Essential Checklist: Managing Intellectual Property for Energy Innovators.

For innovators, intellectual property management plays a crucial role in safeguarding ideas, technologies, and competitive advantage. ?Effectively managing IP can mean the difference between market leadership and being left behind, especially in the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy.

?Here are five top tips for managing IP in the energy sector.

1.??????? Identifying IP

IP arises whenever something new is developed.? Work with your research and development team to ensure there are steps in place to identify new innovations, and decide whether IP from this should be captured.? You will find you have more IP than you think!

2.??????? Timing

Once the IP has been identified, it is crucial that you act in a timely manner.? Ideally, this should be as soon as possible, in order to have your flag in the sand before anyone else.? However, it is also important to ensure that the innovations are developed to a sufficient extent to allow as much information as possible to be included in any patent application, as this cannot be added at a later date.? Therefore striking a balance between early filing and sufficient content is key!

?3.??????? Ownership of IP

Getting clarity on who owns IP and its chain of title from the developer to the rights-holder is essential.? Ownership is often investigated by third parties and investors, and can be challenged, so it is important to ensure you are the rightful owner of the IP when trying to enforce it, or when seeking investment.? If you are not the rightful owner, it may be challenging (and expensive) to organise the appropriate transfers, and there is a risk you may lose the rights to the IP. ?Where you are uncertain, it is always best to check with your IP attorney!

4.??????? Types of IP

Once you have identified IP and ensured you are the rightful owner, you should determine how you can use the different types of IP to maximise your protection.? ?For example, if you have developed a new wind turbine, it is likely best to protect its components and its process of generating energy through a patent, its appearance through registered designs, and branding through trade marks.? For each form of IP protection put in place, it is important to see a return on this investment and ensure that it supports your commercial objectives.?

5.??????? Watch your Competitors

By monitoring your competitors’ activities (both commercially and from an IP perspective), you are immediately notified when they begin doing something new.? This means you can act swiftly if you need to enforce your IP (if appropriate), and determine whether you have freedom to operate over their IP rights.? Furthermore, monitoring your competitors can help you to understand the market more clearly and identify potential partners, licensees, or acquirers for your IP. ?You may even spark inspiration from their new technology.?

?By following these top tips, energy innovators can effectively protect their ideas, technologies, and investments, whilst positioning themselves for success in an increasingly competitive industry landscape.

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We know that IP can be a difficult part of your growth strategy. ?But we also know that – when managed properly – it can completely transform the success of your business. ?Lawrie are easy to work with, will spend time understanding your business goals and ambitions, and will design and implement an IP strategy to build value in your business.

Lawrie – The Intellectual Property team for dynamic brands and forward-thinking minds.

www.lawrie-ip.com

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