Understanding Intellectual Property: A Brief Guide for Startups.
You’ve got a brilliant idea, a fantastic new product, or an amazing service to offer. You’re building your startup, you’re excited, but how do you stop someone else from just copying you?
This is where Intellectual Property (IP) comes in.
What is Intellectual Property?
Think of IP as "stuff you’ve created with your brain" that has value. It’s not a physical thing you can hold, but it’s incredibly important for your business.
Let’s break down the main types of IP you’ll come across:
© Copyright
Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. It is like an invisible shield that automatically protects your original creative work. Protecting things you’ve written, drawn, photographed, composed, or coded, sculpted or produced like:
Website text, blog posts, marketing materials
Graphics and images you’ve designed
Software code for your app or platform
Music, films, videos, or podcasts
You don’t need to register copyright in the UK, it’s automatic. There’s no official UK register for copyright, unlike some other countries.
It is a good idea to include a copyright notice on your work, as a gentle indication that you know your rights which can help deter copying. For example:
© [Your Name or Business], [date].
© The Little IP Company Ltd, August 2025.
® ™ Trade Marks
A Trade Mark is a sign that helps customers recognise your business and what you offer. It’s a valuable asset to your business and brand. It conveys messages about your business, brand and reputation, allowing others to find you and trust you. It’s how you stand out from the crowd. This could be your company name, product names, logo, slogan or tagline. In some cases, you can even register distinctive packaging, colours, sounds, gestures, or smells – though these are less common and often harder to protect.
You can get some basic "unregistered" protection just by using your brand name a lot (this is called “passing off”), but the strongest protection in the UK comes from registering your Trade Mark with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
Why register?
A registration gives you exclusive rights to use the mark for the goods and services its registered for;
Makes it easier to stop copycats;
Adds serious value to your business, you can license or even sell it.
Note that Trade marks only protect the sign in connection with the specific goods/services it's registered for. Protection isn’t automatic across all sectors.
Note: Placing ® after your trade mark, tells people that your trade mark is registered. This symbol can only be used if you have a registration with the relevant intellectual property office. If you don’t have a registered trade mark, you can use ™ after a brand name, which indicates to others that you are using the name as a trade mark. Still apply to register the brand name if you can as using ™ doesn’t give you the same protection.
In short:
®= This is legally registered and protected.
™ = This is my brand (claiming unregistered rights)
Tip: Register your key brand elements (business name, product names, logo) as early as possible.
Beware: If someone gets in there before you, they may make you rebrand, so protecting your brand early is important. It gives you peace of mind that you’re starting on the right foot.
Patents
A Patent is like a special VIP pass for your invention. It gives you the exclusive right to stop others from making, using, or selling your invention without permission - for up to 20 years in the UK (as long as you keep up with the renewals).
You can apply for a Patent if you’ve created something like:
A new type of machine or device
A unique process for making something
A new chemical compound or formula (like a new medicine)
To qualify, your invention must be:
New – Not shared anywhere in the world before
Inventive – Not obvious to someone in your field
Industrial – It works and can be made or used
Important: Don’t publicly share or pitch your invention before speaking to a Patent specialist. Once it’s out in the world, it is likely too late to protect it.
Note: We don’t offer patent advice or file patent applications at The Little iP Company — it’s a highly specialised area. But don’t worry! We work closely with trusted UK patent attorneys and can point you in the right direction if you need expert help protecting an invention.
Designs
Design rights protect the visual appearance of your product, how it looks, not how it works (that’s Patent territory).
It protects things like the shape of your product, the pattern on your fabric design, the packaging of your food product, or the layout of a graphic design.
You get some automatic “unregistered” design rights when you create a new design. In the UK, this includes “UK unregistered design right” (for 3D products/designs) and “supplementary unregistered design” (for 2D and 3D designs). These can last up to 15 years from the end of the year it was created or 10 years from first marketing, whichever is shorter.
For stronger protection, you can register your design with the relevant intellectual property office(s). A registered design can last up to 25 years (renewable every 5 years). Design registrations provide you with stronger protection than unregistered rights. A registration gives you a true monopoly over the design and are easier to enforce against infringers than unregistered rights. Placing the registration number on the product or packaging can be effective in deterring copying.
Tip: If your product’s appearance is key to its brand appeal, registering the design is usually worth it. But make sure you file applications within 12 months from first making the design public, otherwise your registration will not be valid.
Why Should You Get To Grips With Your IP?
Because IP gives you real power and real value:
Stop copycats – You can take action if someone rips off your work
Make money – License your IP or use it to attract investors
Add value – A strong IP portfolio makes your business more attractive to buyers or partners
Stand out – Shows you’re serious, professional, and original
Next Steps for Your Startup
Identify your IP: Sit down and think about everything you’ve created. Make a list, what’s your brand name? what’s your logo? what have you designed/created/invented? What’s original?
Decide what to protect: It’s not always possible to protect everything. Prioritise what’s most valuable.
Get advice: This guide is just a starting point and a very brief guide. For specific support, especially with Designs, Trade Marks, or overall strategy, chat with us at The Little iP Company.
Need help with Patents? We don’t handle them in-house, but we’re happy to connect you with a specialist.
Keep it secret (if needed): If you’re thinking of applying for a Patent - or have valuable trade secrets, use NDAs and clear confidentiality agreements.
Final Thoughts
Understanding IP might be a bit daunting at first, but its something that is really important for your business and making sure your brilliant ideas stay your brilliant ideas. It is something that needs to be considered throughout the life of your business.
This guide is just the beginning but knowing what to protect, when, and how can save you time, stress, and money.
For personalised help, get in touch. We’re here to help your ideas grow. 🌱
Wishing you all the best with your startup!