Intellectual property inventory checklist

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Except as otherwise specifically noted, the information in this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring the accuracy of the information reproduced, that CIPO is identified as the source institution, and that the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the information reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, CIPO.

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Use this checklist to explore the types of intellectual property you could exploit.

Do not include intangibles that are licensed from or owned by other companies!

Intellectual property inventory checklist
Holding Yes No IP to consider Actions to considerFootnote *
Advertising or signage     Trademark
Copyright		 Include an indication of copyright and/or trademark rights
Algorithm     Trade secret Require NDAsFootnote 1 or do not disclose!
Book, magazine, newsletter or manual     Copyright Include a copyright statement in a prominent location (year of first publication, owner, ©)
Business, product or service name     Trademark Include an indication of trademark rights
Customer list or data     Trade secret
Copyright		 Require NDAs or do not disclose!
Include a copyright statement if it is a compilation
Domain name     Trademark Search trademark databases to ensure your domain name is not someone else's trademark
Logo or symbol     Trademark Include an indication of trademark rights
Mobile app     Copyright
Industrial design		 Include a copyright statement on your app or download site Industrial design
Maintain confidentiality until filing design registration for your graphical user interface; use NDAs
New or improved machine or device     Patent Maintain confidentiality until a patent application is filed; use NDAs
New or improved process or chemical compound     Patent Maintain confidentiality until a patent application is filed; use NDAs
Packaging     Industrial design
Trademark

Maintain confidentiality until filing design registration; use NDAs
Include an indication of trademark rights
Photographs or illustrations     Copyright
Industrial design		 Include a copyright statement in a prominent location (year of first publication, owner, ©)
Maintain confidentiality until filing design registration if applied on a finished article; use NDAs
Secret recipe, process or formula     Trade secret Use NDAs; or if it can be easily reverse-engineered, seek patent protection!
Slogan     Trademark Include an indication of trademark rights
Software     Copyright
Industrial design
Patent		 Include a copyright statement in a prominent location (year of first publication, owner, ©)
Maintain confidentiality until filing design registration for your graphical user interface; use NDAs
Ask the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for information on software-related patents (related concepts)
Establish ownership with suppliers or clients through written agreement
Training materials     Copyright Include a copyright statement in a prominent location (year of first publication, owner, ©)
Shape of a product     Industrial design Maintain confidentiality until filing for design registration; use NDAs
Website     Copyright
Industrial design		 Include a copyright statement in a prominent location (year of first publication, owner, ©)
Maintain confidentiality until filing design registration for graphical user interface; use NDAs

Visit Canada.ca/intellectualproperty for more information on IP.

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