Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights

Your ideas, brand, and creative work are some of the most valuable assets your business owns. Yet many entrepreneurs overlook intellectual property (IP) protection until it’s too late. Whether it’s your logo, software, product design, or unique business process, safeguarding your IP is critical to maintaining your competitive edge.

What Counts as Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property covers a broad range of intangible assets, including:

• Trademarks → Business names, logos, slogans, and brand identifiers

• Copyrights → Written content, graphics, software code, videos, and designs

• Patents → Inventions, processes, or unique product designs

• Trade Secrets → Confidential formulas, methods, client lists, or internal strategies

If it gives your business an advantage or represents your brand, it’s worth protecting.

Why IP Protection Matters

• Stops Competitors → Prevents others from copying your brand, products, or ideas.

• Adds Business Value → Increases company valuation, especially if you seek investors or a sale.

• Builds Brand Trust → Customers can recognize and rely on your protected brand identity.

• Avoids Legal Disputes → Having registered IP strengthens your legal position if infringement occurs.

Common Mistakes Business Owners Make

• Using a name or logo without checking trademark availability

• Relying on “common law” rights instead of registering IP

• Failing to include IP ownership clauses in contractor or employee agreements

• Ignoring copyrights for website content, software, or designs

• Not protecting confidential information with NDAs

How Liermo Law Can Help

While we may coordinate with specialized IP counsel for filings, Liermo Law ensures your overall legal strategy includes IP protection. We can:

• Review contracts to ensure your business owns the IP created by employees or contractors

• Draft NDAs and confidentiality agreements

• Coordinate with trademark, copyright, or patent attorneys when registration is needed

• Integrate IP protections into your subscription-based general counsel services

Final Thoughts

Your intellectual property is more than an idea — it’s part of your business’s foundation. Protecting it early saves you money, stress, and potential disputes later.

At Liermo Law, we help businesses stay proactive by combining flat-fee projects with ongoing counsel subscriptionsthat include IP risk reviews.