In a very competitive environment, businesses are striving to keep an edge over their competitors and this is often realised through their IP assets.  

IP assets come in various forms, including patents which protect inventions, trademarks which protect and identify the source of names and logos, copyright which protects works like literature, computer programmes and architectural designs, and designs which protect the aesthetic features of an object. Trade secrets may be any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information which is used in a business and which may give the business an advantage over competitors who do not know or use that secret.