The legal department has for too long been cast to the background and circumvented with its image of pushing back projects with lengthy validation processes. While the IP department puts out fires, this also means that the wider company does not see the successes that take place behind-the-scenes, noticing only when something goes wrong. In house IP counsels must be equipped to raise awareness around the importance of IP within the compliance, privacy and brand protection framework, in order to ensure themselves a seat at the business table.

• Understand the importance of communicating to upper management the resources and visibility the IP department needs to succeed and continue to protect the company’s assets
• Assess key ways in which peers have educated other departments to demonstrate the importance of IP and mitigate risks caused by misunderstanding and/or unfamiliarity with the function
• Explore the value of promoting the IP department’s responsibilities cross-functionally in order to limit leaks and ensure compliance and the continued good reputation of the brand