In the 12-month YES Company Programme, young people set up mini-companies. Under fairly realistic conditions, they establish a business and launch a product. As a main partner of the programme, the IPI holds workshops to explain the vital role of IP to the YES participants. At the trade fair – the semi-final stage of the programme – IPI expert Matthias Käch asked the teams about their approach to IP. The trade fair took place from 24 to 27 March in Zurich main station.
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“If someone leaves, the company should still be able to move forward”
Mini-companies recently showcased their products at the Young Enterprise Switzerland (YES) trade fair in Zurich. At the same time, an expert from the IPI put their knowledge of intellectual property (IP) to the test.
IP expert Matthias Käch interviewed the small businesses. Photo: IGE
“Learning for the future”
We caught up with Matthias Käch at a stand, where he was talking to a team, nodding and jotting down his comments in the evaluation form. “The teams are very committed,” he concluded a few hours later. The first day was over. He said that all the teams had dived in to the topic of IP and taken the opportunity to learn something that they can benefit from in the future. By the end of the week, Matthias Käch will have interviewed 75 mini-companies – all potential candidates for the IPI’s IP Management Award.
Contracts are key
Contracts are key for mini-companies, according to the expert. For those wanting to continue their projects in the future, it’s particularly crucial that they protect themselves legally – for example, in regard to the use of logos or other copyright-protected content. “If someone leaves, the company should still be able to move forward,” emphasised Käch.
What motivates him in his work is the long-term impact: “We equip the participants with knowledge for the future.” He explained that it’s important for them to get to grips with IP in their own projects so that it’s not just abstract. Another major strength of the YES programme is that it enables the IPI to get through to people who would otherwise be difficult to reach, he added. “If you read the teams’ IP management reports, there’s a lot that SMEs could learn from them.”
Three teams and their IP stories
Crystal (tea)
The discussions about intellectual property provided the team with many practical tips, for example on contracts regarding photos and logos. “There was a lot we weren’t aware of before. Thanks to the interview with Mr Käch, we’ve gained a much deeper understanding of IP,” said Alison de Icco. The team was particularly surprised by just how complex it is to build and protect a brand: “Even minor differences in the spelling of a brand name don’t automatically protect you against the legal risks if there are similarities in sound, meaning or product category,” added Katia Horak.
https://www.crystal-the.ch
Aacho (tea)
Max Riniker (CEO) and Etienne Schade (CMO) are responsible for intellectual property management at Aacho. “The information on IP has been a great help to our mini-company,” said Max. Talking to the participants, it quickly became clear that they’ve explored the subject in depth. They stressed that it’s essential to have clear processes and guidelines for dealing with IP rights. Aacho keeps thorough records and uses contracts to clarify its rights. They added that there’s a lot more involved than just posting here and there when it comes to using images, music or podcasts. Even with seemingly minor details like background music, you need to ensure that you have the correct licences: “You can’t just use whatever you want,” said Etienne.
https://www.aacho-yes.ch
Soaplee (soap)
The Soaplee team also underlined the importance of clear rules: “Contracts are the most important thing,” said Hasnain Saeed, the CEO and IP Manager. He said that contracts are crucial both within the company and in dealings with partners – for example, in relation to products or the handling of rights. He added that the team has also gained a better understanding of the differences between copyright, patents and design protection thanks to the IPI. “We avoid infringing any rights – to images, music or other content,” he explained. They’re also more aware of the need to protect their own assets through design and trade mark protection, for example. The company has clearly defined the rights to its logo: “The designer has the copyright. We have the right of use – we’ve set that out in the contract.”
https://www.soaplee.ch
The final of the YES Company Programme will take place on 29 and 30 May in the concourse of Zurich main station. The coveted ‘Company of the Year’ award will be presented, as well as other prizes, including the IPI’s IP Management Award.
