Intellectual Property Agreements

IP rights can be exploited in several ways:

• Licensing: Licensing your IP rights to third parties allowing them to produce products under your brand, generating income for you.
• Franchising: Granting permission to third parties to replicate your business model or produce your products in different locations.
• Converting Infringers: Identifying infringers and converting them into licensees through creating licensing deals.

Registering IP licences and assignments is crucial because:

• Jurisdictional Requirements: Some jurisdictions mandate registration in order to allow the proprietor/licensee to take legal action or maximize recoveries.
• Public Notification: It informs others of your rights, thereby protecting your interests.
• Damage Recovery: Registration can help you recover more substantial damages and costs in case of infringement.

Having a licence in place is essential for several reasons:

• Usage Proof: For trade marks, it is necessary to show that they are used by the proprietor or with the proprietor's consent within five years. Therefore, the licence will evidence the use of a trade mark.
• Regulation of Use: A licence agreement allows you to set conditions on how your trade mark is used, such as specifying fonts, colours, and preventing derogatory use.

The most common types of IP agreements are IP licences, which often serve as the foundation for other agreements. These include:

• Licensing agreements
• Franchise agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Sponsorship agreements
• R&D agreements

IP licences are integral to various business arrangements, ensuring proper use and exploitation of intellectual property rights.