IP audits

The starting point for most intellectual property (IP) management activities is a thorough review of all of the client’s current and potential IP assets. It’s surprising how many organisations are not clear what IP rights they have.

We assist you in identifying current and potential IP assets. Typically, we do this by interviewing IP managers, research and development people and marketing/brand managers.

Subject to individual requirements, we might seek to identify:

• existing registered IP rights (patents, trade marks, designs)
• registrations in other countries
• existing unregistered rights (trade marks, copyright)
• research initiatives or plans that may be registrable
• owners of IP rights (licences, contracts and assignments)
• whether trade secrets property protected.

We assess whether you have suitable policies and procedures in place to protect any emerging or existing IP, and if required, assist in formulating such policies and procedures.