{"id":949,"date":"2021-05-24T11:51:43","date_gmt":"2021-05-24T10:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mathys-squire.com\/scaleup-quarter\/?p=949"},"modified":"2023-06-28T12:55:25","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T11:55:25","slug":"do-you-track-your-competitors-ip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mathys-squire.com\/scaleup-quarter\/do-you-track-your-competitors-ip\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you track your competitors’ IP?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you track your competition’s intellectual property?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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24 May
2021<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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5 mins<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What are the benefits of tracking your competitors?<\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As businesses develop, so do their ideas and offerings. This often leads to an expansion in a business\u2019 IP portfolio. Due to the public disclosure associated with intellectual property (IP) rights, monitoring your competitors\u2019 application filings may provide insight into their future offerings and business direction. You may then use this to inform your own business strategy, for example to launch competing products, or avoid an overcrowded market segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trade mark applications in the UK require the applicant to either be currently using the trade mark, or have a bona fide intention to use it. Therefore, whilst not a fool-proof method, by tracking a competitor\u2019s trade mark filings you may be able to anticipate the launch of a new product or service. The trade mark application also requires a disclosure of all goods and services relating to the use of the mark which may help you to anticipate the scope and direction of the new offering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monitoring patent application filings is another way to track a competitor\u2019s IP. Although European and UK patent applications may only be published approximately 18 months after the filing date, this can still provide a valuable insight as it may take several years for a commercialised product to reach market. For example, tracking patents may provide insight into what your competitor is working on and their likely commercial direction, which could inform your own IP filing strategy. Furthermore, tracking applications could identify if one of your in-development products may potentially infringe your competitor\u2019s patent application, if granted. This could offer you the opportunity to design around your competitor\u2019s invention at an early stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, registered design applications can also be tracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further potential benefits for tracking your competitors\u2019 IP may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n