More and more businesses rely on digital platforms and less and less on the traditional brick and mortar model. Consequently, there has been an increase in virtual products and a decrease in physical ones.
Besides that, it’s no longer enough to register a patent or a trademark. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to access and use publications, music, artwork with the click of a button and without permission.
Many users assume that these materials can be freely used or reproduced. On the contrary, they may actually be infringing on copyright – whether or not they know it.
If your business follows a digital business model or is transitioning to one, read on to learn how you can protect your intellectual property and why it’s essential to do so.
Why Should You Protect Your Intellectual Property?
Not only did your team work hard to create them, your logos, symbols and offerings are all part of a brand image that sets you apart in the market. Give your business a competitive edge by registering its intangible and tangible assets from day one.
Having intellectual property rights to your work allows you to use it the way you want and to also be able to transfer that right to others. You can even license your material to earn royalties and generate additional revenue for your business.
How Does The Internet Affect Intellectual Property Protection?
The Internet makes it easy for people to publish and distribute content that was once inaccessible. Anyone can access and share copyrighted works instantly for free or at a very low cost.
As mentioned above, this has resulted in many people believing that they can use these materials however they want when they may actually be committing copyright infringement. Be it using a song in a social media video or uploading a photo to a blog, if these are unauthorized uses, they are violating intellectual property rights.
Intellectual property protection is, unfortunately, an area that tends to be neglected until it’s discovered that work is being reproduced or reused without permission. In the early stages of your business, it may seem as if you’re saving on expenses by waiting to register your assets. However, in the long run, registering them can offer you protection in situations that may arise due to copyright infringement, such as damage to your brand image or loss of sales.
Ways To Protect Your Intellectual Property Online
Today’s digital era calls for the safeguarding of intellectual property rights more than ever. But, why is it so important? Protecting your intellectual property protects your brand’s reputation, growth, development and overall value.
Fortunately, organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization and Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement have been founded. The US government has also begun implementing more laws that prohibit the unauthorized use of copyrighted works on the Internet.
These are some other ways that you can protect your intellectual property:
- Monitor digital platforms: With the help of online tools, you can track how your brand’s intellectual property is being used on search engines, social networks and more. These tools make it easier to catch unlicensed uses of your work.
- Consult a legal professional: It’s best to partner with a lawyer in the early stages of building your business. Through an audit, they can identify any issues and then help you to create a strategy to protect your intellectual property. You can also count on their support in the event your copyright has been infringed.
- Establish a copyright policy: Create your own policies and make sure they’re visible on your website or social media accounts. While this isn’t a form of legal protection, it provides guidelines for users to know how they can share your content, when they need to ask for permission and if they can reproduce it. Don’t forget to include the consequences of unauthorized usage.
If You Need Consulting Regarding How to Protect Your Intellectual Property, Sanchelima & Associates Can Help
Sanchelima & Associates, P.A. is one of the leading intellectual property law firms in South Florida. With over 40 years of experience, we have represented the IP interests of a wide array of businesses in the US and abroad, including Fortune 500 companies. Whether you need a consultation or prosecution of a patent, trademark, or copyright, we can protect your business’s interests.
Learn how you can protect your intellectual property on the Internet. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
