Do You Track Your Competitors' IP?

What are the benefits of tracking your competitors?

As businesses develop, so do their ideas and offerings. This often leads to an expansion in a business' IP portfolio. Due to the public disclosure associated with intellectual property (IP) rights, monitoring your competitors' application filings may provide insight into their future offerings and business direction. You may then use this to inform your own business strategy, for example to launch competing products, or avoid an overcrowded market segment.

Trade mark applications in the UK require the applicant to either be currently using the trade mark, or have a bona fide intention to use it. Therefore, whilst not a fool-proof method, by tracking a competitor's trade mark filings you may be able to anticipate the launch of a new product or service. The trade mark application also requires a disclosure of all goods and services relating to the use of the mark which may help you to anticipate the scope and