IP Monitoring, Enforcement & Violations
Monitoring your IP is worth looking at it with respect to the multiple types of IP that exist – trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and confidential information, and patents.
Reporting Potential Violations
IP Monitoring & Enforcement
Reporting Potential Violations
When an IP violation is identified, it’s important to understand the best way to communicate it. Generally, what that means is to avoid in your communication coming to any legal conclusions.
Any potential violation of an IP right of the company or those of a third party should be reported immediately to a legal representative. This should be done verbally by telephone, video call, videoconference, or in person with a legal representative. Initial communication (to set up a more detailed call) may be done using email as long as details are omitted. Details such as patent numbers and product names should not be mentioned in the email or written communication. For direction on how to communicate when reporting IP violations, please refer to the guidelines within this section.
Intellectual property violations could include:
- Misappropriation of confidential information or trade secrets of the company or those of a third party such as a contractor, customer or collaborator
- Infringement of trademarks of the company or a third party
- Infringement of copyrights of the company or a third party
- Infringement of patents of the company or third party
- Violations of terms of IP agreements such as non-use or non-compete restrictions.
IP Monitoring & Enforcement
When devoting any kind of substantial resources into technology innovation and R&D, it is important to protect such investments using trade secrets, copyrights and patents. A company must be committed to monitoring market developments to detect misappropriations of its IP throughout its lifespan, and enforcing its rights when required. Employees should be vigilant for possible violations and any suspected violation should be immediately reported to a legal representative. For proper communication recomendations, please refer to the guidelines within this section.