Developing a portfolio of intellectual property is hard work. Businesses expend significant resources, in time and money, developing these portfolios, and naturally feel aggrieved when their rights are not respected. Enforcement of IP rights can be an important business tool to protect the investment in an invention, a design or a brand identity. A variety of options are possible for defending your IP rights, but the courts are the only authority that can grant an [...]

Copyright acknowledged: Startups.co.uk There are several circumstances in which you will need to apply to your local authority for planning permission before you can change or alter your business premises. You may want to extend or change your retail, warehouse or office space. You may want to turn part of your home into a more official business location. You may also need to change the commercial classification of your business premises. In all of these [...]

The recent upsurge of media interest in personal identity theft has provided a reminder that company identity theft is still a major problem for UK incorporated businesses who are being encouraged to “take ownership of their own public record” to combat company filing fraud in a new white paper by accountancy software developer, Digita. There are over two million company records held by Companies House which currently reports that of the 500,000 documents filed each [...]

The everywoman conference – a dedicated event for female entrepreneurs – takes place in November, at the Hotel Russell in London. The National everywoman Conference provides a day of learning and networking, and the opportunity for women to learn about all aspects of growing a business, in a fun and friendly environment. Allegra McEvedy,and other successful, high profile entrepreneurs will share their journeys to business success and offer inspirational tips on how to generate fresh [...]

On 31 July, local authorities will be writing to local businesses offering them the option to spread payment of this year’s inflation up-rating to business rates over three years, under new legislation announced by the government in March. Business rates are adjusted every April in line with the Retail Prices Index for the previous September. The new measure is designed to smooth the effects of the spike in inflation of 5 per cent in September, [...]