Intellectual Property – or IP – is the very essence of a company. IP covers copyright, patents, trade marks and much more.
Without protecting your company’s IP – whether that’s through trade marking the logo or perhaps the confidential information of ingredients (think Coca-Cola) – you leave your business open to copycats trading on your good name.
So, protecting your IP is important. But did you know your IP also has a monetary value? And this value can be used as security if, for example, you take out a loan for your business. Even if your business isn’t Coca-Cola or Apple, whose brands are clearly worth millions, your brand also has value.
This hidden value can be used as security against a loan. For example, you may want a loan to your business to buy commercial property or invest in plant. You may want to buy out a partner or co-director, or settle your tax bill.
Next week, the team here at Hartsfield Financial Services will be co-hosting an event in London with specialist IP law firm Briffa to explain what IP is, how important it is to protect IP and how its intrinsic value can be used as leverage to access company funding.
The free seminar is on Thursday, February 4, from 8.30-10am, at the Executive Centre, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street. Islington, London N1 0QH GB.
To book go to Eventbrite.