IP can drive value for your business, from delivering competitive advantages to creating revenue streams. Knowing what IP you have and its strategic importance to your business is an important step in realizing the potential of these assets. An IP audit is a first step towards making these assets work for you.
While using IP strategically can have tremendous benefits for your business, using the IP of others without permission can have devastating consequences. An IP audit can also reveal vulnerabilities for your business, that could ultimately lead to pulling your offerings from the market or paying damages to a third party.
You can use WIPO’s IP Diagnostic tool to support the process. At some stage, a professional support can be helpful to reveal hidden risks and potential. You can use the information you learn to build an IP strategy, create new revenue streams, or reduce risk to your business.
An IP audit reviews the IP owned and used by your business. During an audit you can:
Keeping in mind the purpose of the IP audit, you can start the process by gathering information, such as:
Depending on the purpose of the IP audit and available budget, some of the following analyses may take place:
An IP audit helps you understand your company’s IP assets and their potential. It should also identify IP related risks. But the audit is only the first step. Following the audit, make sure your approach to IP matches your company’s commercial objectives.
Remember, IP can change in value as technology and business contexts change. Conducting regular IP audits play an important role in making these assets work for your business.