What is intellectual property?
If you’ve started a business, or are in the process of doing so, you might wonder if you need to protect your intellectual property (IP), or if you have any. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind. It could include a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work, or new plant variety. When you register intellectual property rights, you’re legally protecting your idea(s) and making sure you have the exclusive rights to profit from them.
Beyond offering exclusivity, IP can potentially increase the value of a business too. Valuable IP assets can be commercialised through licensing, transfer or sale.