Knowing what you hold.
WHY IT MATTERS
Rights are lost through inattention more often than through disputes.
WHAT TO RECORD
Trademarks: mark, classes, country, number, dates
Patents and designs, similarly Copyright works of significance Domain names Trade secrets, by category Licences granted and received
WHAT TO RECORD FOR EACH
What it is Who owns it Where it is registered Registration and renewal dates Who handles it
WHY RENEWAL DATES MOST OF ALL
Missed renewals lose rights permanently and irrecoverably.
WHAT TO CALENDAR
Every renewal, with substantial notice.
WHY SUBSTANTIAL
Renewals require preparation and sometimes evidence of use.
WHAT TO RECORD ABOUT DOMAINS
Registrar, expiry, and who controls the account.
WHY THAT LAST POINT
Domains registered in an agency's name are a common and damaging loss.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That every domain and registration is in the company's name.
WHAT TO DO IF ANY IS NOT
Transfer it now.
WHAT TO ATTACH
Certificates, assignments and agreements.
WHERE TO KEEP IT
Somewhere more than one person can access.
WHAT TO REVIEW ANNUALLY
The whole register Whether anything new should be protected Whether anything is no longer worth maintaining
WHAT TO DO ABOUT RIGHTS NO LONGER NEEDED
Let them lapse deliberately, rather than by accident.
