The purpose of Intellectual property rights is to protect the financial interests of creators and companies. Luckily, as seen with copyright and trademark, some protection is automatically awarded to creators. However, it's always best to register your intellectual property with the appropriate organization for optimal protection.
Additionally, if you're going to discuss your work with an external party, always utilize a ProductLink code="NONDIS" text="Non-Disclosure Agreement" or ProductLink code="CONFID" text="Confidentiality Agreement".
Whether you've branded your company, made a groundbreaking invention, or created a useful computer program, being proactive in the protection of your creations will help you fully capitalize on your intellectual property.