10 Reasons to protect your intellectual property from intellectual "borrowers"

          Intellectual property is an intangible entity. It does not have a physical existence or a price tag attached to it. It is the result of a person’s thinking and vision. Consequently it is that person’s intellectual property. But the internet age has made us insensitive to this aspect. We often don’t respect a person’s hold over his intellectual property. This has led to what we now call ‘intellectual theft’.

                  Some do it out of ignorance. But there are some others who steal knowledge in spite of being aware of the consequences. Greed and laziness prompt several people to commit intellectual theft. Some people even commit it for the sake of adrenaline rush that the theft gives. Some do it out of spite while some just do it for the money that the idea brings in.

              Whatever be the reason, intellectual theft is highly condemnable. It reflects the low moral values of the person and it is extremely unfair to the victim. It is thus necessary to protect your intellectual property. 

Here are ten reasons as to why you should protect your intellectual property:

1.      Piracy and counterfeiting are forms of intellectual theft. Your business will be dealt a serious blow if your intellectual property is not protected.

2.    The trademark of several American companies has been copied by several companies abroad. These companies are using the features of the American companies to sell their products. They are depriving American companies of potential markets.

3.    Trade secrets are an integral part of intellectual property. If they are revealed they will threaten the very existence of your business.

4.    If the unique and cost cutting design that your company uses is stolen, it increases your competition.

5.     Invention of a product that has the potential to cater to millions is another idea that can be stolen. If stolen, it can deprive you of the credit for the invention.

6.    Some of your ideas could be potentially worth a lot of money. It is necessary to protect them sufficiently so you can enjoy the fruit of your hard work.

7.     Some ideas are modified and used to make profit. But the person who contributed the core idea is given no share if his idea was not protected.

8.    The resources invested in popularizing your product could be of no use if others are using your trademark to sell their products. This loss can be prevented by protecting your intellectual property.

9.    Intellectual theft deprives you and your organization of the ‘unique’ status.

10. Your intellectual property is your asset, it should remain yours exclusively.

 Thus, it is very important to protect what is yours for the sake of your tutoring organization.

Intellectual Property 102: What are Trademarks and how does it apply to your Tutoring Business?

              A ‘Trademark’ is any sign that renders a product unique. Trademarks are used by individuals or organizations for their products or services. Trademark guarantees genuine quality of a product to its consumer. A trademark also helps the customer distinguish one provider from the other.

              Trademark exists in different forms. It can be a logo or a phrase or a symbol or a combination of all of these. Some of the non conventional forms of trademark include smell, colour or even sound. A registered trademark cannot be used by anyone other than the person or the organization that owns the trademark. If used they can be subjected to legal proceedings.

                A trademark is the identity of a product. It stands as a symbol that reflects the authenticity of a product. Its misuse could mar a product’s image in the market. Thus trademark infringement has to be prevented. The law comes to the aid as it gives the power to the trademark owner to initiate action against the infringement.

                Trademark is not limited to a product. It is also used to refer to a set of qualities that uniquely identify a person. The way a person dresses or the accessories a person is always seen with become the trademark of that person. They provide a different form of identity to a person unlike their name or personality.

                Similarly a service can have a trademark too. It is given the name ‘service mark’ instead of ‘trademark’. This term is extensively used in the Unites States. Service mark is an apt term as it is providing unique distinction to the service provided.

                 Unlike a product, selling service is tricky. The intangible nature of the service does not help. But the track record of the service provider and timely delivery of the service assume paramount importance. Thus, excellent track record and timely delivery must become the ‘service mark’ of any service provider.

                  Tutoring business is one of the fastest growing services today. Extreme competition in all walks of life has left people yearning for more. Every student wants to possess an edge over the other and is hence seeking out the aid of tutors. A student considers the track record of the tutor before selecting the best tutor. The teachers and cost occupy the next criteria. To attract maximum number of students to your tutoring business it is necessary that your business has commendable track record and experienced staff as your trademark.

                Tutoring business is at its peak now and it is the right time to make the most of it. But to be successful, it is necessary to have the right attributes as your trademark.