Entrepreneurs often protect physical equipment while neglecting the things that make their business recognisable or commercially unique. A logo, software system, product design or brand can have significant commercial value that deserves the same protection as physical assets.
Source: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a company name automatically a trademark?
No — company-name registration and trademark protection are different processes.
Can software be intellectual property?
Yes — software can attract copyright protection, while certain underlying inventions may potentially qualify for other forms of protection.
Why should a small business care about intellectual property?
Because intellectual property can distinguish the business from competitors and become a valuable commercial asset.