Entrepreneurial success depends on any number of ingredients, but all sound start-ups have one thing in common: a good idea. To safeguard this crucial element, early-stage companies must act—and act early—to protect their unique knowledge. By securing a patent, innovators gain the legal tool with which to protect their intellectual property. Drawing on both industry and legal expertise, burgeoning businesses can take proper action when a competitor infringes on their intellectual property, and are also able to avoid hot water due to infringement on others’ patents.

For more on green tech intellectual property, please see the Cleantech Business News article, “Protect Yourself by Standing Out from the Crowd.”