Why Do Companies Need IP Guidance?

“Innovation doesn’t pause. But without IP guidance, opportunities often slip away unnoticed.”

Q: If we already have lawyers, why do we need an IP advisor?
A: Legal support handles filings and compliance, but an IP officer brings strategy – aligning protection with business goals, funding, and expansion.

Q: Won’t this undermine senior IP leaders?
A: Not at all. YIPO is designed for companies without an internal IP lead. Where in-house leaders exist, we complement, not replace them.

Q: What’s the biggest risk of going without IP leadership?
A: Decisions around innovation get made reactively instead of strategically – and by the time you notice, it’s often too late.

Common Challenges Without IP Advisory

“When IP strategy comes late, the cost is higher than most founders expect.”

Q: How does this affect global expansion?
A: Expanding without an IP roadmap can expose you to freedom-to-operate (FTO) risks. You might find your product blocked by existing rights in new markets.

Q: Why does IP matter to funding?
A: VCs look for defensible IP portfolios. Weak filings or lack of filings can lower valuations or cause investors to hesitate.

Q: What about timing of protection?
A: Filing too late may mean competitors get ahead. Filing too early or broadly without strategy may drain resources. Striking the balance is where an IP officer helps.

Q: Isn’t IP mostly about patents?
A: Not at all. A strong IP strategy covers patents, trademarks, trade secrets, designs, and even data – all linked to your growth story.

Why Some Startups File Weak IP (and How to Avoid It)

“Startups don’t always file ‘bad’ IP. But without guidance, filings often miss the full innovation potential.”

• Founders are deep in R&D, focused on solving problems and shipping products.

• Legal and IP jargon feels like a distraction from growth.

• This often leads to narrow or misaligned filings that don’t capture the real business advantage.

• The subtle loss? Opportunities for stronger market positioning, higher valuation, and long-term defensibility.

Q: How can YIPO change this?
A: By translating innovation into strategy – ensuring filings reflect not just your invention, but your business story.

Hire Your IP Officer (YIPO)

Just as climbers trust Sherpas to reach the summit safely, YIPO ensures your innovation journey is sustainable, defensible, and growth-ready.

A Mentor

Translating complex IP into clear, actionable steps.

Helping you navigate risks, growth, and funding requirements.

Acting as an extended part of your leadership team.

A Guide

A Partner

A Protector

Safeguarding your innovation from competitors.

Your IP Officer is

“With Your Own IP Officer, you don’t just protect your ideas – you build IP that attracts partners, investors, and customers.”

How YIPO Works

Discovery

We understand your innovation, goals, and business model.

Mapping

We analyze risks, competitors, and market opportunities.

Execution

We design and implement a tailored IP strategy, filing only what truly matters.

Is YIPO a one-time service or ongoing?
Both. Some customers need project-based advisory; others prefer ongoing engagement, like having a virtual Chief IP Officer on call.

Success Stories

AI Startup from India

An AI startup received a US patent infringement notice and was concerned about potential legal and business risks. Through structured guidance, the team mapped the claims and demonstrated key differences between their technology and the alleged infringing patent. The advisory input helped the startup respond confidently, while also refining their IP filing strategy in India and abroad. This combined effort reduced risk, aligned inventors and legal strategy, and reinforced confidence in their innovation portfolio.

Ayurvedic Research Startup from India

A founder working on herbal research sought to protect a novel formula. With strategic guidance, the company identified the right patenting routes, filed in India, pursued the PCT process, and expanded protection to over ten countries. The advisory support helped align filings with business goals, optimize the strategy for global expansion, and position the company for fundraising. As a result, the product is now under testing in the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with positive market reception in initial launches.

Energy & Power Enterprise

The company wanted to systematize innovation management and IP processes. Through advisory workshops, idea-harvesting sessions, audits, and policy guidance, the organization implemented clear IP policies, integrated IP clauses in HR processes, and onboarded an innovation management platform. Advisory input ensured that valuable ideas were captured, protected, and aligned with business strategy, leading to improved innovation oversight across the enterprise.

