Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Your business brands can be powerful assets. Preventing other businesses from trading on your good name helps protect you against unfair competition.

If your business profits from original works (for example, art, written content or software), you may need to protect against copyright infringement.

Design can be a key part of what makes a product successful - it might be the single most important factor setting it apart from the rest.

If you’re going to invest in new product development, a patent can help make sure that other businesses can’t simply copy your ideas.

The difference between design right and registered designs, how much registration costs and what to do if someone claims the right to your design

Copyright protects the creators of original text, artwork and films, and gives you control over the rights to copy, perform or broadcast your material

The four types of intellectual property that can be protected, who has the rights to it and how to stop someone infringing your intellectual property

Your business almost certainly relies on some form of IP. How to make sure you're protecting it effectively, and also avoid infringing others' rights.

What you need to know if you are considering patenting your invention, including why you should do it, using an agent and the costs involved

If a trademark is to be registered, whether a word, logo, shape, sound or smell, it must be represented graphically on the application form

Find out how to protect and exploit your intellectual property, whether it is a design, shape, brand or type of technology, using this handy tool

Use this search tool from the Trade marks and designs registration office to find trade marks that have been registered and are valid within the EU

This guide will help you decide if a patent is right for your invention; the process by which patents are granted; and how to enforce your patent

The content your business creates can be of significant value. So, how can you check whether it is being plagiarised and what can you do to stop it?

A basic understanding of IP and how it applies to your business is essential if you want to make the most of your potentially valuable IP assets