What is Intellectual Property?

What are intellectual property rights?

IP rights legally protect your idea and give you the exclusive rights to profit from them. There are four IP right types you can register with us — trade marks, patents, design rights and plant breeder's rights.

Different types of IP

Behind a glowing lightbulb, a group of business people are gathered around a table discussing a new idea.

A large red circle with a white centre has a thick charcoal line across the middle, containing BOND STREET in white text.

Tips for protecting your unique ideas

Avoid these common IP-related mistakes to set yourself up for success.

1. Know your IP

Identify your IP assets. What sets your organisation apart from competitors? Understand what your IP is worth to understand if it's worth protecting.
2. Do your research

Research the market to understand your competitors and consumers. Ensure your ideas are new and don't infringe on existing IP rights.
3. Beware of publicity

It's important not to share your idea until your IP right is registered. Publishing your idea before it's protected may prevent you from claiming ownership of your IP.
4. Keep it confidential

If you must talk about your IP to others, use a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect yourself. You can use our IP contract generator to create one for you.
5. Don't wait until it's too late

It's important to be sure of your IP before you register it to avoid costly mistakes. But, the longer your IP goes unprotected, the higher the risk of others adopting it.