The IP You Already Own (But Don’t Realise It)
A recent Deloitte survey found that 95% of businesses have IP assets. And we believe that figure is actually higher! So unless you’re in that tiny minority, you’ve got IP gold sitting right under your nose.
Let’s break down what might already be yours:
Patents protect your inventions and new processes. Think Dyson’s revolutionary bagless vacuum or Ford’s assembly line process.
Design rights cover how your products and packaging look – including surface patterns and even cartoon mascots.
Trade marks protect your brand identity. McDonald’s golden arches, Apple’s bitten apple, Chanel’s interlocking Cs – these logos are protected assets worth millions.
Copyright covers your original creative work – everything from your website copy and training videos to your software code and business presentations.
Trade secrets protect your competitive edge – your proprietary processes, customer lists, recipes or unique business methods that give you an advantage.
What Happens When You Don’t Protect What’s Yours
Ignore your IP, and competitors can legally swoop in. We’ve seen it happen:
- A star employee leaves, taking years of your proprietary knowledge straight to a competitor
- Someone registers a trade mark similar to your brand name before you do, forcing you to rebrand or face legal action
- Competitors copy your unique product designs because you never protected them
One of our clients learned this the hard way when a competitor registered a trade mark almost identical to theirs. The rebrand cost them years of momentum and thousands in lost brand equity.
Your IP Audit Starts Now
Take five minutes right now. Look around your business and ask:
- What makes you different from your competitors?
- What would hurt most if a competitor copied it tomorrow?
- What processes, designs or content took you significant time to develop?
- What would you hate to lose in a staff departure?
Your answers? That’s your IP.
It might be your signature training program, your customer onboarding process, your unique product design or even that email newsletter your customers love. These aren’t just business assets – they’re protectable IP assets.
The Bottom Line
You’ve worked hard to build something unique. Don’t let competitors benefit from your innovations without a fight.
Ready to uncover and protect what’s yours?
Map your hidden assets → unlock stronger growth + protection.
Need help identifying what you can protect? That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Book an IP Clarity call today by emailing [email protected] or book in an appointment here.
