As an entrepreneur, you know that there are many challenges associated with owning and operating a business. One of the most critical areas of concern is your financial interests, as it can be difficult to grow a business, protect your bottom line and ensure that your property is safe and secure. An important aspect of this is shielding your assets from unauthorized use, including your intangible property. This includes intellectual property, which can provide great value to your New York company.
Many companies have IP that they need to protect. These needs span a wide range of industries and operations, and sometimes, companies are unaware that they need these protections. If you own and operate a business, it is in your interests to carefully assess the needs of your company and ensure that you have the full amount of protection you need.
What are the specific needs of your business?
Even if you have a smaller operation and believe that you do not possess valuable IP, it is still worthwhile to ensure that you have all the necessary legal protections in place. It is possible that you have a larger scope of IP than you assumed, and you will benefit from getting some type of legal protection in place. Some of the specific types of protection available for your IP include the following:
- Trademarks — These can help protect your company’s branding, such as logos, company names, etc. You can also register your trademark for stronger protection.
- Patents — A patent can provide protection for a proprietary process or method for up to 20 years.
- NDAs — These are contracts between employers and employees that prevent the disclosure of secret information that is important for your business.
- Copyrights — These are legal protections that protect different types of creations. While established at the time of creation, you can register a copyright for more protection.
If you are unsure of the types of protection that will be most useful for your company, it might be helpful to seek the guidance of a legal professional. An assessment of your company’s operations and other details can provide you with insight regarding the specific types of legal protections you need to feel confident about the interests of your company. You do not want to leave your company’s property exposed to theft, loss and the potential for unauthorized use.