Protecting Your Startup's Intellectual Property

For startups, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset. Here's how to protect it from day one.

Types of IP Protection

Protect your brand name, logo, and tagline. Registration with KIPI (Kenya Industrial Property Institute) gives you exclusive rights nationwide.

Automatically protects original creative works — software code, content, designs. Registration with KECOBO strengthens enforcement.

Protect novel inventions and processes. Requires registration with KIPI and grants exclusive rights for 20 years.

Protect confidential business information through NDAs and internal policies.

*Audit your IP — Identify all intellectual property assets

Register trademarks — Protect your brand early

Use NDAs — Before sharing ideas with partners or investors

Copyright your code — Register key software with KECOBO

Employee IP clauses — Ensure employment contracts assign IP to the company

Trademark registration: ~KES 15,000–30,000

Patent application: ~KES 50,000–150,000

Copyright registration: ~KES 5,000–10,000

Don't wait until there's a dispute. Protect your IP from the start. Contact our IP team for a comprehensive strategy.*