There is an excellent article from an Inventors point of view in todays Irish times. Richard North who runs Wow! and is a prolific inventor of toys discusses his strategy around protecting his Intellectual Property. It is distilled in summary form as follows:

Is it worth the effort in bringing counterfeiters to justice: it is if the product has a defendable competitive advantage; the product has a longevity potential; you have the money and the energy.

It is not worth it if: it a one season wonder product; you dont have the budget to keep supporting the product in the marketplace; you arent patient and tenacious.

This is good advice to anyone who is considering spending a fortune on European or Worldwide patents.

Healy O’Connor Solicitors Cork and Dublin.