Four steps to strengthen your intellectual property strategy

Protecting your innovations and brand value is essential in a competitive market. Yet a strong Intellectual Property (IP) strategy is often postponed or tackled on an ad hoc basis. That is a shame, because with a few simple steps, you can quickly get a better grip on your IP rights and opportunities. Here are four concrete actions you can immediately take to strengthen your strategy.

1. Map out your crown jewels

What makes your organization truly unique? This could be products, processes or brands. Focus on this core first so you don't get bogged down in side issues. Ask yourself:

• Which technologies or designs give us an edge?
• Which brand or product name is indispensable to our identity?
• Which trade secrets must absolutely not be leaked?

By clarifying this, you will know exactly where to focus your attention and you can prioritize your IP strategy.

Marco Coolen, AOMB. Photo © Bart van Overbeeke

2. Explore the playing field

Have you ever browsed through your competitors' patents? You will be surprised how much valuable information you can glean from them. This will not only help you keep an eye on your competitors, but also help you discover new opportunities.

Some useful platforms where you can search for free:

• Espacenet (European Patent Office) – extensive database with international patents.
• Octrooiregister (Octrooicentrum Nederland) – provides insight into Dutch patents.

By searching these databases, you can immediately see where there is room for innovation and where you need to be careful of existing patents.

3. Create an innovative culture

Innovation does not only come from the R&D team. Often, employees on the work floor have smart ideas that can help the organization move forward. Therefore, encourage a culture in which ideas are shared – even if they seem minor.

For example, create a simple process for employees to submit ideas and ensure that these are also seriously evaluated. You will be amazed at how often a small idea grows into a patentable innovation.

Tip: Organize an 'innovation check-in' once a quarter in which colleagues pitch their ideas. This not only stimulates creativity, but can also expose hidden innovation opportunities.

4. Keep up to date with a checklist

A strong IP strategy is not a one-off action. Review your existing rights regularly and ask yourself the following questions:

✔️ Are there any IP rights (such as patents or brand names) that have expired or are no longer relevant?

✔️ Do we need to apply for new patents for recent innovations?

✔️ Are there any threats or possible infringements of our IP rights?

Creating a simple checklist will help you to systematically maintain control of your IP strategy.

More control within a week

The beauty of these steps is that you can complete them within one week. This not only increases the protection of your innovations but also creates a strong foundation for growth and competitive advantage.

Why wait? Take the first step today and make sure your intellectual property really works for your company.