IPOS/SurfIP IP Starter - Punch Up Your Business With Intellectual Property

YOU ARE ABOUT TO LAUNCH A GREAT NEW PRODUCT
Starting on any new endeavour is exciting and
we are sure you want to charge out to conquer the world.
But stop and think.
Don't you want exclusivity for your new product?
Well, you do. Then ask yourself what is unique about the product.

It is timely to ask yourself these questions

Is it unique because of the way it works?

Is it unique because
of how it's made?

Is it unique because
of the way it looks?

Is it unique because of its branding?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, then what you have is
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Like any property or asset it has value and you should seriously consider protecting it.

If your product is unique in how it works
or how it's made, then you could
consider patenting it.
What is a patent?

If a product is unique because of how it
looks, then you could consider getting protection for its design.
What is a
registered design?

Your product has a brand.The brand can be protected as a trademark.
What is a trade mark?

The next series of questions is a guide for your IP needs.

Have you disclosed your invention or design? Keeping things secret - Novelty		You have databases, customer lists, formula, technical information and know-how? Do you know these can be protected? Confidential Information and Trade Secrets

Have you checked out whether there are other similar inventions? Information from IP databases		You have developed manuals, information sheets, training materials or promotional materials on your products. Would you like to protect them? Copyright Protection

Have you kept records of the development of your product? Keeping Records		Do you own the IP right? Inventors, Creators and Owners

The BIG question at the end of it for you is…
WHAT SHOULD I PROTECT? SHOULD I FILE?
The decision is yours to make and you should consider the following:

Can your competitors easily copy what you have? What other rights can you depend on?		How long will this take? Processes

Where are your key markets or production points? Do you really need to register your IP in those territories?		What will the costs be? Fees

Many local companies have gained from IP.
Find how they have done it right. Read their stories.

MAKING MONEY ON A NAME

Ya Kun International

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

Stratech Systems

PIRATES BEWARE

Ground Glass Images

A WATERTIGHT SOLUTION

Hyflux

GETTING THE RIGHT PICTURE

Supreme Imaging

Where can I get help?

Who are the experts?		Is there any government assistance?

How do I start?		Where do I go to learn more?

Prepared by: Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, IPOS 2004
Last Updated: 12 August 2004

Acknowledgement

This publication was developed in consultation with Mrs Murgiana Haq, Partner, Haq & Selvam and Mr Keoy Soo Earn, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"The information and materials (the "Materials") made available in this publication (the "Guide") are for informational purposes only. While we hope and believe the Guide will be helpful as a background matter, we cannot warrant the Guide is accurate or complete. Moreover, the Guide is general in nature and does not purport to cover the many issues that can arise in each subject matter, and may not apply to particular factual or legal circumstances. The Guide does not provide an exhaustive list of all the legal issues confronted by a business, and depending on the details specific to each business, there may be additional laws or regulations that apply. In any event, the Guide does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. IPOS does not purport through this Guide to provide any legal advice. Readers seeking to act upon any of the materials contained in this publication are urged to seek their own legal advice."