What are intellectual property rights and assets?
Intellectual property rights and intangible assets concern what you have created – whether you have protected it legally or built it up over time. Rights give you exclusive control over names, technology, designs, and expressions. Assets are intangible resources such as expertise, relationships, and reputation. Both can provide you with advantages in the market and increase the value of your business.
The difference between rights and assets
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they serve different roles. Intellectual property rights provide you with legal protection and control over what you have created, while intangible assets give you strategic advantages – even when you do not hold a formal right.
For example, you may have a strong reputation without a registered right, or you may hold a patent that creates little value in practice if it is not used.
Rights are about ownership and protection. Assets are about knowledge, technology, and relationships that build trust, credibility, and market position.
What are intellectual property rights?
Intellectual property rights are legal exclusive rights to what you have developed, such as ideas, solutions, expressions, and designs. They give you control over use and prevent others from copying or exploiting your work.
Examples of intellectual property rights:
- Patents – protect technical solutions and inventions
- Trademarks – protect names, logos, or slogans
- Design rights – protect the appearance of products or packaging
- Copyright – protects text, music, images, and software
- Trade secrets – protect confidential knowledge
Why intellectual property rights are useful:
- You gain ownership and exclusivity
- You can stop copying and misuse
- You can generate income through licensing or sales
- You are in a stronger position in negotiations and investments
What are intangible assets?
Intangible assets are non-physical resources that can play a crucial role in the success of a business. They cannot always be registered, but they are often highly valuable because they strengthen your position with customers, partners, and competitors.
Examples of intangible assets include:
- Knowledge and expertise
- Digital solutions and technology
- Customer data and relationships
- Brand and reputation
- Business models and internal processes
Why these assets matter:
- They give you a competitive advantage in the market
- They build trust and strengthen your brand
- They can represent significant value without formal rights
- They can often be reinforced through intellectual property rights
How Anna protects her idea – in the right order
Anna had a great idea and needed patent, trademark, and design protection. This guide shows how she secured her rights – in the right order, without wasting time or money.
90%
of a company’s value lies in intangibles.
Other forms of protection
Company name
When starting your own business, it is essential to establish an identity that shows who you are. A registrered company name also prevents others from registering a company with the same name.
Domain name
If you have chosen a company name, you may also want a website to promote your business. It is wise to check if the domain name is available before registering your company name.
Licensing
Leverage your intellectual property rights by granting others permission to use a software program you hold the copyright to, a trademark, a patent, or other intellectual property rights.
Responsibility mark
A gold, silver, or platinum item that is stamped with a fineness mark must also be stamped with a responsibility mark.
Collective marks and guarantee or certification marks
Collective marks and guarantee or certification marks are marks that groups of people can obtain the right to use.
Plant breeder’s rights
Plant breeder’s rights are an exclusive right to commercially exploit a plant variety.
Get help from a professional advisor
Develop, secure, and manage your rights
Make a plan to protect and grow your assets
It is important to consider how your intangible assets should be managed and developed. It is wise to create a solid plan for protecting these assets and avoiding poor investments. This is known as an IP strategy.
Learn more about IP strategy
It is possible to pledge intangible rights
A pledge on a patent or trademark serves as security to ensure that an obligation is fulfilled, for example, that a loan is repaid. The pledge thus reduces the lender’s risk. You can also pledge licenses to such rights.
Read more about pledging intellectual property rights
IPR Insurance
Litigation insurance for intellectual property rights – also called IPR insurance – can significantly reduce the financial risk if you need to cover large costs for legal fees, court proceedings, or compensation to defend your intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks, or designs.
Read more about IPR insurance