Intellectual property is actually a property that can be mortgaged, sold or given on license. As it is a creation of your mind & resources, it’s your property.
Abandoned patents are a mine of gold which can be used freely by anyone, any where without the fear of being stopped. It’s an intelligent decision to use these, as they are no longer in force and hence are in public domain. You only need to find out which ones are abandoned.
Often we do not realize that we are either selling products in the markets where these are protected by a patent or are using products and technologies covered under patent. This is infringement and it may cost you in terms of your reputation and business. Follow due diligence.
Find out and take steps to protect yourself. Your product, if covered under patent, would help in litigation. Unprotected technology has value but is low on the enforcement level.
Innovations can be simple and need not be something complicated. A safety pin is one such example.
Custom officers look out for counterfeit products coming in. They recognize the value of a trademark and how it is used.
Jingles which connect customers with you are Trademarks, as they help a customer in distinguishing or identifying one particular company from another.
The more a trademark is used, the brand value increases proportionately. Use your trademark properly to increase its value.
Copyright infringement is a criminal offence. Besides injunctions and claim to damages, one may also end up in jail.
Copyright is a right that is created with the creation and it is not necessary to register. Just put © and it will protect your creation.
Protection of products and technologies under the IP cover increases the valuation and also helps in getting funding.