Digital Innovation Is Not A Poor Relation For Intellectual Property

This article was originally published in The Scotsman and can be viewed at www.scotsman.com/news/comment-when-you-write-great-software-don-t-forget-patenting-1-4096118 .

Since James Watt had a patent specification for a steam engine accepted in 1769, technology has progressed at an incredible pace.

Today, the backbone of much of our technology lies in the digital realm. Intellectual property (IP) continues to be of immense value in many aspects of modern industry, providing protection for products, processes, and services that involve the intangible results of creativity, innovation and skill.

As such, IP – ie patents, trademarks, copyright, design and know-how – has become a widely recognised asset for companies. The value of IP extends not only to traditional companies but can potentially provide a valuable asset to companies engaged in digital innovation, an area in which Scottish-based companies have been particularly successful.