ISO 27001 Intellectual property rights is a set of guidelines that helps organisations protect their intellectual property (IP). This includes things like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The main idea is to make sure your company has clear rules about how to keep its valuable ideas and creations safe. This control is about following the law and having good practices to prevent your special information from being used without permission. It’s a key part of making sure a company’s unique work stays its own.
Examples
- Copyrights: A software company has code that it wrote itself. The company must make sure its employees know that this code is protected by copyright law and should not be shared or copied without permission. They might use a policy that states this clearly.
- Trademarks: A business uses a special logo on its products. To protect this trademark, the business makes sure all its marketing materials and product packaging use the logo correctly. The company also tells staff not to use the logo in ways that are not approved.
- Trade Secrets: A food company has a secret recipe for its famous sauce. The company limits who knows the recipe and requires employees who do know it to sign agreements saying they will not share it.
Context
This control is important because intellectual property is often a company’s most valuable asset. Losing control of IP can lead to big problems, such as losing money or losing a competitive advantage. This control helps companies build a strong defense against such risks. It is not just about what is on paper; it is also about creating a culture where everyone understands the value of IP and helps protect it. Following these rules shows that a company is serious about keeping its most important information secure.
Relevant ISO 27001 Controls
The following controls from the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard are related to intellectual property rights:
