2. Growing Pains: How to avoid IP
nightmares
• Richard O’Connor – Partner
• Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys

3. Introduction – Or is it too late already?
• What is Intellectual Property?
• How commercially valuable is it?
• Some lessons to be learned?
• Questions & Answers
• Consultations

4. Intellectual Property
• Intellectual Property (IP) can be defined as
Creative ideas and expressions of the human
mind that have commercial value and receive
the legal protection of a property right.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR’s) typically
include
patent, copyright, trademark, design, know
how and trade secrets

5. Quick Explanation
• Patents
• Trade Marks
• Copyright
• Designs
• Trade Secrets
• Know How

6. How Commercially Valuable are IPR’s?
• Patents are monopolies, tax efficient, barriers
to entry & ‘add value’.
• Trade Marks represent companies reputation
and quality.
• Trade Secrets such as Coke’s incredibly
valuable.

7. Lesson to be learned (and quickly).
• Choosing the wrong name for products or
services.
• Failing to document ownership.
• Entering into problematic licensing arrangements.
• Failing to identify and protect intellectual
property.
• Trying to solve problems later.

8. Questions & Answers

9. roconnor@cruickshank.ie
• Richard O’Connor
Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys
8a Sandyford Business Centre
Sandyford
Dublin 18
01 2992211 (Direct Line)