IP's not just for Big Brands and High Tech Businesses
Sacher Cake Author Illustratedjc Creative Commons Licence Source Wikipedia Jane Lambert At the beginning of the last century there was a bitter dispute between the Hotel Sacher and Demel over the right to sell the original Sacher cake (see the " Legal Issues " section of the article in Wikipedia ). I have been instructed in similar disputes in England (see Fat Betty, Bettys & Taylor Group Ltd. v Cheese & Co. BL O/163/09 16 June 2009) and briefed and consulted by just about every type of business from architects to undertakers. Every type of business owns at least some intellectual assets. It would not be able to function without them. And each and every one of those concerns relies on intellectual property law to remain in business. Starting at its most basic it will have its name and reputation. That may simply be the name of the owner or it may be a fancy name like The Golden Hind. Its products and s...