In Depth

Intellectual Property Security: Don't Lose Your Head

Intellectual property isn't always easy to identify. It's even harder to protect. Here's how CSOs can work with others to protect their companies' future.

By Simone Kaplan

Uslan understands why he needs to keep more than his finger plugged in the proverbial dike. IP loss affects everyone at Sony and beyond. "IP theft means revenue that we can't pass down to the script writers, the prop masters, the costume designers, all the people who work hard on films," he explains. "When someone gets a movie for free on the Web, for instance, instead of going to a theater, it's a slap in the face." He's also seen what happens when people get complacent about IP security. "It's when you think you've got all the bases covered that something big goes wrong. You have to stay on top of the process."

It's easy for CSOs to place the protection of ideas a lot lower on the priority list than protecting buildings and employees. Like Uslan says, CSOs get comfortable protecting what they know. Still, "intellectual property is what keeps your company viable in the market," says the National Intellectual Property Law Institute's Chandler. "And CSOs must make protecting intellectual assets one of their highest priorities." Nothing less than the future of your company depends on it.

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