1. An organisation IP policy

Underpinning any organisation’s IP management system should be a broad policy statement that clearly articulates the underlying motivation for its IP position, as well as the strategy in place to fully realise the commercial benefits of its IP assets.

a. IP policy

The simplest yet most compelling method of articulating the value of IP is that all IP shall be captured by, and used in, the organisation’s best interest, whether commercial or otherwise, at the organisation’s ultimate discretion.  For the business to benefit fully from the creation, generation and commercialisation of its IP assets, it is a policy that should be endorsed at the most senior level to have real effect and cascade down to line staff, especially to those involved in the origination and/or development of IP.

b. Policy implementation

Ensure that the policy is implemented.  This could involve one or more of the following steps:

• One capable person controls and enforces all measures required to achieve the objective of the IP policy without excessive administrative burden;
• All staff are suitably trained to identify and deal with IP in accordance with the objectives of the IP policy;
• The IP is periodically assessed from a legal and business perspective and a decision is taken regarding further use of the IP.

Links to subsections of this topic

Scan your organisation for IP
Introduce an IP Management Strategy
1. An organisation IP policy
2. Identifying and capturing IP
3. Storing IP
4. Evaluating IP
5. Protecting IP
6. Enforcing IP