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.
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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.
WIPO tools and resources for businesses
- Identify your business opportunities and risks associated with IP using our IP Diagnostic Tool.
- Read about essential IP topics for your business in our IP for Business Guides.
- Learn more about key issues to be considered while developing your IP strategy with our IP Strategy Checklist for SMEs.
- Resolve your IP and technology disputes through mediation and arbitration.
- Tackle your domain name disputes.
- Access high quality technology information and related services in your country through our Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs).
- Navigate IP manangement at every stage of your business life cycle with IP Business Moments.
- Identify your business opportunities and risks associated with IP using our IP Diagnostic Tool.
- Read about essential IP topics for your business in our IP for Business Guides.
- Walk through a startup's journey with our Enterprising Ideas infographic.
- Learn more about key issues to be considered while developing your IP strategy with our IP Strategy Checklist for SMEs.
- Resolve your IP and technology disputes through mediation and arbitration.
- Tackle your domain name disputes.
- Access high quality technology information and related services in your country through our Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs).
- Navigate IP manangement at every stage of your business life cycle with IP Business Moments.
Stay in the loop – explore the latest content
WIPO Launches First IP Management Clinic in Qatar
WIPO partners with Qatar to guide SMEs and startups in turning ideas into protected business assets.
Mongolia Chess Sets bring National History to Life
Discover how a Mongolian couple transforms history into craftsmanship through themed chess sets — and uses intellectual property to reach a global audience.
Call for applications IP Management Clinic 2025 – Energy
Calling energy-sector startups and SMEs: apply now for WIPO’s IP Management Clinic and learn to turn your inventions into strategic assets.
Kavčič Furniture: Sustainable Manufacturer Builds an Ambitious Intellectual Property Strategy
See how a Slovenian furniture maker turned sustainability into strength — by using IP to protect design, expand markets, and drive growth.
Maldives Hosts its First-Ever Intellectual Property Management Clinic to Help Maldivian SMEs Use IP
In a milestone for the Maldives, local SMEs receive bespoke mentorship and training to unlock the power of IP in emerging creative industries.
WIPO programs and other initiatives to support businesses and innovators
IMAGE: Getty Images/blackred
IP Management Clinics for SMEs
Support for innovative companies in formulating their IP strategies.
SME Support Institutions Platform (SSIP)
Your gateway to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) support: connect, find resources, and grow your business.
IP Business Moments
Ensure effective IP management throughout every stage of your business life cycle.
The Inventor Assistance Program
Supports inventors and SMEs with limited resources to transform their innovation into commercial assets.
One day IP workshop
Strategies, insights from experts and available resources to put IP to use for businesses.
This one-day event equips startups with the knowledge and tools they need to leverage IP as a strategic asset in their entrepreneurial journey.
Intellectual Property Finance
Learn more about how to monetize and leverage your IP assets.
News
WIPO – Intellectual Property for Enterprise Growth on LinkedIn
Events
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.
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.
FIT Japan Foundations: Stories behind the Projects
From innovative health solutions to sustainable initiatives, discover the inspiring stories supported by FIT Japan Foundations.
AI and IP
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IP in action – learn how SMEs are using their IP
More about IP in your business sector
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.
IMAGE: 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.
IMAGE: 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.