Copyrightable materials include computer programs, manuals, brochures, charts and sales materials. Infringement of registered copyrights include both money damages and injunctive relief. Copyright protection can extend to as much as 100 years from the date of creation. The owner of a copyright has exclusive rights to the reproduction of that work including distribution and the creation of derivative works. Copyrights can be licensed much like trademarks and patents.
Trade secrets can carry great value.
For example, the formula for Coca Cola is a trade secret. A comprehensive intellectual property audit can be undertaken to determine the scope and value of a holding company s intellectual property portfolio. The audit enables the company to account for, itemize and evaluate current holdings, as well as provide a framework for establishing procedures so that future intellectual property is properly protected and valued. The audit will permit the company to determine what it owns, either for its own use or for licensing to others. It will also allow the company to identify and track opportunities related to the leveraging of intellectual property assets which are developed by third parties contractors such as software companies.