Intellectual Property Resolutions for 2019

With the New Year just passed, people are reflecting on their personal as well as professional goals for 2019 and making a list of what they are hoping to achieve. This year, we are encouraging clients to reflect on their Intellectual Property (IP) assets. Here are Clancy PC’s recommendations:

1. Identify and review your company’s IP which may include copyright, trademarks, industrial designs, trade secrets and patents.
2. Conduct a valuation of your IP assets to know their worth.
3. Develop an IP strategy for your business. Are there IP assets you have not yet formally protected? Is it time to expand protection outside of Canada? Are you policing the use of your brands both internally and externally?
4. Review employee agreements to ensure that your company’s IP rights are protected. 
5. Raise awareness with your employees. It is very important for your employees to be aware of your intellectual property and how it may or may not be used. Also, employees must be alerted to the risks of infringing third party rights.  
6. Review any confidentiality and licensing agreements to confirm when they expire.
7. Create a policy surrounding social media. Employees may accidentally share information on a public sphere that should be kept confidential.

We would be pleased to conduct a complimentary seminar on the basics of IP for your employees. Please contact Paula Clancy to schedule. 

​Article by Nathalie Siah

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