Guidance

IP Basics

This guide is for businesses and sets out ways to successfully manage their intangible assets, or IP.

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 4 December 2017
• Last updated: 4 January 2022
  Show all updates

  1. 4 January 2022

     New text has been added to inform our users of the new UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 that comes into effect fully from 4 January 2022. Businesses and investors should check the guidance to understand what types of acquisitions are covered by the new rules.

  2. 2 August 2019

     B2B Toolkit has been added under the heading Resources for business and students.

  3. 10 July 2019

     The e-learning tools for IP Health Check has been updated and IP Finance Toolkit is now called IP For Investment and has been updated.

  4. 22 June 2018

     Link added to IPO's instagram account.

  5. 4 December 2017

     First published.

Documents

IP Basics

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Details

This guide explains:

• the different types of IP
• where they fit in your business
• how to protect them
• the ways you can use IP through licensing and franchising

It does not provide legal, business or other professional advice so if you are in any doubt, you should get independent advice.

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