Copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets are the intellectual property force that will protect your business.  We’re always reading or hearing about startups with ground breaking ideas and disruptive technologies or tech giants buying smaller companies.  Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes these startups so attractive?  Why their technology is sought by others?  Well, in part, it’s all about their intellectual property.

Intellectual property is made up of four things.  These are:  copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets.  Together, they are an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.  Used correctly, they have the power to catapult any business unto great things.  Used incorrectly, they will become the kiss of death for any business.

Each area of intellectual property protects specific things in a specific manner.  They can be used independently from each other.  But together, in a strategic manner, they will protect your business more efficiently, making it attractive to investors, partners or potential buyers.  Which way should you go?  It all depends on your goals and vision.

Bottom line, intellectual property protection is as crucial as the products or services themselves.