There are times when you suddenly think of a creative idea that you think can be very useful. You don’t know if such an image will be your key to starting a business venture. But you know that the idea you have in mind is so innovative and so revolutionary that you want to make sure nobody steals it from you. However, how can it be stolen from you if nobody knows it’s there, to begin with? This is where intellectual property comes in.
Intellectual Property or IP is a legal notion about things our mind produces for which their sole rights. The term ‘intellectual’ can refer to intangible assets like musical and artistic works, inventions, and even words and symbols. Although discovering a new idea can be very exciting, they are only of value if you can protect them as your own. Here are tips to make sure the product of your eureka moment is protected:
File for protection – You can face various choices when filing it: patent, trademark, or copyright. A patent for something you created doesn’t grant the right to make, use, sell, or import. But, it prohibits others from using them. A trademark is simply a name, a word, or even a symbol that is used as a sign of the origin of goods to recognize them from others’ interests. Copyright, on the other hand, protects the author or creator’s original work.
Get a lawyer – It’s worth your money to hire the assistance of an attorney that specializes in this matter. Look for someone with extensive experience in the area. Ask a friend or someone you trust for his/her recommendation.
Be familiar with intellectual property – Whether or not you’re getting the services of a lawyer, it’s also right to explore information on the subject. Read everything you can regarding intellectual property and your benefits. Particularly read on local laws that govern IP in your state or country.
Don’t present your idea half-baked – Just like you don’t want to eat a half-baked cake, you also don’t want to give an idea that’s not complete. Be sure to fully develop whatever great idea you have before presenting it to the world. Please don’t get carried away by that eureka moment by immediately launching it. Aside from determining your work’s strengths and weaknesses, you should also know exactly who your target market is, and if there’s a similar creation out there that may challenge yours.
These are just some of the steps you can take to ensure that the great idea you have is protected and remains yours for as long as you want it.
