Protecting Your IP When Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding can be a great way of raising funds. However, if you fund your business in this way you need to consider carefully how to protect your valuable intellectual property (IP). Crowdfunding involves wide and rapid disclosure of information. This can be beneficial to your business but may also pose some risks to your IP.

The reasons why you might want to protect your IP will be determined by the nature of your business. They may include:

• preventing others using your invention
• providing a licensing opportunity
• supporting an investment opportunity
• stopping someone else getting a patent
• obtaining a negotiating tool
• increasing your asset value or
• demonstrating ownership.