Rise in small businesses defending their intellectual property

More small businesses are bringing claims to the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), according to a new report.

The number of claims heard by IPEC last year reached a record high.

Claims rose eight per cent from 2016’s figure of 339 to 367 in 2017.

Overall, claims have risen by 28 per cent over the past five years, law firm Hugh James said.

IPEC is a forum for small businesses to protect their IP and deals with claims of up to £500,000.

The report states rising claims are a result of “increased awareness” amongst companies of a need to protect this type of asset.

“Growing numbers of technology companies, in particular, are using the court, as IP will often represent their most valuable asset,” it states.

Tracey Singlehurst-Ward, a partner at Hugh James (pictured), said: “Small businesses are showing they are prepared to go all the way to the courts to protect their IP.

“While manufacturing companies continue to a large proportion of cases to the IPEC, more tech companies are using it to protect their assets.”