Frequently Asked Questions

Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets

What are intangible assets?

Intangible assets (IA) are assets that are non-physical in nature, owned by you or your business. These include both intellectual property (IP), such as patents, trademarks, and registered designs, as well as other non-registrable assets, like know-how, data and key relationships. Each company will have its own unique mix of IA and IP types, which make up the ingredients to its ‘secret sauce.

For a textbook definition, International Accounting Standard (IAS) 38 defines IA as identifiable (either being separable or arising from contractual or other legal rights), non-monetary assets without physical substance. IA largely comprise IP and other assets that grant potential economic benefits to the owner.

What is the difference between intangible assets and intellectual property?

Intangible assets (IA) comprise both intellectual property (IP) and other non-registrable assets, such as know-how, data, and key relationships. Simply put, IP may be considered a subset of IA.

For more information on IP, IPOS has a wealth of resources on patentstrade marksregistered designscopyrightgeographical indicationsplant varieties protection, and confidential information.

What are the different types of intangible assets?
Copyright

Copyright protects the expression of ideas in the form of literary or artistic works, such as novels, videos, music, photographs, and other media works. It also applies to computer software. While copyright covers all content produced by a company, only certain assets may be of significant value on their own.

Registered Design

Registered designs protect the aesthetic look of an article or non-physical product, like its shape, pattern, or configuration.

Patent

Patents protect the functional elements of a technology or “how it works”. A patent should provide a technical solution, and an aspect of the solution must be novel, inventive and non-obvious.

Brand

Brand refers to the way businesses’ products and services are experienced by consumers, along with market and customer opinions of the company. Having a brand helps to maintain a company’s distinction in the marketplace even if a competitor is offering a similar product. Additionally, different forms of protection over a brand are by themselves also IA, which include registered and unregistered trade marks, and domain names.

Registered Trade Mark

Registered trade marks provide a formal registration to protect the brand from confusingly similar brands in the marketplace.

Unregistered Trade Mark

Unregistered trade marks refer to a brand’s reputation, awareness among consumers, and offerings. Unlike registered trade marks, these rights arise from “use”, and is not registered.

Domain Name

Internet addresses which contribute to online branding may be protected. Domain names provide another consumer touchpoint, which enhances overall brand presence.

Data

Valuable data is either unique in origin or history, provides important insight, or has an associated value proposition. Read also: Safeguarding Your Competitive Edge

This can range from client databases, estimated market size, actual number of products or services purchased, to milestone numbers that can predict trends. Read also: From Pulling Data to Pushing Borders

Trade Secrets / Know-how

Registered trade marks provide a formal registration to protect the brand from confusingly similar brands in the marketplace.

 

What is IP management and how is it useful for my business?

Intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets (IA) can be key drivers for business success. Understanding IA and how to manage them well can build strong foundations for growth and expansion, as well as create new revenue streams.

Good IP management involves effectively identifying, prioritising and securing IP rights essential to your business. It also extends beyond protection to monetisation, by leveraging your IA to seize business opportunities, tide over and thrive in challenging times, and even secure investor funding for growth.

How do I know if I have intangible assets that should be protected or managed?

Book a complimentary 45-minute chat with us on your intangible assets (IA) today! Following a deeper understanding of your business, our IP Strategists will be able to advise on questions such as:

  • How do I know if my company has any valuable IA?
  • What are the possible risks if my company does not take care of its IA?
  • What is the most effective way to protect my innovations?
  • What should I look out for when my company is planning to expand overseas?
  • What are the key things to take note of in a joint-venture agreement?
  • How can better IA management help to increase the value of my company?
  • I am keen to develop an IA strategy but how should I start?

Tender/Quotation Notices

How do I participate in the Notice listed?

To participate, you must register your company with TenderBoard. Once TenderBoard has verified and approved the registration, you will be able to participate in the invited opportunities.

Who can register as a supplier?

All suppliers who are supplying products or services are eligible.

How long does it take for my registration to be approved?

TenderBoard will normally approve the newly registered vendor within 1 working day.

Do I need to make any payment to participate?

In general, no payment is required to participate.

Why I am not able to login?

Below are the possible causes for not being able to login:

·       Your registration application has not been approved

·       You have not activated your account

·       You have either entered a wrong Login ID or Password

Can I submit multiple files?

Multiple file submissions can be done so long total file size is not more than 20MB.

I have submitted the wrong proposal, what should I do?

You need to re-submit a revised proposal before the Tender/Quotation closing date/time. The newly submitted proposal will overwrite the previous submission.

I have submitted my proposals, but I have corrections. What should I do?

You need to re-submit a revised proposal before the Tender/Quotation closing date/time. The newly submitted proposal will overwrite the previous submission.

How do I know if the Tender / Quotation has been awarded?

We will inform you via email.

How do I post my questions regarding the Tender/Quotation?

You can post all your questions via the “ASK” function.

How do I know if my questions are answered?

You will receive an email alert pertaining to your questions asked. Alternatively, you can proceed to the TenderBoard listing page to see the reply.

Other than the “ASK” function, who can I contact directly?

You can contact IPOS International Procurement at [email protected].

Before the closing date/time can anybody see my submissions?

No, your submissions can only be seen after the closing date/time.

Why is the Tender/Quotation Notice list empty?

It means there is no Open Opportunity available at the moment.

What are the security measures taken to protect my data?

Your submitted data is hosted in Cloud and the data protection is provided by the Cloud service provider.

What browser is supported?

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge.

I no longer want to be IPOS International eSourcing Partner. How do I deactivate my account?

Please inform TenderBoard at [email protected] and they will deactivate your account.