Own It or Lose It: Why SMBs Can’t Ignore Intellectual Property

We’re diving deep into intellectual property (IP) protection, exploring key insights and perspectives from Ben Cain, Partner at James & Wells and former marketing executive turned IP specialist. We discuss how small businesses can safeguard their innovations, build brand value, and create competitive barriers through strategic IP management. We cover: 

• Why early-stage IP strategy is mission-critical for future valuation and investor confidence. 

• Budgeting for trademarks, designs, and patents - what real-world costs look like and how to prioritise them. 

• Sector-specific IP pitfalls and opportunities in FMCG, food & beverage, professional services, and tech. 

Highlights include: 

• “If you delay securing IP protection, it becomes too easy for somebody to copy you.” - Ben on the high price of procrastination 

• “Investors always look for IP rights as evidence of a protected, valuable business” - why a clean IP register boosts your multiple 

• “Cast your mind forward. Where do you want to be in three years, then work back to plan your IP strategy.” - Ben’s blueprint for proactive founders 

Key Takeaways: 

• Grasp the differences between trademarks, registered designs and patents, and when each matters. 

• It’s not as expensive as you may think, NZ $200 to NZ $5,000 may cover a lot of your initial needs; map these into your growth budget early. 

• Strong IP positions raise market value, deter copycats, and shorten investor due diligence cycles. 

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