Why should I care about intellectual property?

“Patents are often a tool used to defend an idea from attack and are effective in any discussions between start-ups… The strongest value of the patent is often when the company gets sold because acquirers like patents. They perceive a patent portfolio as a real asset.”

Dr Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Director, High-Tech Gründerfonds
“SMEs that have filed at least one IP right are 21% more likely to experience a growth period afterwards & are 10% more likely to become a high growth firm”

Source: EPO, EUIPO, May 2019
“It’s essential for SMEs and start-ups to fully recognise the potential of smart IP management, which by far exceeds managing legal processes and IP portfolios, but should be seen as an integral part of a company’s general business strategy and corporate development.”

Jörg Scherer, Coordinator of the European IP Helpdesk, an IP service initiative for European SMEs funded by the European Commission.