What does IP strategy mean?

…and why do you need to have one that is tailored to your business and commercial aspirations?

Intellectual property (IP) is a business asset that can have substantial value and can be used to give you a competitive advantage, build brand recognition and a reputation for innovation, generate income or secure investment and… basically…grow. Is your IP strategy looking its best?

An experienced patent attorney can usually help with at least some of these questions, and that is a good place to start. However, the simple fact is that your IP strategy may need to be considered from several different angles, using the right network of advisers. Mathys & Squire is able to provide a comprehensive and strategic IP management service through its sister company, Coller IP, whose experienced IP management specialists help organisations of all types to realise meaningful value from their intangible assets.

We are lucky to have one of those specialists, Alex Tame, based here in our Oxford office. Alex and the rest of the team at Coller IP have many years’ experience of delivering strategic IP projects, ranging from IP audits, training, licensing, trade secret audits, valuation, cost management and strategy positioning to customers ranging from micro-enterprises to large multinational and investors across Europe and South East Asia. Their specialisms include IP valuation for investment purposes, assisting businesses in the UK, Europe, USA, Asia and UAE with the maximisation of value from their IP assets, and successfully connecting funds and investors with innovation driven business opportunities.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

•  Do you know what IP your business has (or could have)? It can’t add value to, or help to grow, your business if you don’t know it’s there.
• Are you aware of all the unregistered IP rights that already exist within your business? It is rare for a business to have no IP at all.
• Do you know when to keep your ideas confidential, and when and how it is safe to share them? Whether it’s a trade secret or a patentable invention, confidentiality can be a crucial part of your IP strategy.
• Do you have registered IP for the key USPs of your business? Strategic use of registered IP, such as patents, designs and trademarks, can protect your USPs to give you the competitive advantage to grow your business or attract investment.
• Are you aware of the tax relief (named Patent Box) available against profits from sales of a patented product? This applies to even a small part of the product and has the potential to offset, and even by far outweigh, the cost of obtaining a patent.
• Do you know how your IP strategy can help to secure funding? Whether you need to borrow against the value of your IP, secure grant funding or attract investment, the right IP strategy can help, whereas a weak or non-existent IP strategy can be detrimental.

If you are looking to secure your innovation, determine the intangible value of your business or open up new revenue streams to grow your business, get in touch with us:

Vicki Strachan, Patent Attorney & Head of Mathys & Squire’s Oxford office [email protected] www.mathys-squire.com

Alex Tame, Director of IP – Coller IP [email protected] collerip.com

Milton Park Innovation Centre 174 Brook Drive, Milton Park, Oxfordshire OX14 4SE T: 01865 546 155 www.mathys-squire.com