Why Intellectual Property Matters – The importance of intellectual property for small and medium-sized enterprises

Esteban Burrone, Consultant, WIPO

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 2000)

This presentation will focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their use of the intellectual property (IP) system. It will begin by looking at the innovative capacity of SMEs and how this is reflected in their use of the IP system. It will then consider the available data on SMEs and IP and point to SMEs'low use of the IP system when compared to large enterprises. The third and fourth sections will look into the main reasons why SMEs should devote greater attention to the IP system highlighting the benefits that may be drawn from the effective protection, monitoring and enforcement of a company's intellectual property assets. The presentation will conclude by outlining the main elements of an effective IP strategy for SMEs.