New guide to help stop employees infringing intellectual property rights

Introduction

Now

Summary

The Intellectual Property Office has published guidance to help businesses stop their staff infringing other people's intellectual property rights - for example, by downloading unauthorised software - whether they do so for work or personal reasons.

Infringement creates a risk of viruses and other security breaches, and reduces the time staff spend working. Employers can sometimes end up in court as a result of their employee's activities.

The guidance explains why infringement matters, explains the different types of infringement, identifies problem areas, helps you assess the risk of infringements for your business, helps you spot infringements when they occur, and identifies steps you can take to protect your business, and deal with infringements if they are detected.