Protecting Your Intellectual Property for Success
- oppenlaender
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
Why IP Matters for Your Science-Based Start-up
If you're thinking about founding a research-based company, IP really matters! Let’s talk about how and why intellectual property can be a key success factor for your science-based start-up.
What Forms of IP Exist?
There are several types of intellectual property to consider:
Trademarks protect names, logos, or symbols that identify your brand.
Design protection covers the appearance of a product – its shape, colour, or pattern.
Copyright safeguards creative works, such as scientific publications, books, or software.
In tech-based start-ups, patents are usually the most relevant form of protection. They cover technical inventions with industrial applicability. A simpler alternative is the utility model, which offers similar protection for less complex innovations.
And don’t forget about unpublished know-how – confidential information like manufacturing processes, biological materials, or proprietary methods. But be aware: know-how is only valuable as long as it remains secret.
Why Protecting Your Intellectual Property Is So Important?
Securing your intellectual property offers major benefits:
Competitive Advantage Protected IP helps prevent competitors from copying your innovation—giving you a clear edge.
Increased Company Value Investors see protecting your Intellectual Property as a sign of credibility and long-term revenue potential.
Licensing Opportunities With solid IP, you can generate income through partnerships or licensing—even without bringing the product to market yourself.
Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Exclusive Support by Max Planck Innovation
At the technology transfer organisation for the Max Planck Society – Max Planck Innovation –, you benefit from exclusive one-on-one support by experienced IP experts who understand both science and business. From patenting to licensing strategy, the team provides highly specialised guidance tailored to your technology and start-up vision.
Explore more about the patenting and marketing support via Max Planck Innovation GmbH.
“Thanks to the individual advice of Max Planck Innovation's patent and licence managers, we have managed to protect our IP by developing a customised strategy. We are very grateful for the competent support. The expertise not only saved us many hours of work, but also opened various doors to the industry.” – Start-up Team AGAS
Take Action Early
Secure your intellectual property to create the best conditions for your start-up. As the technology transfer office, we support you in developing a tailored IP strategy.
Get in touch with us now for individual advice.