Aerospace & Robotics Startups from India

Interactive Tech Startup from Kolkata

Two startups in the aerospace and robotics sectors were exploring patent protection but needed strategic clarity. Advisory guidance helped identify protectable innovations, prioritize filings, and align IP strategy with business objectives. With this structured approach, both companies strengthened their IP portfolios, making them better positioned for scaling, partnerships, and investor engagement.

An interactive tech company wanted to safeguard its software innovations. Through targeted advisory support, they identified key inventions, aligned claims with business goals, and filed patents in India and the US. The guidance provided confidence in protecting core technologies while allowing the team to focus on growth and product development.

Case Studies & Lessons

Success Story: The Anywayup® Cup

Mandy Haberman invented the non-spill training cup (Anywayup®) to solve a real problem: She filed patents, designs, and trademarks proactively. When imitators appeared, her IP protection enabled her to enforce rights and guard her market, while licensing and branding created a sustainable business.

Cautionary Tale: Flash Electronics vs Royal Enfield

Flash Electronics is an Indian component MSME that patented a regulator-rectifier device in 2014. Years later, it alleged that Royal Enfield, a large bike manufacturer, was using a version of that device without proper licensing. This case shows that even when you invent and patent, without clarity in your agreements and without monitoring, enforcement becomes harder — and value may leak. 

Trademark Vigilance: BMW’s Brand Protection Moves

For instance, Chinese firms that registered a name “BMN” with a logo similar to BMW were fined; BMW also acted against domain name misuse and cyber-squatters. These actions show that brand confusion risks are real, and that strong trademarks and enforcement can prevent dilution and misuse.

BMW & Rolls-Royce Trademark

When Volkswagen acquired Rolls-Royce Motors in 1998, they bought the company but not the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand and logo — which were owned by Rolls-Royce plc (the aerospace company). Without the trademark, they couldn’t market cars under the iconic name. BMW, which supplied engines to Rolls-Royce, acquired the brand rights for £40 million, securing both the logo and market advantage.

LESSONS

Even iconic brands can face costly setbacks if IP isn’t properly secured. For startups and SMEs, early IP clarity and strategic protection are essential to avoid similar pitfalls.

Lessons You Can Apply Now

• Prioritize registering IP in markets where you plan to expand.

• Use clear, strong descriptions in patents and trademarks so that protection aligns with your innovation and business.

• Regularly audit your IP landscape: what competitors are doing, where your rights are weak.

• Be prepared to enforce and defend — legal costs can be higher later.

Why Novaro IP?

Recognized in IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists.

Experience with startups, MSMEs, and global innovators.

A practical, business-first approach – not just legal jargon.

Scalable solutions tailored to your stage and budget.

“Novaro IP helps you see IP not as a cost, but as a growth multiplier.”

Final Call to Action

Ready to strengthen your innovation journey?
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let YIPO guide you.

Meet Your IP Officer

About Tanmay Mittal​

IP Advisory & AI Solutions | IAM 300 | WIPO Change Maker​

Mechanical engineer with 14+ years of global IP solutioning expertise. Recognized in IAM300 Global IP Strategy leaders for 3years in a row. Co-Founder of Novaro IP Research.

Key Achievements

• Trained and mentored 5,000+ Professionals in IP and innovation.​

• Built IdeaVerse, DocketVerse and several other tools in IP. ​

• Set up footprint for SagaciousElevate in India, Middle-east and Europe.​

• Served 700+ customers successfully​

• Co-Author on WIPO Green 100 Index, Top50 MSME in India.

Technical Expertise

• Aerospace​

• Drones/UAVs​

• Electric Vehicles​

• Autonomous Vehicles​

• Engines​

• Hydraulics​

• Drilling and oil rigs​

• Packaging and Robotics

Core IP Capabilities

• Use of AI in IP​

• IP and Innovation Workshops​

• Invention Harvesting​

• IP Portfolio Development & Strategy​

• Competitive Landscapes​

• Technology Scouting​

• Patent Drafting