Intellectual Property For Start-Ups

While it may not be the first thing that grabs your attention when starting up a new company or business, every start-up should consider intellectual property ("IP") protection at an early stage. Understandably, start-ups can often focus their initial efforts on raising finance and shortcuts can be taken in other areas leading to shortcomings. One of these shortcomings can often be to fail to seek advice about how to protect the IP of the business. Decisions made at this stage often have long term implications both for the future of the company and potentially its tax liabilities.

The different IP Rights

There is often confusion about what is actually meant by "IP". Essentially, IP falls into four categories – trade marks, patents, designs and copyright. Except for copyright (which arises automatically), all IP rights can be registered in Ireland and abroad. Trade marks are the most obvious example of IP. A trade mark or 'brand name' is any sign used in trade in