--- title: Steps to secure intellectual property description: Steps to secure intellectual property --- # [![Innovation Asset Group](https://www.innovation-asset.com/hubfs/Image/Decipher-Logo.png)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/) - [Decipher®](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products-decipher) - [Services](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products/professional-services-0) - [Resources](https://www.innovation-asset.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog) - [About Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/about) - [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact) # Innovation Asset Blog # Steps to secure intellectual property by [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) In a piece aimed at small businesses and independent developers in Ireland, Irish Times contributor Olive Keogh detailed the steps necessary to secure intellectual property rights whether a business received a trademark, patent or copyright. Keogh also advises people to proceed with caution when applying for a patent or other form of IP. In the earliest stages of a business, it's unlikely IP will be an issue, so developing a sound infrastructure for the company should be priority No. 1, she said. Obviously, for companies based solely around the development of a new product, a patent is more important. However, as soon as a business begins to take shape, applying for a patent is critical. Additionally, developing the business model around the intellectual property's lifecyle will help prepare for its expiration, Keogh said. Patents are awarded for a fixed amount of time, and ensuring proper preparations are in place when they expire is crucial to a business continuing its success. Protecting IP can be a difficult road for many small companies and independent developers to navigate. While pursuing a patent or trademark too soon can lead to early financial difficulties, failing to do so can be equally harmful. According to a new report, 28 percent of survey respondents found that they opted against pursuing an idea only to see a company develop the same product after the fact. ![Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/hubfs/blog_images/Peter%5B5926%5D.jpeg) ### [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) Founder & CEO, Innovation Asset Group, Inc. [August 28, 2011](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/steps-to-secure-intellectual-property) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Introducing Decipher® ### Categories - [Intellectual Property Management (459)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/intellectual-property-management) - [Commercialization and Licensing (210)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/commercialization-and-licensing) - [Invention Disclosure (201)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/invention-disclosure) - [Innovation Strategy (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-strategy) - [Ideas for Good (6)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/ideas-for-good) - [Innovation Team (3)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-team) ### News Archives - [January 2013 (26)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2013/01) - [September 2012 (25)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [October 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/10) - [November 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/11) - [November 2010 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2010/11) - [February 2011 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2011/02) - [July 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [December 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/12) - [January 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/01) - [March 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/03) ##### Portland, Oregon USA ##### © Innovation Asset Group, Inc. ##### [Privacy Policy](https://www.innovation-asset.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms & Conditions](https://www.innovation-asset.com/terms-and-conditions/) | [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact/) - - ![](https://www.conversionruler.com/bin/tracker.php?siteid=7009&nojs=1)