Patents provide a legal monopoly for an invention such as a new product or method, to prevent unauthorised use.
Branding identifies your product to consumers. Ownership of certain distinctive aspects of your branding can be achieved by a trademark registration.
Registered designs provide legal protection of the external appearance or shape of an article, in three-dimensions. Copyright provides legal protection for two-dimensional artistic works.
Searching databases of existing patents, trademarks and designs can determine whether you have developed something new, which is then able to be registered. Searching can also identify if you are infringing the existing intellectual property rights of others.
It is possible to oppose the registration of patents, trademarks and designs from being granted to third parties. If an IP registration needs to be enforced against an infringer, this is done by way of litigation in Court.
Managing the quality and cost of a portfolio of pending and registered IP rights over time is important, to ensure that these rights remain relevant to your business. Having a strategy to capture new IP when it is developed is vital.
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