Businesses of all sizes depend on their logos and websites to reach customers worldwide.

With visibility on the Internet more important than ever, having a distinctive logo and website has become an invaluable tool for the majority of the UK’s businesses. However, many business owners are not aware of significant dangers when commissioning the creation of logo and website design from a third party agency.

An issue that has landed businesses in trouble in the past and one which I frequently see is in relation to the ownership of copyright of their logos and website. If ownership rights are not dealt with prior to the signing of a commissioning contract, the completed product – whether that be a logo, a website or a piece of software – will belong to the creator of the work, rather than the business which paid for it! It seems unfair, but that is the law.

For example, in the case of logos, it’s important to have copyright assigned to you because if anyone were to copy your logo, it’s only the copyright owner who could legitimately complain. As it’s likely to be you who would want to object rather than the designer who created the logo, you need to own the copyright.

It is possible to secure a transfer of copyright after the design work has been created, but only if the design agency is happy to transfer it to you and this could come at an additional price. Of course, if the agency is not in a position to pass on the necessary rights to you, its reputation could suffer dramatically.

But why take the risk?

The ideal time to discuss copyright ownership rights in the process of hiring a branding agency, web designer or software developer is before any contracts have been agreed.

Smaller businesses rarely have the resources to review contracts with a fine tooth-comb, so they are more commonly caught out by intellectual property pitfalls than larger commercial firms.

Use of intellectual property protection can make or break a business. By properly protecting your logo, website, piece of software or any other intellectual property, you can create valuable assets for your business. However, failing to take the necessary precautions can leave you vulnerable to competitors and the creators of commissioned work.

Do you want to know how to develop a successful brand for your business?

The most valuable property your business might have is ‘Intellectual Property’ (IP). We live in global economy that is largely intangible and centres on ideas. However, ideas on their own have little value.

The successful businesses that make money are those that can turn their ideas into products and services, creating powerful IP in the process.

If you think IP doesn’t mean anything, then think about why half the value of Coca Cola is attributed to its IP. The fortunes generated by Facebook, Lego, Cadbury and Amazon are largely driven by their IP.

Many SMEs spend hours trying to develop their businesses without spending any time at all considering what is involved in creating valuable IP, and securing a good sale.

Bear in mind that raising investments or selling your company will bring into question this crucial topic. Investors and purchasers will have a very different view from what you see as they will be valuing your business based around the IP it holds.

Therefore, ignoring IP puts your revenues and business assets at risk, irrespective of the possible impact on its value.

This event will help you to better understand what is involved to secure your IP so as to maximise the potential of your business.

Why should you attend?

By attending this event, you will understand:
• What you can and cannot protect – the limits of intellectual property.
• Why trade marks matter whether or not you are aiming to create a brand.
• The 20% of actions you can take that give you 80% of the IP protection you need.
• The learning points from real case studies and implications of Brexit.
• 15% discount on Tidman Legal fixed fees when quoting “ECC 21 June”.

Who should attend?

This workshop is aimed at the owners and leaders of SMEs and start-up businesses. If you have aspirations for your business you likely have legal issues you need to know more about.

Who is presenting?

The workshop is presented by Oliver Tidman who is a regular contributor to leading national and international publications on intellectual property law. Oliver is the founder of Tidman Legal and has an extensive background in identifying, protecting, commercialising and enforcing IP. Oliver has advised hundreds of start-ups and SMEs on protecting and exploiting their valuable IP.

Tidman Legal is a leading boutique law firm specialising in intellectual property and business law for entrepreneurs, inventors, start-ups and SMEs. We help you to add value through taking care of your IP.

OK, it sounds good. How much?

This one-hour event is completely free and includes refreshments. The event is held on June 21, from 18:30 – 19:30 at Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, 16 Saint Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SU.

To book your place, click on the green ‘Register button on the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secure-your-business-secure-your-intellectual-property-tickets-33456379933 and click on the green ‘Register’ button.

Brodies was recognised as Scotland Law Firm of the Year for a record-breaking sixth time at the Who’s Who Legal Awards in London last night (15 May).

Brodies lawyers are listed more times in WWL’s editions than any other Scottish firm, and were selected 20 times across 14 practice area publications in total.

The winners were announced at a black tie awards ceremony at Plaisterer’s Hall in London, where the leading lawyers and firms from 35 practice areas and over 50 countries were recognised.

The winners are selected on a range of factors, including feedback received from clients and peers in the research process, past performance in the research and the overall aggregate number of weighted votes cast in their favour.

Rupert Wilson, editor of Who’s Who Legal, said: “Brodies continues to lead our Scottish research, and no other local firm can match the quality of counsel it can offer or the depth of its expertise. The clients and fellow practitioners we spoke to were united in their praise, and we are delighted to once more recognise Brodies as our Scotland Firm of the Year.”

Who’s Who Legal lists only the leading lawyers in each field, based exclusively on the findings of an independent six-month research process that encompasses feedback from private practitioners, clients and other experts in the sector. It is impossible to buy entry into the publication, only the lawyers who score most highly according to our independent international research criteria are listed.

The books are distributed free of charge to thousands of corporate counsel and private practice lawyers from around the world, and the information is also available on www.WhosWhoLegal.com and is updated daily.

Who’s Who Legal is strategic research partner of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law. In 2012, Law Business Research – the parent company of Who’s Who Legal – was recognised for the second time by The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the area of international trade. These awards are the most prestigious a British company can receive.

Commenting on the award, Bill Drummond, Managing Partner of Brodies, said: “We are very pleased that Who’s Who Legal continues to recognise our firm’s progress and our sustained investment in delivering high quality legal services that are relevant to our clients in Scotland, the UK and internationally. We are grateful to our clients for continuing to put their faith in us and to Who’s Who Legal and our peers in the legal profession for recognising Brodies as the stand-out law firm in Scotland for the sixth year running.”