Thanks to the digital media age that’s been dominating our world, browsing for information has never been easier. In just a few seconds and a matter of clicks, we can find numerous articles, projects, even novels and books from different people all over the world. We can also browse those gorgeous images, videos, and stunning graphic designs according to suitable themes and interests. Not only that but online businesses are propagating the Internet’s prowess to post their products and services to gain credible clients all over the world.

However, the downside of the Internet is that aside from scamming and phishing, it’s also relatively simple to steal intellectual properties. In fact, we’ve seen numerous cases of images and illustrations being stolen by anonymous internet users without giving credits or asking permission from the owners. We also have seen how readers are stealing written works like articles and novels to re-upload them to other sites claiming them as their own. Not just that, even “professional” business owners were victims of copyright infringement issues so how can we protect our intellectual property rights? Here are the things you should know!

A Sample Case of Copyright Infringement

Mick Quinn of Raft Furniture battles against Copyright Infringement.

For the past few years, Raft Furniture CEO Mick Quinn was appalled to discover that a startup company had not just stolen their software design but also their company’s name. Aside from copyright infringement, it is obvious that this startup company wanted to pose as a “legitimate” company and redirect Mick’s real customer into the fake one. Mick was furious when he learned about this and so, the company wage in a legal battle before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) found in his favour, after almost 2 years. Even though their company clearly won the battle, they were still in the middle of assessing and dealing with the damages. He also shared the psychological stress and not only him but the company had endured during the legal battle.

“It’s been all-consuming,” he says. “They had copied not only my [sofa design], they’d also called it the same name, and they were next door to me on Tottenham Court Road [in London]. Protecting your intellectual property is an absolute must … you only have so many great ideas in your life. If somebody nicks them every time, it’s really frustrating.”

Because of this fateful experience, Mick also shared some advice his legal team gave him on how to protect your intellectual property rights.

Register Your Idea

Whether it’s an artwork, image, illustration, or a book, it’s recommended that you get your work registered. How, you might ask? By contacting a patent or intellectual attorney to register your idea. Your lawyer will prepare your papers for you before submission. You just have to describe what exactly your idea is and how it differs from other similar ideas. It’s also important to think the scope of your idea. Is your idea only available locally? Or do you want your idea to prosper worldwide? Whatever your choice is, it’s important to consider the corresponding laws and regulations you need to abide with these countries.

Don’t Talk About It

Let your trusted partners sign the NDA to keep your idea confidential.

While your idea is still not registered, it’s your duty to keep it a secret or confidential as much as possible. Don’t talk about your idea in a public forum as the others might steal it from you. You have to be careful about who you trust to share your information with. If necessary, you can also file a non-disclosure agreement with your partners or team so that you can be assured they’ll be sworn to secrecy.

Apply for a  Trademark

If your idea involves establishing a business like a logo design or company name, then it’s important that you register for a trademark. A memorable trademark will also serve as your advantage over your competitors. It’s like a landmark or simply a “trademark” of your company. The moment your customer lands on your brand, they will instantly think of your company. It’s also important to put copyright symbols as well as footprints in your documentation like a website, a manual. This will further enhance your ownership towards your idea.

Get a Patent

Apply for trademark or patent to gain ownership to your idea.

A patent can be used to protect various ideas, from physical ideas to digital designs. While the cost is indeed expensive (estimated around $200,000), if you believe that your idea is groundbreaking and worth protecting, investing to protect it is surely the right choice.