Skip to content
Fishburners Logo
  • Memberships & Support
    • Fishburners Co Working Space Sydney CBD
    • Online Founders Hub
    • Fishburners Services Hub
    • Memberships & Pricing
    • Our Perks & Discounts
  • Opportunities
    • Partner with Fishburners
    • Promote Your Service
    • Our Perks & Discounts
    • Free Founders Bootcamp
    • What We Offer
  • Venue + Boardroom Hire
  • Subscribe to the Burner
  • What’s On
  • News & Updates
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Support

    Supporting you
    through every stage

    Support

    • What We Offer
    • Online Founders Hub
    • Fishburners Co Working Space Sydney CBD
    • Memberships & Pricing
    • Fishburners Services Hub
    • What We Offer
    • Online Founders Hub
    • Fishburners Co Working Space Sydney CBD
    • Memberships & Pricing
    • Fishburners Services Hub

    Resources

    • Startup Fast Pass
    • Female Founders Program: The Ascent Project
    • Free Founders Bootcamp
    • Events What’s On
    • Our Perks & Discounts
    • Fishburners Success Stories
    • Startup Fast Pass
    • Female Founders Program: The Ascent Project
    • Free Founders Bootcamp
    • Events What’s On
    • Our Perks & Discounts
    • Fishburners Success Stories
  • Events

    Get Connected

    • Subscribe to the Burner
    • Latest Events
    • News & Updates
    • Subscribe to the Burner
    • Latest Events
    • News & Updates

    Host Your Next Event

    • Corporate Venue Hire
    • The Board Rooms
    • The Workshop Space
    • The Large Event Space
    • Corporate Venue Hire
    • The Board Rooms
    • The Workshop Space
    • The Large Event Space

    What's Happening in Fishburners

  • Opportunities

    Opportunities to grow with Fishburners

    Get Involved

    • Partner with Fishburners
    • Promote Your Service
    • Apply to Pitch
    • Contact Us
    • Partner with Fishburners
    • Promote Your Service
    • Apply to Pitch
    • Contact Us

    Programs

    • Startup Fast Pass
    • Female Founders Program: The Ascent Project
    • Free Founders Bootcamp
    • Events What’s On
    • Our Perks & Discounts
    • Fishburners Success Stories
    • Startup Fast Pass
    • Female Founders Program: The Ascent Project
    • Free Founders Bootcamp
    • Events What’s On
    • Our Perks & Discounts
    • Fishburners Success Stories
  • About Us
  • Login

5 Quick Tips for Startups on IP 101

  • February 1, 2017
  • Tegan Harlow

Start-ups are a buzz with creativity and innovation, but often have a lot on their plate like raising finances, finding good talent and securing customers. So it’s understandable that thinking about intellectual property (IP) management seems like a waste of precious time and money. However, finding ways to protect your IP is one of the best investments you can make in the long term, even with financial and time pressures.

This editorial will provide a snapshot on IP and give start-ups quick tips on how to protect this intangible asset.

5 quick tips for start-ups

  1. Start-early
    Don’t leave thinking about your IP needs until you’re ready to open the doors. You should be considering IP from your first business canvas as you are working out initial costs and ongoing needs. The best place to get started is the understanding IP section on the IP Australia website.  
  2. Trade marks and business names
    A trade mark and a business name are two different things. Registering your business name with ASIC doesn’t give you full rights over the use of that name.  Find out the difference between the two and why you should consider     registering your brand as a trade mark.
  3. Protect what you own
    IP rights are great on paper, but you must act like you own the right or you may lose it. If you aren’t using your trade mark another business can make a case for your right to be revoked. It’s also up to you to monitor the use of your rights. If you see another business using your trade mark for example, you should seek legal advice to enforce your rights. You can find out more about IP infringements     here on our website.
  4. Publicity traps
     If you are a start-up that requires patents you need to be careful. Imagine you’ve finally had that breakthrough and your invention works. It may be difficult, but don’t jump up and shout about it from the roof-top, in fact, don’t even tell your mum! If you demonstrate, sell or discuss your invention publicly before you file a patent application, you may not be able to get that patent. If you want to discuss it with employees, manufacturing agents or designers, get them to sign a confidentiality agreement first.
  5. IP protection is for everyone
    IP protection is not just for business, it’s for anyone with a new invention, business design, or new plant variety. It helps you protect your interests and it gives you a great bargaining chip when seeking investment in your idea or business. Visit the IP Australia     website to learn more.

There’s a lot more to learn about as you consider registering IP rights for your business, invention or product. The best place to start is the IP Australia Website, where you can find more information about each type of IP right, search for existing rights, or even apply to register a right. Take some time to read more, learn from the experiences of other businesses and figure out how IP can work for you.

Previous
Next

Related Posts

Majella Campbell Martin Karafilis Fishburners

Fishburners Announces CEO Transition as It Embarks on a New Era of Growth

Majella Campbell takes over the reins as CEO, succeeding Martin Karafilis Sydney, February 2025 – Fishburners, Australia’s largest startup community,

Read More

Overcoming Early-Stage Anxiety: How Two Founders Went From Idea to MVP Fast

Tech startups don’t always begin with a team of developers and a big bank account. Sometimes, all it takes is a clear vision, a hunger to learn, and the right community to propel you forward.

Read More

Join the Burner 🔥 to stay updated

Subscribe to the Burner
Facebook-f Linkedin Instagram
Quick Links
  • Startup Blog & News
  • Perks & Discounts
  • Add Additional Team Members
  • Success Stories
  • Contact Us
Join Us
  • Sydney Hub
  • Service Hub
  • Founders Hub
  • Promote Your Service
  • Venue Hire Sydney
  • Board Room Hire
  • Sydney Hub
  • Service Hub
  • Founders Hub
  • Promote Your Service
  • Venue Hire Sydney
  • Board Room Hire
Get In Touch

Level 2,  11-17 York Street, 
Wynyard NSW 2000

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 1800 959 351
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM
  • Terms
  • Founders Hub Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • WHS Policy
  • Whistle Blower Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • © 2025 All Rights Reserved.