(Getty Images)
World Intellectual Property Day is set aside to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) retain the creative rights to their images, brand, content, and other materials that make them unique.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, in 2024, small businesses comprised 99.9% of U.S. companies (33.3 million) and employed 45.9% of the workforce (61.6 million). In Canada, small businesses made up 98% of all businesses in 2024 and employed over 10 million people, according to Made in CA. While large organizations have personnel and departments dedicated to IP protection, start-ups, and SMEs often need more expertise and resources to protect their intellectual property, leaving them particularly vulnerable to IP exploitation and loss.
How can your business get involved with World Intellectual Property Day?
- Educate employees and customers. Host a webinar or training session on IP rights, trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Share informative blog posts or social media content explaining how IP protection benefits businesses and consumers. BBB has tips on what to know after you file for a trademark or patent.
- Showcase innovations and success stories. Highlight how your business has used IP to grow and protect its brand. You can also share stories of how innovation has helped your industry evolve.
- Engage with local and global events. Participate in WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) events or collaborate with local chambers of commerce. Join industry discussions on how IP laws impact businesses.
- Offer special promotions or collaborations. If you're in a creative industry, promote exclusive, IP-protected designs, products, or services. Partner with local inventors or artists to celebrate innovation.
- Review and strengthen your own IP protections. Conduct an IP audit to ensure trademarks, copyrights, and patents are up to date. Educate staff on protecting trade secrets and avoiding infringement risks.
Business owners can learn more at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.