About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight
On this page

Why Intellectual Property is Essential for your Business

A well-crafted intellectual property strategy can help maximize the potential of your business. Using and understanding the IP rights, you can:

• secure competitive advantages
• generate revenue streams
• reduce tax liability
• serve as a source of competitive intelligence
• facilitate access to financing
• attract investors and partners
• avoid and mitigate relevant risks

IP diagnostics

WIPO IP Diagnostics

The IP Diagnostic Tool helps you identify your business' IP assets and provides you with an automated report with basic information on how to manage these assets.

Benefits of intellectual property rights for a business

  • A brand sets a business apart from its competitors, building trust and consumer loyalty. Learn more about trademarks.
  • From reassuring investors to increasing margins, using your patents strategically can improve your bottom line.
  • Protecting the way your product looks with an industrial design can provide a major competitive advantage.
  • Copyright protects the expression of an idea, in different forms.
  • When the source and authenticity matter, using geographical indications can identify your product as being the real deal.
  • Trade secrets have the potential to protect a wide range of information that has commercial value due to its confidential nature.
  • Plant breeding results in new, improved plant varieties that are an important and sustainable means of achieving food security in the context of population growth and climate change.

WIPO tools and resources for businesses

WIPO programs and other initiatives to support businesses and innovators

(Photo: Getty Images/blackred)

IP Management Clinics for SMEs

Support for innovative companies in formulating their IP strategies.

SME Support Institutions Platform

SME Support Institutions Platform (SSIP)

Your gateway to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) support: connect, find resources, and grow your business.

(Image: Getty Images/cherezoff)

Patent Drafting Training Program

Improving the skills of those filing patent applications.

(Image: WIPO)

WIPOD – Make IP Your Business

Podcast that features how business can make the most out of their IP.

IP diagnostics
(Image: Getty Images/metamorworks)

Entrepreneurs Online Network

Strategies, insights from experts and available resources to put IP to use for businesses.

(Image: WIPO)

Intellectual Property Finance

Learn more about how to monetize and leverage your IP assets.

Events

Expand your business with IP rights

IP audit

Conduct an IP audit to review the IP owned and used by your business.

Secure financing

Use your IP assets to secure financing for your business.

IP valuation

Understand the economic value of your IP assets by carrying out an IP valuation.

Assignment and licensing

Earn revenues through assignment and licensing of your IP assets.

IP in action – learn how SMEs are using their IP

Learn how businesses use the IP system and benefit from their IP rights with our stories.

Video: IP is critical to Enda’s success as a shoe manufacturer

Video: Why investing in IP early pays off

Video: Expert tips to build your IP strategy

  • Developing and protecting your online brand: tips for the new entrepreneur

    A brand identity comprises the name, trademark, logo, slogan and other indicia of the brand, such as color scheme (collectively, the brand). Most of this is protectable under trademark law in every country and jurisdiction.

    Full story

  • Building a better future with recycled plastic

    The pavers produced by Gjenge are made of polymer concrete, which is basically sand and plastic. The sand is the aggregate and the plastic is the binder. The pavers are seven times stronger than concrete.

    Full story

  • EHang: The Sky’s the Limit

    Why is IP the key to survival and development for SMEs? Discover eHang’s case study now.

    Full story

  • Energysquare makes wireless recharging a reality

    Energysquare is reinventing the way we charge our electronic devices. Their wireless-charging technology, Power by Contact® offers a smart solution for charging several devices simultaneously.

    Full story

  • Interactive Digital Stories for the Innovator and Creator!

    Read and interact with these IP for Business stories and learn how entrepreneurs and businesses use intellectual property to enrich their innovations and creativity.

    Explore this digital story

More about IP in your business sector

(Photo: WIPO)

IP and Tourism

Do you own a hotel or restaurant, run a rental car business, manage a travel agency or any other business that provides services to tourists? Find out how the IP system may be able to help you.

Applications developer working from home
(Photo: monstArrr_/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

IP and Mobile Applications

Intellectual property (IP) mechanisms help mobile application developers and publishers to generate more income from their creations.

(Photo: Getty Images/alantobey)

Indigenous SMEs and IP

SMEs run by indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) can face additional challenges and concerns as they begin to navigate the IP system.

Learn about IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, and IP for Business Division.

https://www3.wipo.int/contact/en/area.jsp?area=sme https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/ https://www.wipo.int/tools/en/disclaim.html https://www.wipo.int/en/web/privacy-policy/ https://www.wipo.int/en/web/accessibility/ https://www.wipo.int/tools/en/sitemap.html https://www3.wipo.int/newsletters/en/ https://www.wipo.int/en/web/podcasts/ https://www.wipo.int/news/en/