Intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property (IP) are important resources for young businesses. However, navigating them can feel like walking a tightrope.Companies often struggle to balance innovation and protection while avoiding pitfalls on their growth journeys.“Failing to secure the necessary IP rights can leave businesses vulnerable, but it’s also important to remember that IA and IP are significant sources of revenue,” says Vivian Wei Cheng, patent attorney at law firm JurisAsia.To help companies deal with these hurdles, the Singapore government has launched GoBusiness IP Grow, an online platform that gives businesses of all sizes access to a comprehensive directory of IP experts that can provide tailored advice.Here are some of the most common questions firms have about IA and IP, with answers from the experts on GoBusiness IP Grow.1. How do I secure my IP without stalling my launch?Imagine spending months perfecting a game-changing product, only to realize too late that your innovation isn’t properly protected and competitors are swooping in. This unfortunate situation can be avoided if you get your IP rights in order from the beginning.But getting started is tricky, given that companies have a wide range of IP tools at their disposal.According to Jens Loosen, Asia Pacific general manager at IP management firm Dennemeyer Group, these are broadly classified as trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.Companies also need to think about where they register their IP rights and focus on key markets, especially with registrable IP such as patents and trademarks, which are often territorial and only enforceable in their specific countries of registration.“Entering the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) can help facilitate more far-reaching protection and can save you money,” Loosen explains. A single international patent application through the PCT can provide applicants with protection across many countries simultaneously.It’s also important to tailor an IP strategy to each product or service as well as the company’s overall business strategy. This might involve using different combinations of registrable and non-registrable IP tools to “prevent valuable innovation from falling between the cracks,” says Matthew English, partner and patent lawyer at legal firm Marks and Clerk.Technology-related IP, for example, can be secured with patents or registered designs, while trademarks can protect product-specific brand names.“A single form of IP protection is usually inadequate, so I’d recommend doing a full audit and figuring out what you need,” he adds.Companies need to think about protecting their IP from the start – waiting until after a product launches to think about IP protection is a fatal error.“For patents, that’s likely much too late

Dennemeyer Group announces the acquisition of the well-established Italian IP law firm De Simone & Partners. Continuing Dennemeyer’s glocal approach – havi...