Complete guide to intellectual property insurance 18^th July 2022

How often have you heard the phrase intellectual property? Any creation that stems from one's mind or intellect is called intellectual property. It can take any form, starting from a painting, a design, an invention, or a tune. There is no set category for intellectual property.

An intellectual property, more commonly known as IP, is the foundation of a new creation. It is imperative to protect your IP to avoid fraudulent use or reproduction. There are many ways in which one can ensure that their ideas are not plagiarised or used without proper consent. Patents, copyrights, and trademarks are a few ways to protect IP.

Did you know that there exists an insurance for intellectual property? This article will shed light on intellectual property insurance and everything you need to know about it.

Let's understand what intellectual property insurance is:

Intellectual property insurance helps companies or individuals to cover the cost of litigation and court trials in case of being accused of IP violation. It also covers those who want to sue a company with an IP violation lawsuit. With the growing number of startups, IP has become a valuable asset. It is the foundation of a company's ethics, and a solid IP can help it reach new heights.

The increasing competition and the need to leave a mark in the venture capital market have led to various fraudulent cases of IP infringement. Since IP is one of the most valuable assets in recent times, the cost of IP litigation is expensive. Intellectual property insurance is a must to cover the cost of the exorbitant court proceedings.

Types of IP insurance:

Let's take a look at the kinds of IP insurance available –

1. Infringement defence:
This policy is for those who need to be safeguarded against a party who claims IP infringement against them. This defensive insurance policy acts as a safety net for companies that are held accountable for infringing patents, trademarks, or copyrights. Since the litigation costs for these cases can be very high, the policyholder need not worry about the costs. The policy provider is bound to make payments for all litigation expenses, settlement amounts, and other damages.

2. Abatement enforcement coverage:
This policy is for those IP holders who need assistance and resources to enforce their IP rights and claim infringement against others. This enforcement coverage enables the company to proceed with the legal proceedings without worrying about the legal fees. This policy also ensures that any damage is paid in full to the policyholder if the opposing party decides to counter-sue.

Big and small companies have claimed that the biggest challenge they face at the beginning of a new product launch is intellectual property risk. Various trade secrets, product building, and marketing strategies fall under intellectual property. IP insurance cover will protect your product in the market and help evade baseless lawsuits.

Intellectual property insurance offers a wide range of covers, including but not limited to infringement liability, contractual liability, enforcement, intellectual property rights protection, and other disputes. Add covers, and customise your insurance needs depending on the company or product you intend to launch in the market.

Over the years, we have seen various technological advancements bloom, with start-ups shaping the country's future. Putting in years of hard work only to realise that your work or idea has been copied by someone else can be one of the most frustrating and painful experiences. To avoid such situations for yourself and your company, do not forget to buy general insurance online. As discussed above, these insurances will significantly help anyone looking to claim or deny an infringement. All one needs to do is in-depth research on the insurance category to invest and look out for the best available options. Hard work has no substitute, and so does security.

Click HERE to buy general insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.