To ensure the success of your startup, it is essential to protect your research and product legally. This includes filing for patents, trademark protection, and entering into non-disclosure agreements with partners and employees. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the key intellectual property considerations for startups and provide tips on how to effectively protect your IP.

The current resources are primarily focused on patents.

Before filing a patent, one should ensure that the innovation is not yet anticipated by publication in any form prior to the date of filing the patent. To confirm this on must conduct an exhaustive patent search. There are various methods of identifying already existing patents.

1. Search through credible databases such as WIPO or the USPTO website.
2. Perform a comprehensive patent search using keywords, phrases, inventor names etc. eg: using Google’s patent search option or one of the other resources below.
3. You may also seek expert guidance from patent and trademark resource centers.
4. You can also perform a prior art search within journal articles in your field.
5. To be eligible for a patent, one must consider not only previous patent publications and industry papers, but also any other form of disclosure, such as posters at conferences, trade shows, showrooms, showing a prototype to a partner, offering for sale, brochures, websites, advertisements, and "prior use.”

Type of resources

IP Management and Technology Transfer: insights into negotiating technology transfer agreements, strategically managing IP; tools on how to effectively commercialize innovations and maximize the value of intellectual property assets.

Patent Searching and Databases: how to conduct a first draft of prior art searches, and make informed decisions in their innovation and intellectual property strategies.

Patent Strategy and Planning: patent strategies, including IP performance enhancement, invention checklists, optimal timing for patent filings, and insights into IP strategy

Writing and Filling a Patent: resources on the process of writing and filing a patent, including guidelines on drafting patent applications, understanding patent requirements, and navigating the intricacies of patent prosecution.

Intellectual Proprety - focus Patent