review your strategy can help you stay on track to protect your company’s most valuable assets — its IP.