How to protect your intellectual property

Test your knowledge

I hired a software developer to make my app. Now that they’re done their work and I’ve paid them, I own the rights to this software. Correct?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Maybe

Intellectual property, or IP, refers to intangible assets — those that have no physical presence. Unlike tangible assets — cash, inventory, a building — IP is abstract, so it’s hard to quantify. It’s more about protecting certain rights to a thing than the thing itself. But in our increasingly digital world, a small business’ intellectual property is often among its most valuable assets. Learn about the different categories of IP and how to best safeguard your legal rights.

What you should know

Protect your IP rights

Who can help

  • This information applies to British Columbia, Canada
  • Reviewed for legal accuracy in December 2021
  • Time to read: 12 minutes

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

David Kandestin, People's Law School

David Kandestin

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